From Don Covington

ashton-729-420x0, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Phyllis and Doug Ashton, in 1992. Photo: Graham Tidy, The Canberra Times. Doug Ashton, the patriarch of the world's longest family-run circus, died as he lived his life - on tour, in his caravan. Mr Ashton passed away this morning aged 92, after a year-long battle with cancer. Family friend and spokesman John MacDonnell said Mr Ashton died in his caravan in Perth, on tour with his grandson's Circus Joseph Ashton. "He wanted to die in his caravan and he succeeded, he didn't want to die in hospital," Mr MacDonnell said. Mr Ashton never had to run away to join the circus - he was born into the family business and went on the road when he was just six days old. Ashton's Circus was started by his great grandfather, James Henry Ashton, in 1847. Mr Ashton lived most of his life in a caravan, only moving into his granddaughter's home in recent years and, as a child, used to ride the circus elephants in the street. Through the circus he met his wife, Phyllis, whose parents were members of the company. They married when he was 16 and she 17. Together they toured the country and had three children while on the road - Lorraine, Mervyn and Jan. After World War II, they took the helm and turned Ashton's into Australia's biggest and best-known circus. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, they had an enormous entourage of elephants, tigers, lions, monkeys, parrots, a giraffe, bear and even a hyena. At its peak there were more than 120 people, 80 animals and millions of dollars worth of equipment travelling the country. There were also trips to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Mr Ashton and his wife, who died 10 years ago, performed as many as 12 acts in the ring, including elephant rider, clown and trapeze artist. At one stage there were 38 family members working for the circus, building an impressive family dynasty. Mr MacDonnell said it was accepted that Ashton's was the longest running family-owned circus in the world. He said Mr Ashton also started Australia's first lion parks - in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Loganlea in Queensland and Raymond Terrace, NSW. For many years they bred and supplied lions and tigers for many parts of the world, Mr MacDonnell said. They also employed Tommy Hanlon Jnr for a short period when he finished his television career. Mr Ashton represented Australia at the Festival of the World's Greatest Circuses in Monte Carlo. In 1996, Mr Ashton and his wife were awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the entertainment industry and charity.