Stories Of London

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When Jackie was 18 years old, in September 1941, he married his first wife, Miss Flora Joan Howling who preferred to be called Penny. She was born in April 1919 in Wandsworth, London, and was 23 years of age at the time of their wedding, which took place in Surrey in January 1942.

In 1952, Jackie and Penny decided to move to Canada. He had obtained a position at a Montreal radio station, where he was to broadcast on air several times a week. He also secured a position as conductor of a Hungarian Gypsy Orchestra, which often played at the opening of shows airing on Montreal’s first television station, CBFT, which had just begun transmitting. 

Radio & Television Station Logos

While living in Montreal, Jackie learned to enjoy the very long winter months by Speed Skating and playing Ice Hockey.

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One of Jackie’s favourite Romani pieces that he conducted with the Gypsy Orchestra was A Hajnal Már Nem Simogat, which when translated from the Hungarian, is Dawn No Longer Caresses.

Kapitány Anni (Captain Anna) singing A Hajnal Már Nem Simogat

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Jackie recorded several songs as conductor of the Eddie Macdonald Orchestra. These songs were The Bridge of Sighs, written by Billy Reid (1902-1974, and When you hear Big Ben, written by Harry Leon (1901-1970), Mark Malloy and Jack Scott. Since they were recorded in 1953, they were produced most likely during his time in Canada.

Sadly, the photographs used in the making of this collage are of poor quality

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Unfortunately I have not been able to obtain copies of his recordings. However these tunes have been recorded by other artists:

David Whitfield (1925-1980) – The Bridge of Sighs (recorded in 1953)

Vera Lynn (1917-2020) – When you hear Big Ben (recorded in 1953)

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When Jackie and Penny moved to Canada, his friend, Bert Herbert E. Cowling, also moved to Montreal. Together, the friends purchased a petrol station-cum-repair shop. Their plan was for Bert to run the garage full-time while Jackie took time away to work at the radio and television stations and and other means to continue his musical career including the making of records.

Jackie at a lake with the family dog

Penny and Jackie’s marriage did not work out and she eventually left him and took up with Bert. Jackie remained in Canada for two years before deciding to return to the U.K. early in 1954. Although Penny did not accompany him, he did bring his Ice Hockey equipment with him!

Ice Hockey Equipment

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Penny and Bert remained in Montreal, however they later returned to the U.K. and were married in October 1954 in Coventry. Unfortunately, their relationship ended soon afterwards.

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