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.