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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: Garethboxing on Thursday 02 February 12 11:07 GMT (UK)
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I am currently researching my third Boxers of Wales book, this time featuring fighters from the Rhondda. Might I impose on the generosity of the mods and ask if anyone can help with info on any of the following?
Young Beckett (born Alcwyn Williams), Albert Colcombe, Gordon Cook, Jerry Daley, Eddie Davies (Cwmparc), Young Jim Driscoll (born George Lewis), Rufus Enoch, Billy Evans (Ystrad), Billy Fry, Eddie, Tommy and Phineas John, Ashton Jones, Harold and Ginger Jones, Sammy 'Sara' Jones, Dickie Lewis, Mog Mason (born Tommy Stanley), Billy Moore, Tom Norris, George 'Watt' Williams and Lewis Williams.
In nearly all cases I have plenty of detail regarding their boxing careers - which, of course, I am willing to share with any relatives or others interested - but I would appreciate dates of birth and death, plus any other stuff about where they lived, jobs they did and the like.
RCers came up trumps and answered many of my queries regarding boxers profiled in my previous efforts (Vol 1, Cardiff and Vol 2, Merthyr, Aberdare and Pontypridd). I hope someone out there can help put some flesh on the bones of these old favourites and help me keep their memories alive in print.
Regards,
Gareth
Thank you for your forbearance,
Regards,
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Have you seen this Gareth http://www.prewarboxing.co.uk/myphotographs.htm Best Wishes Bethan
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Thanks Bethan, I was aware of the site.
I'm reasonably OK for pics, though I'm always open for more, particularly if they are original prints, rather than taken from newspaper cuttings - even better if they've never been published anywhere before.
There were very few pictures of actual fights taken before the war (except for the really big names like Jimmy Wilde and Tommy Farr), so most pics available tend to look very similar, publicity shots with the boxer in fighting pose. It's nice to be able to add a bit of variety with some different shots, showing them off-duty or with their families and so on.
Gareth
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I can actually remember my Gransha( born1894) talking about Phineas John and boxing I have a feeling that he came from Treherbert or Treorchy,my Gransh was big into boxing ,he used to have photos of Tommy Farr and Jimmy Wilde
Best Wishes Bethan
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I stand corrected, my husband says that he came from Maerdy and used to have a boxing gym in the Royal hotel Maerdy, you should get in touch with David Owen, he has written loads of books on Maerdy and has lots of info on the sporting history of this valley, also Alun Clements is another one with loads of info on past sportsmen, if you are not already in contact with these two message me and I will send you thier telephone numbers, David especially is a really helpfull guy
Best Wishes Bethan
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Actually, Bethan, Phineas and his brothers came from Gelli. I don't know about him having a gym in Maerdy. He lived in London throughout the 1930s, returning to Wales (I think) in 1946.
He then ran a few pubs in Cardiff, incvluding the Criterion in Church Street, where I had my 21st celebrations back in the day. If only I'd asked him the sort of questions I want to ask him now :D
Gareth
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Gareth, I remember Glen Moody had a pub in Pontypridd. He is probably dead by now ,
but was wondering if any of his family may still run the pub or still live in the area.
They could possibly be of help.
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1901 Census
Rufus C Enoch, age 4, b. Wootton, Berkshire.
By the 1911 Census this Rufus was living in Gelli Rd,Pentre.
I have found a newspaper item of April 1947 where a Rufus Enoch was stopped in the first round of a fight in Exeter. If he's the Rufus from the 1901 Census he was still fighting at the age of 50!
From the fight info you have about when did Rufus Enoch begin his boxing career)
regards
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Different Rufus Enoch, I'm afraid. I do actually have the DoB for the boxer - he was born at Ty Du Farm, Tonyrefail, in January 1915. The first-round defeat in 1947 was his last contest.
Brian, I profiled Glen Moody - and brothers Frank and Jackie - in my last book, which included Ponty. I was in touch with one of the family, but I doubt she would know anything about other boxers.
Thanks, both, for your interest.
Gareth
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Gareth, This is a piece about Frank Moody.
An old family friend of ours , Lewis Williams, was the landlord of the Afandale Hotel, Cymmer, Port Talbot, not Porth.
He was also Frank Moody's manager. He told us the story of when he had to send Frank to the USA
to bolster his image.
He said he was winning his fights until the last one against Tiger Flowers.
Frank was doing very well against Tiger until in one clinch Tiger whispered in Frank's ear
that the party was over and he had to end it.
He then proceeded to give Frank the worse beating of his life.
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Hi Brian,
Frank Moody always regarded Flowers as the best fighter he ever met and admitted that he knew Tiger had carried him in the later rounds (Flowers won on points after 10 rounds). Moody spent a long time in the US and did win more than he lost, but he lost a dozen or so out there, including being knocked out by the legendary Harry Greb.
The Lewis Williams you refer to - do you mean Llew Williams, known as 'Bompa', who was his trainer. At the time Llew was licensee of the Ruperra Hotel in Pontypridd.
Gareth
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Hi Gareth,
I only knew Lew from the early 40's and he was In the cymmer pub then.
I met Frank and he was real gentleman.
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Hi Gareth i have just started my family tree.I have just logged on and found that you are looking for Rufus if its the right person and iam sure it. Rufus was my nans brother and they did own TY DU farm.Rufus also had 2 brothers called Tommy and Percy they were both flyweight boxers in the 1930s -1946 can you help me any more info on them and i will share anything as i may find out with you many thanks .
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Do you have this one Gareth? http://www.jobyculverhouse.blogspot.co.uk/
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My grandfather, Ned Cop (p) was a boxer in the Rhondda. I do know some of the history of his boxing but I wondered whether there was any mention of him in Gareth Jones' book on the boxing history of the Rhondda?
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phineas john did indeed live in maerdy 103 maerdy road with his wife agnes he and agnes were invoved in the local football team the maerdy royals because the royal hotel was 3 doors from themyou want the maerdy home page and archives on facebook they will supply many answers for you. carol
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I am the neice of the boxer and Lonsdale belt winner, Jonty Alsop. My father was uncle Jont's younger brother, Peter John Alsop. My name is Jennifer Hirst Alsop. My parents bought uncle Jont's shop when he moved to Rhoose, Barry. The house we lived in prior to the shop was where my father and his siblings had all lived. This was in Ynyscynon Road, Trealaw. If you want more information, please ask.
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Hi Gareth, re. JONTY ALSOP the boxer.
My uncle Jont was married to auntie Phyll and they had three children ; Audrey (ballet dancer), John and Al (Derick).
John's son, Anthony, was a boxer also. He boxed in the Commonwealth games in Australia, circa 1986 - 1990's. (Harry Carpenter was the commentator when Anthony was shown on the TV boxing.)
Uncle Jont lived in Ynyscynon Road , Trealaw. His sibblings were my uncle Jim, auntie Mill, auntie Ede and the youngest of them was Peter, my father.
My grandfather, dad & Jont's father, lived with his wife, Charlotte, in our house in Ynyscynon Road.They raised their family there. Being the youngest, my father lived there when all the siblings had left home. He lived with his father, Jack Alsop, until he married my mother, Ceinwen Hirst, who came to live there too. Uncle Jont had a shop in Tonypandy, and one in Llwynypia (which my parents later bought from him). This will be why he boxed out of Trealaw at first, then Llwynypia or Tonypandy later.
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Albert Colcombe. His name was Alcwyn Colcombe, joined the welsh regiment at 15, at that age he fought in the Battle of mons earning the red star or MBE, he was boxing before this date, or so his daughter, my mum says. In the army he fought as Corporal Albert Colcombe. He came out of the army at age 21 & turned to pro boxing Ataining 83 fights in his career The rest you know. He died in Doncaster Royal infirmary on the 25. 03. 59. He left behind 5 children. Roland Raymond Cynwyn Beatrice & derick. A little bit of info here. Jimmy Wild was the world Champion, fought out of the same town, he wouldnt fight my grandad, but avoided him. They locked horns outside of a pub, my grandad beat him then knocked him out, & that seems to be the end of Albert Colcombe.
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Albert Colcombe. DOB. 01/01/1899 His name was Alcwyn Colcombe, joined the welsh regiment at 15, at that age he fought in the Battle of mons earning the red star or MBE, he was boxing before this date, or so his daughter, my mum says. In the army he fought as Corporal Albert Colcombe. He came out of the army at age 21 as a pro boxer from age 18 Ataining 83 fights in his career The rest you know. He died in Doncaster Royal infirmary on the 25. 03. 59. He left behind 6 children. Ralph. Roland Raymond Cynwyn Beatrice & Derick. A little bit of info here. Jimmy Wild was the world Champion, fought out of the same town, he wouldnt fight my grandad, but avoided him. They locked horns outside of a pub, my grandad beat him then knocked him out, & that seems to be the end of Albert Colcombe. Anyone have anymore info or pictures would be nice
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Albert Colcombe. DOB 01/01/1899. His name was Alcwyn Colcombe, joined the welsh regiment at 15, at that age he fought in the Battle of mons earning the red star or MBE, he was boxing before this date, or so his daughter, my mum says. In the army he fought as Corporal Albert Colcombe. He came out of the army at age 21 & turned to pro boxing at age 18 Ataining 83 fights in his career The rest you know. He died in Doncaster Royal infirmary on the 25. 03. 59. He left behind 6 children. Ralph.Roland Raymond Cynwyn Beatrice & derick. A little bit of info here. Jimmy Wild was the world Champion, fought out of the same town, he wouldnt fight my grandad, but avoided him. They locked horns outside of a pub, my grandad then knocked him out. If anyone has any pictures, it would be nice finaly see him.