For a long time we have from time to time considered the connection between Harry Joyce and Devereux Promotions. As today (28th February) is the anniversary of Herbert Devereux's birth I thought it time to take a closer look at Herbert Devereux. My belief is that there was no connection, or at least business connection between Harry Joyce and Herbert Devereux. Harry's son, Ken, took over Devereux Promotions, but this was long after the death of Herbert Devereux (1959) and Harry Joyce (1965). I have a letter from Devereux Promotions showing Herbert's son, Charles, still in charge in 1976.
Herbert Devereux was born on 28th February, 1899 in Battersea. An Electrical Engineer by trade he remained in that business, as owner of Neal (Electrical) Ltd. until his death.
His involvement with professional wrestling began as a timekeeper for Dale Martin Promotions. In 1949 he promoted his first season of wrestling at Kingston Upon Thames. The following year, 1950, he turned his attention to Elm Street Baths. This venture didn't go so successfully and in January 1951 he announced he was passing the contract over to Dale Martin Promotions attributing failure to Battersea Borough Council being unrealistic in charging £50 a night for the rent of the 2,000 capacity hall.
On 26th July, 1951 Devereux Promotions took over the promoting of wrestling events at Wimbledon Palais, a hall with which they became inextricably linked. In January 1953 Devereux took over promoting responsibility at the Coronation Ballroom, Ramsgate, from Dale Martin Promotions; it was back with Dale Martin in 1955. Devereux's relationship with Joint Promotions, more specifically Dale Martin Promotions, ebbed and flowed over the years. In the most part, whilst stating their credentials as independent promoters it was a relationship of co-operation, with Devereux utilising wrestlers under licence from Dale Martin. This arrangement resulted in interesting shows that combined Joine and independent wrestlers.
At some point in 1958 Devereux and Dale Martin Promotions became more estranged. This was around the time that Dale Martin workers that included George Kidd, Joe D'Orazio, Eddie Capelli and Paul Lincoln left the Joint Promotion syndicate to wrestle and promote independently. Things came to a head with an announcement in the Wimbledon Palais programme of 4th December, 1958
"Last week there was an interesting article in the Daily Mail which dealt with the affairs of Joint Promotions Ltd., and repeated the old title of 'All in' wrestling throughout. While we do not agree with all that was said about this type of wrestling we can disassociate ourselves from all that was said, for we are not part of Joint Promtions Ltd., and we do not have any 'top liners under contract' as the article stated was the case with that company. All the wrestlers that appear here are independent entities, with whom we deal direct, and who wrestle here of their own free will for money that they themselves negotiate in the proper manner."
From 1959 Devereux were members of the independent promoters group British Wrestling Federation alongside Paul Lincoln Management, Matsport, Conrad Davis, International, Twentieth Century, and Premier Promotions. This independent status remained until the beginning of January, 1962, when Devereux and a number of other independent promoters returned to work co-operatively with Dale Martin Promotions.
Herbert Devereux died on 28th March, 1959, leaving a widow and son. The son Charles took over Devereux Promotions and steered it successfully throught the BWF years and re-forming the Joint Promotion relationship in in 1962.
Eventually Charles Devereux was to sell the business to Rushden wrestler Ken Joyce. Precisely when that was we don't know, but Charles Devereux was certainly in charge as late as 1976.
We can make a list of Devereaux stalwarts!
In addition to Mr X and the White Phantoms we can add the lion man from below, Tony Rowney. And of course Doug and Ken. And I suppose we have to add Le Bourreau.
Good stuff Hack. Very interested in anything Devereux. Had a curious history as you've pointed out.
As Seen Below DEVEREUX Still Going in 1979 HACK!!
Also Remember ANGLO-LE BOURREAU-One of My Top Favourite Masked Men-DID
Wrestle For JOINTS-WRYTON Actually-in his First Hooded Incarnation Over Here in
1962 as JACQUEREZ!!
MAIN MASK
Anglo Italian
"Nevertheless, I see Ken and Doug Joyce heavily involved on Devereaux bills right through the sixties, also with their Mr X protegé and the White Phantoms. They shared these with Dale Martins, which got everyone ahead. They may have been partners with Charles? Maybe Charles managed the venues and Ken the talent? We never hear mention of Charles, after all."
The sort of informal partnership you suggest seems not just feasible, but likely to me Anglo Italian. I didn't suggest it in the original post because I wanted to concentrate on the certainties to try and clear away the fog surrounding this topic when we've discussed it in the past. The only way I can see to getting to the bottom of this would be for a wrestler who was worked for Devereux pre 1976 who could vouch for Ken Joyce's involvement. Those wrestlers are around. Johnny Kincaid would be a possibility. You might remember he told us his first JP match was against Pallo on a Devereux bill with Pallo asked to report back to Dale Martin. There must be quite a few others still around. Or maybe other forum readers might have come across a Wrestler article where a wrestler says Ken Joyce got him his first match for Devereux.
Very nice Hack, the birth dates sew it all together.
Nevertheless, I see Ken and Doug Joyce heavily involved on Devereaux bills right through the sixties, also with their Mr X protegé and the White Phantoms. They shared these with Dale Martins, which got everyone ahead. They may have been partners with Charles? Maybe Charles managed the venues and Ken the talent? We never hear mention of Charles, after all.
Yes, there was a hunky-dory coexistence with Dale Martin - surprising in itself - but they did not (refused?) to share Le Bourreau de Béthune in his UK tours.
Back to 1973-ish, the original Dr Death appeared on Devereaux shows in their Hampshire heartland; once again not shared with Dale Martins.
Maybe Dale Martins didn't want masked men they had no control over? Maybe Le Bourreau was expensive and not for sharing? Probably the ageing pot-bellied Dr Death was not so desirable alongside Kung Fu and Kendo Nagasaki? I often wonder and imagine that Doctor Death was probably unmasked on some of those Andover and IoW bills - but we will never know.
Hard to add to that , I never did really understand it all.