Bookies Runner/Boys Boxing Clubs

[kimb]

Hi,

Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction for two different threads of inquiry?

1. My great grandfather was arrested some time during the late 1930s/early 1940's for being a bookie's runner! Tom Wright was in his 80's at the time! he was taken to court and fined the princely sum of 5 shillings! My great grandmother was lived and made his life hell after the shame he brought on the family, according to my Mum! The incident would have taken place around the Angel, Islington area and I would love to know where to start looking for any records etc.

2. My grandfather Jimmy "Paddy" Hogan and his brother Bobby were amateur boxers in the 1920's. They started boxing at the St Silas Boys Boxing Club in Pentonville and then used a gym at Backfriars. Family stories have it that they were fairly successful but I can't find any thing about it. Any ideas?


Many thanks, 


Kim

[queenwillow]

I'm guessing that St Silas boxing club would be attached to the church of the same name so maybe dropping them a line might give some info  -   http://www.saint-silas.org.uk/ It is in Pentonville

[queenwillow]

the Blackfriars boxing is probably The Ring. The Ring public house is all that remains of a historic boxing location in South London. Just across from the pub use to stand the Blackfriars Ring boxing arena until in 1940 when it was bombed during an air raid.The Ring arena was originally called the Surrey Chapel, built in 1783, until the strange shaped building was bought by former British Lightweight champion Dick Burge in 1910. Together with his wife Bella they staged many boxing matches including well known fighters such as Len Johnson, Jack Drummond, Alf Mancini, Jack Hood and the legendary Ted 'Kid' Lewis.

The pub is a must for any fans of old fighters as the walls are adorned with posters and pictures of the many boxers who once fought at The Ring. Until recently the pub had a working gym above and it is still common to see old fighters who still visit this tribute to what was 'London's Premier Arena'.

[kimb]

Many thanks for the information and I think you're probably correct! I checked with my Mum and she remembers Grandad going to a pub in Blackfriars during the early years of the war!

I have emailed the Church but haven't heard anything back as yet. I might pop in there when I'm next in town. Slightly worried about the memories it will stir up though of all the Nuns and having to learn my creeds - ugh!!

Thanks again!!

[Valda]

Hi

Without an exact date or at least a year it would be quite a time consuming task to trawl through microfilmed copies of a local weekly newspaper for so many years on the chance your grandfather's appearance in court (which court - probably the magistrates court - formerly called Petty Sessions or in London police courts) appeared.

You can access the back copies of the Islington Gazette at Islington Local History Centre at Finsbury Library

http://www.islington.gov.uk/Education/LocalHistory/localhistorycentre/

The British Library will also hold copies of the same newspaper.


Regards

Valda

[kimb]

Thanks Valda

[arsenal 1]

hi there my grandad was called bobby hogan he had a brother called jimmy hogan and they both did boxing they are on my mothers they all lived in islington london