In 1915 at the age of seven, Mervyn King, an orphan, was given to St. Leons Circus . He spent his entire life performing in the ring as an acrobat, lion tamer, boss tentman, and animal trainer. He started Silver's Circus in 1946 by breaking in a first class lion act, buying and training show horses, surplus army tents and other equipment. It became one of the best organised, best looking and popular circuses in the country.