Gertie was born Gertrude MariaAstbury in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK on 28th December 1887. Her father, Gulielmi Astbury, worked as a Foreman in a pottery. Her mother, Lavinie Kilkenny Astbury, was a teacher at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic School in Cobridge, When Gertie was three years old, the family moved to live in Hanley.
The story goes that Gertie was spotted singing in the street by a talent scout from Tompkinson’s Royal Gypsy Children’s Troupe, and was signed up to sing with them.
Gertie’s professional career began in 1898 when she was eight years old at The Tivoli theatre in Barrow-in Furness, Lancashire. She had a significant billing at The Argyle Theatre in Birkenhead, Wirral in 1898, before making her first appearance at a London theatre in 1900. Shen she was seventeen, Gertie topped the bill at The Ardwick Empire in Manchester.
Her stage name - Gertie Gitana- is believed to have been taken from the Spanish or French word for Gypsy - possibly because of Gertie's dark good looks.
Gertie had an illustrious career as a musical hall star, drawing crowds and at the height of her career, receiving in excess of £100 a week. Gertie's signature tune was"Nellie Dean" and during WW1 she entertained the wounded in hospitals around the country, gaining the nick-name "the Forces Sweethert". In 1928, Gertie married the music hall entertainer Don Ross (1903 - 1980), who was her leading man in the musical comedy "Dear Louise".
Two musical shows were specially written for her 'Nellie Dean' and 'Dear Louise'. Gertie also appeared in a Royal Command Performance.
Don started the road show "Thanks For The Memory" for his wife.
Gertie gave her final performance at the Empress Theatre in Brixton in 1938. She died in 1957 and was buried in Welford Road cemetery in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. Don, who founded the British Music Hall Society and was its first Chairman, died in 1980.
Her name lives on on Cockney rhyming slang - Gertie Gitana - banana
Gertie is reputed to have financed her brother, George Astbury, who was a cycle dealer and builder of G.A. cycles at 42, Great Cambridge Road, London, N.17
Frederick Street in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent was renamed Gitana Street in her memory
On Princes Street, Edinburgh (up near the galleries), there is a bench which just says: "In loving remembrance of Gertie Gitana Music Hall Artiste "There's an old mill by the stream, Nellie Dean."
One of Gertie's successful songs was
“Never Mind”
'So he wants you to forget him,' says a grey haired man in tears
As he reads his daughter's letter still a girl of tender years
'He has left you for another who has crept into his heart
Forget him and forgive him 'twould be better so to part'
Then to his breast he takes her head as tenderly to her he said,
Chorus: 'Though your heart may ache awhile, never mind
Though your face may lose it's smile, never mind
For there's sunshine after rain, and then gladness follows pain
You'll be happy once again, never mind.'
'In his love he may have faltered as his letter seems to say
There will be a bright tomorrow, darkest clouds will fly away
Time will be the wonder worker, though it's hard I know to part
He may tire of his new love and creep back into your heart
Love like pride must have it's fall, true love will conquer after all.
Chorus: 'Though your heart may ache awhile, never mind
Though your face may lose it's smile, never mind
For there's sunshine after rain, and then gladness follows pain
You'll be happy once again, never mind.'
Written and composed by Harry Dent and Tom Goldbourne
Performed by Gertie Gitana (1887-1957)
http://www.thepotteries.org/did_you/008.htm
http://voices-of-variety.com/don-ross-and-thanks-for-the-memory/
