The first mention to “Harry Cowle” appears in Adelaide in March 1865 when an advertisement for Ashton’s Royal Anglo-Saxon Circus mentions that “The spotted pony Butterfly will take Tea each evening with the Merry Clown and Jester, Mr Harry Cowle” (South Australian Register, 25 March 1865, p. 1). Coles had probably arrived in Australia a short time before this first colonial appearance. By November 1866, he had been engaged as a clown with Burton’s National Circus (Ballarat Star, 30 November 1866, p. 2)

At Deniliquin in 1867, Coles married Mrs Jenny Cousins, the widow of the circus proprietor John Plevy Bumpuss, professional known as Reuben Cousins, who had died in Batavia the previous year while on tour with his Oriental Circus. Harry and Jenny Coles had three children. Coles died in Sydney in January 1879. Later that year, Jenny re-married to Burton’s agent, William Woodyear.

“Most of our readers will recollect Harry Cowle, for many years clown with Burton’s and other circuses. We notice by the Sydney papers that he died on the 5th instant, of dropsy. His real name was Cole; and some years ago he held a position in one of the banks, which he resigned to join one Liston; and they started on a professional tour, “doing” Kiandra, Tumut, Gundagai, and other places. Subsequently they joined Pablo Fanque’s circus at Tumut, and there for the first time Harry Cowle made his appearance as clown, and for years after followed the profession. Madam Rosierre, who is one of Burton’s circus troupe, is Cowle’s wife.” (Gundagai Times, 14 January 1879, p. 2).

With Burton’s National Circus, Ballarat, 1866

“… The whole of the serious and sensational business is well diversified with witticisms and practical jokes by two capital clowns, Messrs Harry Cowle and Holland, who are well up on their business …” (Ballarat Star, 30 November 1866, p. 2)

With Burton’s National Circus, Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, 1867

“ … Harry Cowle keeps the place alive by his humourous sayings and his incessant comicalities; the youngsters shout again with laughter. He is a most persevering; and indefatigable circus clown, well worthy of the special favours which he receives. A more interestingly varied, and excellent performance it would be difficult to witness …” (Empire, 5 June 1867, p. 4)

With Burton’s Circus, Adelaide, 1869

“ … The clown was Harry Cowle, one of the best circus jesters that has ever been here.

He had an inexhaustible stock of jokes and snatches of songs, all of which were free from the

slightest coarseness …” (Evening Journal, 4 October 1869, p. 2)