J. W. Rickaby

J. W. Rickaby (born James Emanuel Platt; 1870 – 1 October 1929) was an English music hall comedian.

Biography He was born in Weymouth, Dorset, the son of a colour sergeant in the 7th Royal Lancashire Militia, and grew up in Manchester. He married Martha Ann Waite in 1894.

Rickaby began as a serious actor and baritone singer, but discovered he could make a better living as a comic entertainer and first appeared as such in music halls in 1904. He performed in a shabby frock coat, battered top hat, old boots and spats.

He toured Australia in 1908. One review said of him: "He is a comedian with a good deal of genuine humor, which he exhibited in amusing burlesques of various types of character, such as a British soldier with a capacity for enjoyment, a sailor, and a policeman. These were hit off in such a manner as to keep the audience laughing heartily during his turns."

His song "Major General Worthington", composed by Ted Waite (writer of "I've Never Seen a Straight Banana"), extolled the virtues of Worthington ale. It was covered by Barry Dransfield on his self-titled 1972 album.

Rickaby died in London in 1929, and was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery.