Elias Harris born during 1905 son of Elias and Amellia Harris of the Eastern counties and well known showland family. Elias Harris Jnr later on in life became one of the best "Wall Of Death Riders" of his time putting on fantastic riding shows which thrilled people for decades.

On the 27th November 1930 Elias Harris Jnr married the grand-daughter of Pat Collins the great showman, the grand daughter was Margaret Collins.
As a gift to the newly weds Pat Collins gave Elias and Margaret a "Wall Of Death" ,which they both rode togther to amaze on-lookers.
Elias Harris was given the nickname "Hardy Harris" but that wasn't the only nickname, he was given more later.

Sadly on the 10th January 1934, Margaret died and Elias moved from the Midlands with the Wall Of Death. His show did appear at Bedford in May 1937 On the 23rd September the same year, marked Elias' second marriage to Evelyn Baker daughter of Dan and Elizabeth a showland family from the southern counties, thought to have a set of gallopers during the 1940's.
Also the same year saw the arrival of Anthony D Harris on the 22nd of April and four years later Julia harris on the 4th July.

Lorry of today with Elias Harris' name signed to the front

Moving on in years, 1952 saw a new ride being travelled by Elias, namely the Octopus Elias travelled with Stanley Thurston and as the need for mechical rides were in demand, the Wall Of Death was retired and was last ridden in 1954.
The same year saw the welcome return to the Midlands for the Harris' with the highly polished Octopus, Skid, and Jets. All the well maintianed equipment made its debut at the Onion Fair where they went every year after

Elias helped John Collins with the adiministration of the Collins Funfair and was made manager until Elias retired in 1979.
Elias was personaly know to his workers as "THE GUV'NOR" another nickname he collected.
The workers of Harris'Funfair respected Elias for his management skills and knowledge he attained throughout his life as a fine showman. There are still retired funfair workers from the past that I have spoken to who remember the fond memories of "THE GUV'NOR", telling me that "The guv was a straight talking kind of man, a take it or leave it and got things done no matter what and neither scared or bullied".
It was reported for a small framed man Elias could pack a great punch but with all that into consideration Elias Harris ran his fairs with perfect timing and the presentation of the fairs was always foremost before anything else.
The same remains today with the Anthony Harris funfair rides and transport fleet.