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Professor Nomis 1867 to 1956

Summary of the life of Simon Cross (Professor Nomis) 1867-1956

Having been born in Christ Church, Cambridge, at the age of 12 years, Simon walked to Leicester in order to seek out one of his elder brothers. He entertained his school friends with sleight of hand tricks and in 1879, when considered good enough, appeared at The Winter Gardens in Leicester. His first major breakthrough appears to have been in 1881 when he was billed as Professor Nomis – the Great Wizard King, at Leicester’s Empire Theatre.

During the 1880’s and 1890’s, ventriloquism became a new craze and Professor Nomis had the desire to be rated with the best, working hard to put together a great performance. He gained the opportunity to appear with a Vaudeville Company enabling him to tour the country, giving shows of his own in counties such as, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

Leaving Leicester towards the end of 1889 and taking work as a Trawler Fisherman in Spalding, he joined The Charles Bullmore’s Theatrical Company during 1890, playing at the Corn Exchange in Spalding. It was whilst on this engagement that he married Rose Hannah Smith, setting up home and raising their family on Commercial Road. Her father William Thomas Smith was the Innkeeper of the George & Dragon, being known around town as ‘Dragon Smith’. Simon and Rose Hannah moved to Edward Road in 1937.

10th February 1892 a Public Tea and Grand Entertainment was held to raise funds for at St John Baptist National Schools, Spalding and the following week he put on a show at the Masonic Hall

From 1894 Simon’s career now includes acting, as one playbill shows him playing the role of The Marquis de Couragemont in the production of Belphegor held at The Pavilion Theatre, Piedcalf Yard, Spalding.

Simon was intiated into the R.A.O.B. in 1900, being Secretary of the Spalding Lodge for many years Over a period of time, he was founder of thirteen Lodges and affiliated to forty two minor Lodges. Over the years he visited Lodges in Leicester & Syston, amongst others, where he was received with great respect, being well renowned for entertaining other members with his magic. Still being an active member and having held the position of City Secretary for over 40 years, his Golden Jubilee was celebrated at the grand old age of 84 years

Over the years he appears in Fancy Dress Parades, a notable one being in May 1935 on the day of the celebrations for the Jubliee of King George V and Queen Mary, involving The Anchor Hackers and Roaring Bulls.

Having survived two world wars, he continued to do his best to lighten the lives of people, joining many times at the Spalding Corn Exchange with other local entertainers, such as Beezo Pepper and Syd Swain.

The public and press alike have quoted that Professor Nomis was the Best Manipulator of the day. He was the holder of more medals and presentations than any other Artist exhibiting this class of entertainment.

Professor Nomis was greatly blessed with the ability to make others happy and that is surely the greatest of rich blessings!

Written by Veronica Liquorish his Great Granddaughter. Veronica would love to get your memories please comment or email or send your thoughts to the Spalding Guardian.

To read article in Spalding Guardian click here

Vistor comments

43 Responses

  1. Hello all
    My name is Jeff Cox and reside in Australia
    It seems although we are related as I am also a great grand son from my mothers side
    My mother was Simons daughters daughter

    Thank you to all

    1. Hi I am not related but I know a lady who is and and has wealth of information.i will email her email address. Regards Geoff

      1. Hi please tell us more. I have another relative can I forward your email.
        Regards
        Geoff

  2. Hello, I am also a relative, I think my great great grandfather. My father was son of lily, Simon’s granddaughter!

  3. hi im also a relative im the daughter of the son of lily who is the granddaughter of simon

  4. Good afternoon please could you email me some information as I am really interested in y family history

    1. Are you interested in Professor Nomis specifically? If yes I have a contact of a lady who has done a lot of research. Keep safe. Geoff

        1. Hi Michelle,

          Having been researching my Great Grandfather for many years, it’s great to know of family who I haven’t yet come across. I’ve attempted to find your connection and believe it to be through my 2nd cousin Tony & his wife Linda. Please correct me if I am wrong. I had the joy of meeting them both for the first time in May 2010. After that we kept in contact via e’mail, occasional telephone calls and of course Christmas. I look forward to hearing back from you.

          Kind regards,

          Veronica

          1. Hi veronica thank you so much for getting back to me please feel free to contact me direct. I would love to find out more about my family how would you like to exchange contact details many thanks Michelle

          2. Hi Veronica
            Will Cox here another great grandson.
            I have taken the liberty of creating a Facebook page in the hope we can gather further information. It’s called ….
            Professor Nomis Family Page and has photos from this article as the profile pic.
            I hope everyone will take advantage of it.
            Thank you

        2. Hi Michelle,

          I sent you an e’mail on the 1st of May. As I haven’t heard back from you I was wondering if you are OK, particularly bearing in mind the current situation we are all experiencing.

          Do hope to hear from you. Best wishes,

          Veronica

  5. I am Michelle’s sister Angela and would also love to make contact with other family members

    1. Hi Angela,

      Having been researching my Great Grandfather for many years, it’s great to know of family who I haven’t yet come across. I’ve attempted to find your connection and believe it to be through my 2nd cousin Tony & his wife Linda. Please correct me if I am wrong. I had the joy of meeting them both for the first time in May 2010. After that we kept in contact via e’mail, occasional telephone calls and of course Christmas. Having just sent a message to your sister Michelle, I look forward to hearing back from you also.

      Kind regards, Veronica

  6. Hi Veronica . I am Michael Cross great grandson of Professor Nomis . I have been trying to post a comment on this site but it has failed to go through ,. I would love to hear from you . Can you let me if you receive this . Kind regards .

  7. I believe that Simon Cross was my great great grandfather. I believe that I have communicated with Veronica previously whilst researching Simons grandson (my grandfather), Frank Wing jr.

      1. Hi Betty
        My name is Bill (William) Cox and my mum was Betty Wing also. Frank was also my grandfather so I am assuming we are cousins. I am brother to Mick and Jeff who have both posted here. I am curious to know who your father was I am assuming mum’s brother Frank. I am thinking we need a Facebook page for the Prof Nomis family to help us all piece together the information. Although 60 now (2022) I have had a career since my late teens entertaining as a DJ for many years now as a professional MC for a number of events and also Amatuer Theatre. Never really knowing about Simon Cross until much later but rather exercising the urge that is, entertaining the public.
        Please make contact with me via will@malabarfarm.com.au so I can further my knowledge on family business and perhaps get to know you more.
        Thanks
        Will

  8. Hi Ryan,

    Our communication goes back a long way. Would I be correct in thinking that your parents were Elsie May (nee Wing) & Frederick Arnold Freeman?

    I trust that you are keeping well and safe.

    Veronica

  9. Hi,
    I am the son of Betty Cox (maiden name – Wing) who migrated along with a number of her other sisters from England to Australia at an early age. Simon Cross was their Gradfather and would perform before them as the late great “Professor Nomis” before his regrettable passing in 1956.
    I learnt about Simon at a early age from my mother Betty, my aunt Jeana (who has a daughter also named Betty) and from another aunt Shiela (who lived in the US) and I was handed down a medal which belonged to Simon Cross, by my aunt Shiela. She sent the medal to me after a number years of talking to her on the phone from here in Australia.

    I counciled Shiela on the phone who said,
    “i also had a gift and that, one day i would walk in Simon’s shoes”..?
    You see just like my Great-Grandfather I am also a working Clairvoyant who brings the experience to a number of people most days here in Beenliegh Australia, near the Gold Coast
    My partner Arlene & I often travel the state and into the neighbouring state of NSW where i am often guest speaker at any of the many Spiritualist Churches.
    We also give the gift of healing.
    God Bless – Michael David Cox
    theholygrailofsciencebook@gmail.com

  10. Hi from Janet (Wing),
    Professor Nomis was my grandad (Simon) and i was the most popular with visiting his shows. I would often go to his home with my mother, Amelie Wing and sister Betty (at the early age of 4) and can remember his tricks like it was just yesterday.
    We were his practice audience although everything was of a professional manner without any mistakes.

    I loved my grandfather and all of his entertaining gifts, my saddest memory was that he could hardly walk the last time i saw him.

    Best wishes to all of our family.
    Janet Dawson (Wing)

    1. Thanks for your memories
      Can I share your email with a lady who is doing family research – Geoff

      1. Hi Geoff,

        I’m Michael (Mick) David Cox. (58) 2020,
        I was the son of Betty Cox (Wing), Janet Dawson (Wing) is my Aunt along with Sheila, Gracie, Connie, Elsie & brother Frankie (crikey mate I’m so ashamed I can’t remember them all) but there were 12 brothers and sisters (9) and two of the other siblings had passed away at a very very young age. I remember my grandfather Frank who married Amelia who was Simon’s daughter but I never met Amelia my grandmother.
        mickcox500@gmail.com

    2. Hello again,
      Just briefly to mention that,
      This comment by Janet Dawson was placed here by me (mick cox) which was recited by our Aunt Janet.
      She had some difficulty at the time to saying what she wanted to say but was only slightly amended…
      I am diagnosed recently with Aspergers Syndrome (high functioning)..
      Talks with several people including a Proffessor of Aspergers for about 1hr has helped…
      An incredible downhill mountain bike gifted to me by the father of a lad who suffered severely from high functioning helped a great deal also, especially through the hands-on experience..
      Thanks for your acceptance..
      Management through nutrician

      I repeat….I have Aspergers Syndrome…they don’t even recognise me for this..
      It is nearly impossible without large funding to get proper diagnosis…

      To say just one thing…

      “I am not blowing my own whistle which my father taught me at a young age to do
      I am simply trying to point out that

      *I am now in the history books when they trace back the first origins 6-7yrs ago plus the book*
      It is honestly a very modest statement
      Blessings

      Tesla wrote before hid passing
      “The only thing he ever received was ridicule”

    3. Hello again,
      Just briefly to mention that,
      This comment by Janet Dawson was placed here by me (mick cox) which was recited by our Aunt Janet.
      She had some difficulty at the time to saying what she wanted to say but was only slightly amended…
      I am diagnosed recently with Aspergers Syndrome (high functioning)..
      Talks with several people including a Proffessor of Aspergers for about 1hr has helped…
      An incredible downhill mountain bike gifted to me by the father of a lad who suffered severely from high functioning helped a great deal also, especially through the hands-on experience..
      Thanks for your acceptance..
      Management through nutrician

      I repeat….I have Aspergers Syndrome…they refuse to even recognise that fact

      To say just one thing…

      “I am not blowing my own whistle which my father taught me at a young age to do
      I am simply trying to point out that

      *I am now in the history books when they trace back the first origins 6-7yrs ago plus the book*
      It is honestly a very modest statement
      Blessings

      Tesla wrote before his passing
      “The only thing he ever received was ridicule”

  11. Hello, I am a relative of Simon.
    I have a book/manuscript written by Benjamin Walter Cross (simons grandson).
    I have some other paperwork also in Simon. I’d love to learn more, or even share what I already know about my Great Great Grandfather.

    1. We would love to share any information you have. Do you know Veronica Liquorish vpl47@hotmail.co.uk
      She seems to be a fund of information about Simon. I am sure she would help.
      Regards
      Geoff

  12. Hi,
    Mick Cox again
    (great grandson who does Mediumship shows and Science shows back-back)
    and
    A Very Merry Christmas to all…(2023)…!

    Please take the time to search a video now locked into history for it’s greatness in discovery..
    for
    I have re-discovered Rainbows which are generated by the forced bending of a section of a (or many depending on the number of Rainbows formed) Magnetic Earth Lay-Line…

    The approx 16 facts of supporting evidence which infaticly prove to you as the viewer that science got it wrong…ooops I’m not allowed to say that…

    But
    Within the first 3-5 sec you will see & agree with that somewhat egotistical statement above…

    Please enjoy the first 5sec’s of the video at the link on youtube below here or please find the time to search and discover greatness once again within the family because i will undoubtedly become postumous…

    You will find the discovery of evidence at

    “RAINBOWS-R-MAGNETIC – 37min
    by
    Mick Cox (youtube)
    THE FULL VIDEO OF FACTS – 37min

    I am the Minister (ordained)
    of
    SACRED PATH SPIRITUALIST MINISTRY
    (I hope & pray that I’m not offensive in any way by announcing that here to any of my relotives who may be christians)

    I’ve only revently (2021) learnt to some degree how to read and write…as i am extremely dyslexic

    I’m a well known incredibly gifted Medium in these parts and my mother always spoke of the Mediumship and Clairvoyance by Simon Cross as The Great Professor Nomis…

    Upon request…
    Coming to Englsnf and the u.k again soon

    Please enjoy what you will now discover in the Rainbow video just as i did within 10sec of watching one somple video during covid dpraying in the asian country by a huge truck which displayed a rainbow behind..

    The vapour is simply highlighting the magnetic energy….

    My book is actually the greater discovery titled

    “THE HOLY GRAIL OF SCIENCE”

    Yours in truth & faith
    Mick Cox
    Your relative here in OZ…

    PS:- I always have a spare room here in Beenleigh and never speak of any of my wotrk unless ssked

    35Ks from the incredible Gold Coast

    again
    Merry Christmas to you all over there and everywhere else in the world

    All of out family is now going to further heights of fame due to my work
    Thx for looking

  13. RAINBOWS ARE MAGNETIC*
    BY
    MICK COX
    *TRADEMARKED REGISTERED* IN MY NAME…(finally)…I had to save up..

    Coming to England next year…
    To teach about Rainbows…
    before some one takes it
    Blessings
    Mick
    I apologize for the over exhuberance

  14. RAYNE BOWS R MAGNETIC
    BY
    Mic cox
    All
    *TRADEMARKED REGISTERED* IN MY NAME…(finally)…I had to save up..
    your website wouldn’t accept my comment

    Coming to England next year…
    To teach about Rainbows…
    before some one takes it
    Blessings
    Mick
    I apologize for the over exhuberance

  15. RAYNE BOWS R MAGNETIC
    BY
    Mic cox
    All
    *TRADEMARKED REGISTERED* IN MY NAME…(finally)…I had to save up..

  16. CITENGAM ERA SWOBNIAR*

    FINALLY *TRADEMARKED REGISTERED

    UNDER MICK COX finally saved enough $$
    Blessings
    Mick

  17. CITENGAM ERA SWOBNIAR*

    FINALLY *TRADEMARKED REGISTERED

    UNDER XOC KCIM finally saved enough $$

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Simon & Ally Sloper's Half Holiday c 1891