RootsChat.Com
Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: Garethboxing on Saturday 05 June 10 18:04 BST (UK)
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I hope I may be permitted to use the immense resources of this site to appeal for information on a number of former boxers from the Merthyr, Aberdare and Pontypridd areas, whom I would like to profile in a forthcoming book.
If any members are related to any of the following, perhaps they would be so kind as to PM me. I would be glad to reciprocate with pictures (where I have them) and boxing records.
From Merthyr:: Dai Beynon, George and Danny Dando, George Hatto, Ted James, Llew and Pritch Probert, Derek Richards, Tim Sheehan, Tommy Smith and Billy Ward.
From Aberdare (and Hendon): Charlie Chew.
From Pontypridd: Walter and Francis Rossi, Charlie Hazel, Jackie Hughes, Jack Joseph, Cliff Morris, Dennis Rowley, Dan Thomas (alias Dan Pontypridd) and Ivor Thomas.
Keeping my fingers crossed!
Regards, Gareth
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Hi
Do you know of this boxer from Pontypridd?
Fredrick Hall Thomas reinvented himself as Freddie Welsh. Having left Pontypridd for a new life in America he began his boxing career in Philadelphia
from the book Occupation Prizefighter the Freddie Welsh story by Andrew Gallimore
ISBN 978-1-85411-395-5 published 2006
Also what name is on the plaque outside the old picture place opposite the White Heart in Pontypridd? Where this boxer used to practice/train
I just cannot remember his name?
cheers cardiff ;)
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I certainly do know of Freddie Welsh and have read Andrew Gallimore's excellent biography. The big names of the area pose no problems - it's the lesser known boxers, named in my list, whose stories are harder to track down.
As for the plaque, I'm afraid I know nothing of it. The White Hart no longer exists, but I know where it used to be and the next time I'm in Ponty I shall investigate.
Regards, Gareth
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Hi
If you cross the road from Ponty station when you reach the otherside turn left towards the flower shop, dont go down into taff street
the plaque is on that wall road side. i will ask a friend who lives in ponty who it is. i know that the white heart as a pub has long gone but the building is still there and thought you would know where i was talking about.
will contact friend now see if he knows.
cheers cardiff
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Hi
friend answered so quick the name is Glen Moody does he ring a bell I bet he does you can tell me now who he was.
cheers cardiff ;)
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Yes, Glen Moody was a Welsh champion as was brother Jack. Their older brother Frank did even better, becoming the first Welsh boxer to win British titles at two different weights.
The three of them will all feature in the book, but I must check out the plaque - it may be worth a photo.
Cheers, Gareth
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Hi
I am sure it is worth a visit and a photo glad I could have been of a little bit of help.Good luck with the book!
cheers cardiff :) ;) :D ;D
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It turns out the plaque commemorates Freddie Welsh. I have to say it sounded strange that Glen Moody would have one, rather than big brother Frank.
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Hi
sorry about that just took friends word. anyway you now have a great picture.
cheers cardiff ;)
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There is a post on the London and Middlesex board requesting information on Charles Henry Chew's life in London
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=463744.msg3245063
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My grandfather's brother was Billy Hampton, a boxer from Pontypridd, and, to the best of my knowledge, his cousin married Frank Moody.
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Hi Tricia,
I'd read that Billy Hampton and Frank Moody were cousins - but perhaps it was by marriage.
Billy was not a bad fighter in an era when there was so much competition. Ironically, he was blind in one eye and deaf in one ear as a result of meningitis as a baby - with today's medical checks, he would never have been allowed to box.
Regards, Gareth
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Hello Gareth, :)
Well, Mum knew that her Uncle had a problem with his eye and his ear, but hadn't realised that it was because of menigitis. It's amazing what you can find out on the Internet ~ even about your family! :)
I would be interested in learning a bit more about him, myself, and wondered how you found this out? Are you in touch with his son, perhaps?
As for the cousin relationship ~ Uncle Bills's mother and Frank Moody's mother-in-law were sisters.
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Hi Tricia,
I'm not acquainted with any of the family, but I have spent a fair bit of time researching old Welsh boxers - hence the original post :)
Mich of the info I have on Billy comes from an article in the South Wales Echo on July 8. 1961. If you're in South Wales you should be able to find it in the bigger libraries, certainly in the spanking new one in Cardiff. It would presumably also be in the Newspaper Library at Colindale.
Gareth
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Thanks Gareth!
I'm hoping to visit the record office in Cardiff next month. Perhaps they'll have it there.
I actually think that I have seen that article. My Mum borrowed it to show me and I keep asking her about it. Now I have a title and a date I should be able to find it!
Thank you! :)
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I wouldn't bank on the Record Office having it.
If you do go to the Central Library, I should mention that the article was in the Football Echo rather than in the normal daily Echo - that's important because the 1961 Football Echos are still in bound hard copy form.
The ordinary Echos are on microfilm and you could waste a lot of time going through 1961 in a vain search for an article that's not there :(
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Oh, right, thank you for that, Gareth!
There was another cousin who was also a boxer ~ but on the paternal side ~ Tommy Jones.
Thomas Jones's mother was my great grandfather's sister.
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There were a fair number of Tommy Joneses about the boxing scene. Where was he from?
Gareth
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Not sure.
I think that he was born in Llantrisant around 1911, but he may have lived in Pontypridd.
I'll see if my Mum can remember.
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Hi Gareth
I'm new here, but saw your post about boxing in Pontypridd, and wondered if you can help me trace Albert John Bowen who was connected to the Mill St boxing scene in Pontypridd around the 1920's? My grandfather (Albert's elder brother) was also interested in boxing and a member there too. He was Daniel David Bowen, who also later became secretary of the Pontypridd Rubgy Club 1921. I don't think either of them were champions, just colliers who used to enjoy the scene. Albert went off to live in Evesham I think, and we have completely lost all track of his side of the family. Any info would be good. Many thanks.
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My Grandfather was Billy Thomas - originally from Merthyr then Bargoed and Deri who was boxing in late 1920's and 1930's.
He went to Australia in 1928 on a boxing tour and contested the Australian Middleweight title.
He was also ,I believe, the only person to beat Tommy Farr.
Any information would be great and good luck with the book.
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Not sure where he was born but certainly Welsh was Jimmy Driscoll ......... my dad used to tell me about him when I wanted to do a little bit of 'the noble art' and bought me a book about him ............. there is a lot about this champion by googling.
Joe
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I was reading about Jim Driscoll only today ~ well, his funeral, actually ~ in a book called
'Immigration and Integration: The Irish in Wales - 1798-1922' by Paul O'Leary. Very interesting.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immigration-Integration-1798-1922-Studies-History/dp/0708317677
http://www.recyclegen.com/Peerless/index.html
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Sorry about the delay in replying: I've not been getting email notifications about recent posts for some reason ???
First, Pontygirl: sorry, I know nothing of your Bowens. I can tell you, it's hard enough trying to find out about some of the old boxers from Ponty, let alone the fans :D
Exmouth, Billy Thomas came close to inclusion in my current book about Merthyr and Ponty boxers, but I decided he was based for most of his career in Deri, so he should wait till I get around to the Rhymney Valley. I'll contact you by PM, but should point out he was far from the only person to beat Tommy Farr - Joe Louis did, rather famously, for one! Farr lost frequently when he was starting out.
Joboy, Driscoll was from Cardiff. And Tricia, there are pictures of his funeral in my first book:
http://www.welsh-academic-press.com/St%20Davids%20Press/The%20Boxers%20of%20Wales%20-%20Cardiff.html
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Hi Gareth,
Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.
Well, I managed to get to Cardiff Library and to see the newspaper article about my uncle. They had ordered it in specially for me. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. The family really enjoyed hearing his story!
Thanks again :)
Tricia :)
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Hey bud just came across your mail regarding my great uncle Frank Moody his brother Glen and my grandfather Jack. Thank you for the posting and I am sure if you want more info I can help you. I know my grandfgather Jack was a miner and was killed in a pit cave in at the maritime mine in Pontypridd. My mother was only two at this time. You are right Glen and Frank went on to be very competent boxers travelling to America and Australia. Sadly they have now left the ring of life but I have pictures of them displayed in my barber shop in Thetford Norfolk where I live. It's great to see that the Moody heritage lives on and on........ Thank you once more. Mike :)
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Thanks, Mike. I will PM you with a couple of specific queries about your grandfather and his brother Glen.
The book should be out in early November and, with the indulgence of the mods, I will give details when it appears.
Regards, Gareth
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Sorry, Mike, that's a Personal Message (for your eyes only!) - I only just realised you were new to Rootschat.
Welcome, croeso :D
Gareth
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Hey bud just came across your mail regarding my great uncle Frank Moody his brother Glen and my grandfather Jack. ...
Hello Mike :)
You may have noticed, from earlier posts in this thread, that my Grandfather's cousin ~ my Mum's Godmother ~ was Frank Moody's wife.
And my grandfather's boxer brother, Billy Hampton, went to America with Frank Moody. According to the article mentioned by Gareth, above, Billy Hampton and Billy Moody worked together in the electric works at Lynn, Massachusetts.
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Hi Gareth and thanks for the reply you will see I have attached a photo of my grandad to my profile ;D. The real spooky thing is that it is almost like looking at myself in the mirror pic of me attached for your view....Really good that I do but a little spooky... Thanks again bud, have a good weekend. Mike
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Pritchard Probert was my great grandfather and some of my family are boxers. Have just googled his name and came across your posts on this site, so I registered. Would be very interested in talking to you.
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I am one of the Grandaughters of Pritchard Morgan Probert, I have two sisters, as a matter of interest in the family tree went onto goggle and keyed in his name to such a surprise there was a posting by Gareth Boxing, the data posted was correct as far as I know, my Grand Father passed away when my Mother was 3 years old. He came to Whitley Bay then the county of Northumberland to do boxing training when he met my Grand Mother Matilda Duff.
Would be interested to know there is someone in the Welsh family side to be able to help with the family tree.
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Hi PritchProbert,
My book, though later than hoped, should be out next month or in April; I'll put details here when I have something definite.
It will include profiles of both Pritch and his brother Llew, which I hope will be informative. I also have a copy of Llew's death certificate, which I would be glad to send you. If you want it, PM me (that is, send me a Private Message) with your address.
Regards,
Gareth
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Thanks to all for your help and interest. The book is, finally, available. For details see:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boxers-of-Wales-Vol-2-Merthyr-Aberdare-and-Pontypridd/129937947084958?sk=wall
Thanks again, Gareth :)
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Hi Couldn't help seeing your post when I was looking up my relative Billy Thomas. I believe he was my Dad's Uncle. He had a brother Tom and they were from Deri.
My Dad always told me about him being the last Welshman to beat Tommy farr and that he beat the Australian champion. Has to be the same man. I can remember going to croesfan Terrace to see an Auntie Betty (long time ago). I think it might have been an uncle Glanmor's wife.
My Dad's father was Emlyn Thomas though he seperated from my Nan just after the war. It sounds like we may be cousins!
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Mike Bull, we seem to be related. Jack, Frank and Glen are my Great Uncles. I am Dennis's grand daughter. The baby brother of the family. Is it possible to get in contact with you. We are trying to find everyone in the family that are still alive and to put together the family tree. It would be fantastic to meet you!
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Welcome to Rootschat!
Before Mike can contact you by PM(Private Message),you will have to have made three posts.
Regards
William Russell Jones.
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Does anyone have any information on Benjiman Moody, Jimmy Moody and George Moody as boxers? They were all Frank and Glen' brothers
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William, does this count as three? 😋
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Yes it very much does!
Regards
William Russell Jones.
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Hi William
Some info on Ben and Jim on the BoxRec.com site. Nothing for George.
Benny Moody (Pontypridd) was a professional boxer who was active between 1934 and 1936. He took part in 6 professional contests
1936-03-27 Jim Moody v Frank Smart at Dolphin Greyhound Stadium, Slough. W RTD 3/6
1936-02-24 JM v Charlie Spencer at Hammersmith L PTS 6/6
1935-03-08 JM v Billy Elward at Town Hall, Maesteg L TKO 2/8
Ben Moody (Pontypridd) was a professional boxer who was active between 1919 and 1928. He took part in 16 professional contests.
1921 April 28 Ben Moody v Charlie Morris at Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, L TKO 3rd round.
The only way is to trawl through archive newspapers online.
Regards