On This day 21st October

In 1914, the birth of Bobby Palmer

Mostly remembered by fans as one of Dale Martin Promotions top referees and dapper M.C. Bobby Palmer had a previous life as a professional wrestler. Robert Thomas Palmer was born in Bow, London, on 21st October, 1914, He was the son of Rebecca and Thomas "Pedlar" Palmer, a boxer known as the "Box of Tricks." According to journalist and boxing expert Peter Grundy Thomas Palmer was one of the cleverest boxers of all time, winning the world bantamweight title from Billy Plimmer in 1895, successfully defending it five times before losing to Terry McGovern in New York.

The family moved to Brighton whilst Bobby was a schoolboy, and it was here he learnt to wrestle at the Brighton and Hove Athletic Club. His youthful appearance in later years made it hard to believe that here was a man who had combined wartime service with wrestling, Corporal Bobby Palmer on the posters.

In 1936 Bobby became a steward on the passenger liner, The Orford, As a young lightweight Bobby gained initial success, including a visit to Australia, before his career was interrupted by service as a parachutist in the R.A.F during the war. He joined up on 7th September, 1939, four days after war was declared

Bobby resumed wrestling activities full time following the war. We find him refereeing from 1947 onwards, whilst also continuing to wrestle. In 1952 he wrestled George Kidd for the world lightweight championship at the Caird Hall, Dundee. Bobby took the opening fall before succumbing to falls in the eighth and ninth rounds.

When not in the ring Bobby worked as a film stuntman, was an antiques dealer and car delivery manager. As a referee, and later Master of Ceremonies, dapper Bobby brought dignity to occasions that would otherwise have been less so and helped to build the credibility of the wrestling days we celebrate on these pages.

He died on 26th January, 1999, aged 84.