South Yorkshire Times March 12, 1949

J Verdi Popple, Mexborough Green Room Club’s Chairman, producer, started acting when he was about 10. In a varied career since then he has packed almost every phase of stagecraft: playing, producing, play-writing, broadcasting, society forming and the prospect of appearing on the films.

In his earliest stage experience as a boy he assisted the first Teachers’ Operatic Society in the effects department when the Society produced their Gilbert and Sullivan pieces.

Later Mr. Popple performed with Wombwell Thespians and then with Barnsley Shakesperean Society, where he met the celebrated Henry Ainley.

Before and during the 1914-18 war he became a concert artist, giving Dickens character studies and character monologues. Mr Popple performed with the Royal Engineers both at home and abroad.

He appeared before Lord and Lady Saville, the Duchess of Rutland and Lady Diana Manners at a Staunton Hall concert.