On This Day in Wembury — 5 June 1945
Boxing and Wrestling Show for the Forces
At the end of the Second World War, Wembury hosted a lively boxing and wrestling evening for an audience of soldiers, sailors, Wrens, and ATS. A team of athletes, who had already taken their show to isolated coastal batteries and out-of-the-way posts, entertained the crowd.
Highlights included Elmo Marcello defeating C. S. M. I. Harry Foskett by one submission and one fall, and Plymouth’s Don Luxton beating George Jones in similar fashion. Exhibition boxing contests featured Young Williams, Young Thomas of Wales, Young Jonas, and another Young Thomas. A spirited bout between Young Mac and Kid James ended in a draw.
The wrestling referee was Frankie Ash, once a challenger for the world flyweight boxing title, while B.S.M. Young acted as master of ceremonies. All proceeds from the night went to the R.A.A. Benevolent Fund, supporting servicemen and their families.
Even in the shadow of war, evenings like this show how Wembury could become a place of energy and release, where sport gave weary men and women a few hours’ escape and reminded them of ordinary joys waiting beyond the conflict.
Source: Western Morning News, 5 June 1945
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.