Considering the varying histories and experiences of the leading Welsh boxers during World War I, the conflict having erupted in a true golden era for the sport in Wales.

Battle of the Somme

• Johnny Basham in World War I
• Dai Davies in World War I
• Jim Driscoll in World War I
• Fred Dyer in World War I
• Llew Edwards in World War I
• Percy Jones in World War I
• Eddie Morgan in World War I
• Dai Roberts in World War I
• Francis Rossi in World War I
• Walter Rossi in World War I
• Freddie Welsh in World War I
• Jimmy Wilde in World War I

The rich, varied and, at times, horrific experiences of Welsh boxers in the First World War reflect both the vibrancy of the country at the time and the glory of the sport in a true golden era for Welsh pugilists.

The heavy industry of south Wales coupled with the diversity and militancy of its workforce was a potent, explosive mix that would burst out onto the world stage in many unexpected forms.

Boxing was undoubtedly one of those forms of expression, and it was a sport that had a tightening grip on the nation.

‘Peerless’ Jim Driscoll was the pride of, not just the Welsh, but the entire British boxing scene, the darling of the National Sporting Club and a man whose classic, upright style epitomised everything that the country valued in the noble art.

Freddie Welsh (centre) prepares for a transatlantic trip

If ‘Peerless’ Jim was coming towards the end of his career when the war started, the ageing hero seemed to have paved the way for an even more glorious generation.

1914, the year that the Great War started, had finally – after many near misses – seen Wales secure its first world champion in Percy Jones, and he was soon followed by the second, Freddie Welsh.

Jimmy Wilde and Johnny Basham already appeared likely to follow in those footsteps, while the likes of Llew Edwards, Fred Dyer, Eddie Morgan, Dai Davies and the Rossi brothers – Francis and Walter – also awaited their opportunities.

World War I would have a varied and profound impact on the lives and careers of all these men.

Some of the more prominent pugilists were able to continue their ring careers at home, with varying degrees of disruption.

The rise of Wilde, for example, continued almost unchecked and his role as a fitness instructor in the army does not seem to have been overly onerous.

Fred Dyer in military uniform

Basham’s fitness and exhibition work for the military seems to have been more taxing and – whilst he was grateful for the privileges he gained in the army – the war may well have stopped him from becoming a world champion and from forging a lucrative career in the States.

Freddie Welsh, as individual as ever, quickly took his newly won world title to the US where he would remain for the rest of the war, a route also taken by title-hopeful Morgan.

Dyer and Edwards continued their careers through the war years in the States and Australia and – while their experiences appear comfortable – each faced losses in their own way.

In simple numeric and financial terms, author Alex Daley says that there were around 8,000 fights a year in the UK in the build-up to World War I.

Trench warfare on the western front

This dropped to around 4,000 a year in 1915-18, then climbed to 7,000 in 1919-25, before peaking at close to 20,000 in 1930, meaning that this golden generation of Welsh fighters missed out on a booming sport in some of the peak years of their careers.

If none of the boxers here were unaffected by the war the true losers were, of course, those sent to fight in the front line.

How many obscure Welsh boxers shared the fate of Caerau’s Dai Roberts?

The little-known welterweight was a prominent sportsman in his day who had fought Wilde and Basham, sparred with Freddie Welsh, and helped in Willie Ritchie’s corner on the night that Welsh took the American’s world lightweight belt. Roberts was killed by a shell in France in July 1917.

Unlike Roberts, both Davies and Jones made it home from the western front. But the injuries they suffered there affected them badly and, in Jones’ case, ended his service, career and, ultimately, his life.

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As part of a series looking at the history of the most prominent Welsh boxers during World War I, we consider the experiences of Jim Driscoll.

Jim Driscoll

Unlike the majority of the boxers featured in this series, it is arguable that the prime fighting years of the great Jim Driscoll‘s career were over by the start of World War I in 1914.

‘Peerless’ Jim was aged 33 when the conflict broke out and the pinnacle of his career – his ‘newspaper victory’ over Abe Attell in New York – was over five years ago.

Since that high-water mark, the Cardiff man had fought just seven times, winning four, losing two and drawing the other. High living and an aversion to training contributed to the poor health that accompanied his downturn in form.

But the respect that Driscoll’s character had earned and the fame of his ring exploits meant he was a valuable propaganda recruit for the army.

He was drafted into an elite corps of army physical training instructors under captain Bruce Logan. The so-called ‘famous six’ fighters – Johnny Basham, Jimmy Wilde, Driscoll, Bombardier Billy Wells, Dick Smith and Pat O’Keefe – toured Britain, taking on all-comers in military boxing booths.

The period was dramatised in Alexander Cordell’s 1984 novel Peerless Jim, a piece of literature that the author claimed (rather dubiously) was based on “known facts”.

In the book, Driscoll’s character says that the job was “10 times harder than any boxing booth” as the fighters were over-worked, taking on all-comers at all weights, challengers who did not pull their punches and who were desperate to knock-out a famous professional boxer.

“From heavyweight Billy Wells to flyweight Jimmy Wilde, the army wore us out,” says ‘Driscoll’ in the book.

“I served four years during the Great War; during that time I did some 12,000 three-minute rounds of boxing, taking on all comers, all weights, amateur and professional.

“We performed all over Britain, we entertained the troops in nearly every town in France, and for the smallest pay any other professional boxer has earned; less than a shilling a round! But, of course, it was for the beloved country.”

The six were eventually split up, although Basham and Driscoll stayed together when they were sent to France.

The two famous fighters avoided the front line as they were based in St Pol, the HQ of the gymnastics staff under Colonel Campbell.

“There were many other well-known boxers there,” recalled Basham. “It was our job to show the boys the right way to do the physical jerks (how they blessed us).

“Time and time again we would make long journeys in the night in order to box an exhibition for some of the boys who had been wounded and who preferred seeing Jim and I do our stuff to taking the ‘number nines’ that the medical officer used to hand out!

“At this gymnastics job I had a fair run round, Amiens, Arras, Albert, Poperinghe, etc, etc, were all visited by Jim and I.”

Driscoll and Basham, both sergeants, were regularly sent to calm upset in the ranks, the troops proving ready to listen to the boxers when MPs could only inflame the heated situation.

Jim Driscoll statue in Cardiff

The popularity of the two was recalled by author and boxer Norman Clark. In his All in the Game he recalls meeting them in France where he sparred with Basham, Clark praising his opponent’s boxing skills and his jovial character.

The joy and laughter that Driscoll and Basham found amidst the horrors of war-time France seems undeniable, but the conflict also took its toll.

In the Cordell novel, ‘Driscoll’ says: “At least one of [the boxing instructors], and I won’t say who, died physically as sure as if he’d been killed with the tanks at Cambrai; most of us were sent to early graves.

“Eventually my health broke under the strain; a recurrence of my bronchial troubles and an ulcerated stomach sent me back to Britain.”

Before that happened, Driscoll was ‘slightly gassed’ in a German chlorine poison gas attack at the start of the second battle of Ypres.

This affected his bronchial chest and he was laid up in hospital in Arras for a time, suffering asthmatic attacks. The experience is believed to have had a big effect on his health in the post-war years.

After the war, Driscoll defied failing health to return for three more fights, using his skills to keep him out of trouble before ending his career with the bravest of defeats to Charles Ledoux in December 1919.

The great champion died of pneumonia on 30 January, 1925, at the age of 44, and over 100,000 lined the streets of Cardiff for the funeral.

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As part of a series looking at the history of the most prominent Welsh boxers during World War I, we consider the experiences of Jimmy Wilde.

The Prince of Wales congratulates Jimmy Wilde at the National Sporting Club (Painting: William Howard Robinson)

The great Jimmy Wilde was a fast-rising star at the outbreak of war, having built a fearsome knock-out reputation and claimed his first major title – the European flyweight crown – in March 1914.

The Great War barely caused the ‘Tylorstown Terror’ to break stride in his development and he was able to continue his active and lucrative ring career after the outbreak of hostilities.

On 5 September, 1914, the Pontypridd Observer records Wilde at Hanneford’s Circus, Pontypridd, where he ‘christened’ two lion cubs: “After bestowing upon them the names of Rockingstone and Jimmy Wilde he wished the ‘pups’ good health, remarking that he was not much of a fist at making speeches but better at the other game.”

These were the early days of the war, but as the conflict ground on it does seem that the fighter’s domestic activities and successes led to criticism.

Also, the demands of the western front – coupled with Wilde’s own punching power – may have contributed to the problems he endured in finding suitable opponents at his weight.

He took to regularly fighting much heavier men, a practice that led to his first defeat, a January 1915 stoppage loss to Tancy Lee at the National Sporting Club where the British, European and world flyweight titles were at stake.

The Welshman was quickly back to winning ways, though, 12 successive stoppage victories leading him into a successful challenge for Joe Symonds’ British title.

To find such success when the war was causing so much misery caused some resentment. In his 1938 ‘autobiography’ Fighting was my Business, Wilde seems to go to excessive lengths to explain why he had not joined the army by that point in his career.

“The Symonds fight, early in 1916, saw the first 18 months of the war past, and the hopes of an early finish fast dimming,” said Wilde.

“I wanted to join the forces, although offers of fights were coming along fast; for the first time in my life I felt the real ease of money, the thing I had dreamed of in the past.

Fighting was my Business

“Yet neither [manager Ted] Lewis nor [Jimmy’s wife] ‘Lisbeth made any attempt to stop me from trying to join the colours. The desire had gradually grown into a longing, frustrated for a long time by what must have been one of the oddities of the Great War.

“For I could not persuade the authorities that I was physically capable of fighting with the ranks! I tried several times, hung around in draughty doctors’ waiting rooms to take a physical examination, but all to no purpose.

“It is almost impossible for me to believe that it actually happened: even with the Lonsdale Belt my proud possession, I was not passed as fit for active service.”

After going to some length to tell stories of the times he was rejected, Wilde continues: “It was not until a year later that I was ‘taken’, and then for garrison service.

“In between whiles there were the unpleasant attacks from certain people and places: there was even a story in circulation that I had been specially asked to join the Tank Corps, and refused.

“I wonder how many others held up as bad examples to the public and advanced as part of the need for conscription had tried to join up and failed?

“I was able to help towards the various funds by boxing, attending different shows and auctioning gloves and other things after the fights. Nothing was too much trouble, enthusiasm everywhere was at fever pitch.

“Yet reports kept coming through, of this man’s death, or that one’s serious injuries, fine boxers never to appear in the ring again. It was heart-rending, and worse because of the knowledge that others took the brunt of the fighting. But we just went on.”

Indeed, Wilde describes an extremely busy and successful 1916-17 schedule that included a revenge win over Lee. In December 1916 Wilde was recognised throughout the world as world champion after his crushing win over America’s Young Zulu Kid.

He had followed Percy Jones and Freddie Welsh into the record books to become Wales’ third world champion, but Wilde seems more impressed at having won a Lonsdale Belt outright by defeating George Clark.

The high-profile, lucrative fights allowed Wilde to build his small valleys house into a rich, successful farm, full of animals.

The ever-more-comfortable home life was disrupted after the Clark fight, though, when Wilde was finally allowed to enlist in the army and he was sent to Aldershot to train as a physical instructor.

After passing the training course Wilde began teaching in Sandhurst. Given the horrors faced by soldiers elsewhere, Wilde’s military service seems to have been a breeze.

Jim Driscoll

He described the army turning a blind eye while he paid visits to his wife who lived nearby. What’s more, Wilde was able to stay fighting fit and to continue his professional career in all but name – he boxed in high-profile shows where, rather than being paid in cash, he would be presented with lucrative gifts such as expensive jewellery.

Wilde was part of an elite corps of boxers who served as army physical trainers under captain Bruce Logan. For a time a group of them known as the ‘famous six’ toured Britain taking on all-comers in a boxing booth. The six were ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells, Pat O’Keefe, Dick Smith and Welshmen Wilde, Johnny Basham and Jim Driscoll.

Most were eventually posted to France, but this does not seem to have happened to Wilde.

“There were times when I envied [the cadets] their opportunities [to fight in the war], and there were others when I told myself not to be a fool,” said Wilde.

“The war had lasted too long, by the time I went to Sandhurst, for anyone to imagine it was going to be a picnic.”

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As part of a series looking at the history of the most prominent Welsh boxers during World War I, we consider the experiences of Fred Dyer.

Fred Dyer in military uniform

A serious knee injury suffered early in his career prevented Fred Dyer from realising his full boxing potential – but it may also have saved his life by keeping him out of the front line during the war.

The multi-talented Cardiff man – who was also a talented swimmer and singer – was not deemed fit enough to serve as cartilage damage meant that his right knee suffered regular dislocations.

But, with an adapted boxing style, he was fit enough to continue his ring career throughout the war years, when he found significant success in Australia and the USA.

Dyer was in Australia when war broke out and, having been refused entry into the British army, his popularity in the ring and on stage saw him stay down under until the end of 1915, where he also worked on charity events for injured soldiers.

The most notable event of this period of his career was an October 1915 clash with Les Darcy that was marketed in Australia as being for the world middleweight title.

Darcy was arguably Australia’s greatest ever pugilist, and on Boxing Day 1914 Dyer had taken him the full 20 rounds before dropping a points decision.

The home favourite proved too strong in their Sydney Stadium rematch, though, stopping Dyer in the sixth.

Sydney Stadium, Australia, in 1913

Soon after the loss the Welshman headed to the USA where he fought in January 1916. He would not return to war-torn Europe until 1920.

After a slow start to his US ring career Dyer’s form improved, the highlight being a convincing 1917 victory over Panama Joe Gans.

Having previously been turned down by the British army, Dyer tried to sign up for the US forces following their entry into the war in April 1917.

Again his knee injury ruled him out, but he continued his charity work for injured soldiers, and in early 1918 was eventually accepted into the US army as a boxing instructor.

He served at Camp Grant in Illinois, putting his professional career on hold for the remainder of the war as he boxed at the camp and in army tournaments, facing the likes of Teddy Baldock and Packey McFarland.

He also kept up his charity work, boxing and singing for the public as well as the armed forces.

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As part of a series looking at the history of the most prominent Welsh boxers during World War I, we consider the experiences of Johnny Basham.

Royal Welsh Fusiliers banner

Johnny Basham is unique amongst the boxers featured in this series in that he was serving in the army before the outbreak of World War I.

The Newport man had a sluggish, mixed start to his professional boxing career, but joining the forces in 1911 helped him find the discipline to improve.

His Wrexham-based regiment, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, actively encouraged his ring career, and he built up a large, loyal following, fighting regularly at the Liverpool Stadium.

His employer’s patronage continued after the outbreak of hostilities on the continent, and in December 1914 Basham claimed the British welterweight title with a stoppage of Johnny Summers at London’s National Sporting Club.

He continued to fight throughout the war, picking up the Lonsdale Belt outright and adding the European crown to his collection. A March 1915 win over Matt Wells at the London Opera House was the first time a promoter had organised a ‘big spectacular’ since the beginning of the war.

Despite such successes it seems certain that the war cost Basham career opportunities. He never took his talents to the USA, and would never win the world title that his ability may well have merited.

However, Basham himself believed that boxing saved his life, saying that his Lonsdale Belt kept him out of the front line. In his first defence of the British title Basham defeated Tom McCormick – who was killed in action in France in 1916.

Basham secured the Belt with his May 1916 win over Eddie Beattie, a victory which sparked wild celebrations in Wales. What’s more, the fighter says that: “My officers told me that I had done a great thing for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and for many a long day after my win over Eddie Beattie I had what was known in the army as ‘cushy days’.”

The fighter was, indeed, something of a celebrity. A barracks sparring session he took part in with author/poet Robert Graves was recalled in the latter’s autobiography Goodbye to all That.

Basham was later drafted into an elite corps of army physical training instructors under captain Bruce Logan. The so-called ‘famous six’ fighters – Basham, Jim Driscoll, Jimmy Wilde, Bombardier Billy Wells, Dick Smith and Pat O’Keefe – toured Britain, taking on all-comers in military boxing booths.

The six were eventually split up, although Basham and Driscoll stayed together when they were sent to France.

Jim Driscoll

The two famous fighters avoided the front line as they were based in St Pol, the HQ of the gymnastics staff under Colonel Campbell.

“There were many other well-known boxers there,” recalled Basham. “It was our job to show the boys the right way to do the physical jerks (how they blessed us).

“Time and time again we would make long journeys in the night in order to box an exhibition for some of the boys who had been wounded and who preferred seeing Jim and I do our stuff to taking the ‘number nines’ that the medical officer used to hand out!

“At this gymnastics job I had a fair run round, Amiens, Arras, Albert, Poperinghe, etc, etc, were all visited by Jim and I.”

Driscoll and Basham, both sergeants, were regularly sent to calm upset in the ranks, the troops proving ready to listen to the boxers when MPs could only inflame the heated situation.

The popularity of the two was recalled by author and boxer Norman Clark. In his All in the Game he recalls meeting them in France where he sparred with Basham, Clark praising his opponent’s boxing skills and his jovial character.

On another occasion Basham sparred with the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII who was touring the troops.

Towards the end of the war Basham returned to Wrexham where, reportedly, he helped to cure drunkenness in the ranks – anyone found in an inebriated state was ordered to do three rounds with the British and European champion!

The joy and laughter that Driscoll and Basham found amidst the horrors of war-time France seems undeniable, but the conflict also took its toll.

The boxers had to take on all-comers in the booths, men of all sizes, weights and abilities. Many did not know how to pull a punch, and their primary motivation was to claim that they had been able to knock over the great Basham or Driscoll.

There was also a widely held belief that sparring with untrained soldiers eroded the skills of a professional, leading them to lose precision and sharpness, and pull punches.

Some suggest that, by the end of the war, as a result of fighting inferior opponents Basham had developed a tendency to over-use his right hand and to neglect his most potent weapon, his sublime straight left.

Whether or not that is true, he remained a formidable foe. In his first nine fights after the war he claimed eight wins and a draw, adding the Commonwealth title to the British and European crowns he successfully defended.

Then, in June 1920, he ran into Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis.

Perhaps the war had chipped away at Basham’s skills, or perhaps the ‘Kid’ – regarded by many as Britain’s greatest ever fighter – was simply too good.

But the Newport man lost all four of his classic encounters with Lewis, meaning that he missed out on the chance of becoming Wales’ fourth world champion.

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