Military Boxing Champion

[arrowsdeb]

Hi there
I have a photo of one of my husbands relatives, unfortunately we do not know who it is and no identifying marks on it.
Briefly, on the photo he is standing in a Boxing pose wearing shorts alongside a table-full of trophies. Written underneath the trophies is "Welterweight Champion Inter-Services Egypt 1923. Runner-up Welterweight Championship. India 1925."
The picture is taken at Elite Studios, Bangalore.

Does anyone have any idea where I might start with this or knows if military boxing records are kept?

Many thanks!

[liverpool annie]

Here's a fascinating site!!

http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Special:Categories

Annie 

[arrowsdeb]

Thanks Liverpool Annie for that, I've had a look, it is indeed a fantastic site.
If anyone else has any pointers, would be really grateful?
Cheers!
Debbie

[Wendi]

Hi Debbie

In Aldershot (The home of the British Army) They have a Museum dedicated to Physical Training contact details via

http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=205

Obviously he might not have been Army but maybe they can help point you in the right direction.

Can you scan the photo? as it might be handy to e-mail them a copy (and us too)

Wendi

[arrowsdeb]

Thanks very much for that suggestion, Wendi. I'll try and get it scanned and post it.
Best wishes
Debbie

[MarMnkly]

Hi Debbie, in the Times for April 1925 there is an article entitled 'India Boxing Champions' which says
'The 2nd Seaforth Highlanders are the champion boxing unit in India for the 1924-25 season. In the champoinship matches at Rawalpindi the battalion scored 35 points against 31 by the 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers, 22 by the 2nd Royal Ulster Rifles, and 20 by the 1st Cameron Highlanders. The next best were the 2nd Gloucestershire Regiment, 2nd Kings Regiment, and 1st Black Watch.'

I can't find anything which says who won each weight and for which armed force I'm afraid.

For 1923 there are references to Imperial Services Boxing Championships which are inter-service, but they seem to happen at Aldershot and other UK locations. Lots of names of boxers are mentioned - under welter-weight -any ideas of family surnames???

Margaret

[mickgall]

Hi All

Margaret I'd be most grateful if you could look to see if my granddad "Bombardier Billy Cook" -real name Albert Gall is mentioned in the Times of 1923. He was supposed to have been the army cruiserweight champion in 1923 and would have been in the Royal Artillery.
Sorry to jump in like this but I've been unable to find his actual unit and you might be able to provide a clue.

Many thanks
Mick

[MarMnkly]

Hi Mick, I'm sorry but I can't find him mentioned
I looked from 1920-25 just in case under Cook and Gall.

The only Cook I found was a lance-corporal in the Loyal Regiment who fought a bought [but didn't win] at light-weight in March 1925.

I found a George Cook who was an australian pro boxer in 1923.

In terms of army competitions the weights mentioned were Fly, Bantam, Feather, Light, Welter, Middle, Light Heavy and Catch-weight. I didn't see cruiser-weight mentioned until 1926 in the services competitions although was mentioned as a fighting weight in other [pro] fights mentioned.

I feel like Jack Pallo with all this boxing stuff          ..oh no he was a wrestler!!!!

Margaret

[Wendi]

Mick you might like the link it's to "The Times" online

http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/

You do have to join and this has caused much discussion elsewhere but if you have any probs you can PM me

Wendi