Hi everyone
Im trying to find out about my grandfather.
One of the only real windows of research I have on him seem to be his apparent Wrestling bouts at the now demolished Granby Halls in Leicester.
I am not convinced but word of mouth has it he named himself Sugar Smith. He was born in 1906 to the name George Henry Smith.
May I ask if it is a name anybody can recall. Also any advice on where to check wrestling records online would be very gratefully received.
Kind regards.
Welcome Jon. No sign of a Sugar Smith. There were lots of Smiths in the 1930s. As Ron says George Henry fits in with Harry. But Harry Smith was a successful rugby player associated with Yorkshire. I would have thought if George Henry had been Harry then Jon would have heard him talked about as a rugby player, and there doesn't seem to be a Leicestershire connection.
Here's a newspaper link , see if there are any more clues
http://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/nostalgia/nostalgia-with-margaret-watson-rugby-league-legends-were-true-dewsbury-greats-1-5808259
There were no records kept of wrestling matches Jon. The cumulative knowledge you find on here is a result of us all piecing together bits of information trying to answer questions like this. You've set a challenge here. More background information would be helpful. I'm not sceptical of him doing some wrestling but am doubtful of Sugar Smith.
Might just help if I knew who he married.
Thanks for the swift response there Ron, I appreciate it.
I regret that I cannot give exact information because his has been passed down through word of mouth alone. All I have is that he was from Leicestershire/Derbyshire but did live in Leicester in the late 20's after marriage. I'd hate to waste anyones time as I dont know a lot else. He worked in the pits at one time and went on to fight in the war but thats the extent of my knowledge.
Jon , we might be able to help and also welcome to Heritage.
Wrestling of the type you saw on TV started more or less in 1931.
If born 1906 he would for sure be a 1930's wrestler and beyond.
I have two candidates but need your help.
There was a Stoker Smith who was a heavyweight.
More likely would be Harry Smith which would fit with George Henry.
Harry Smith was pretty much a lightweight and maybe went up a few weights with age. he was known as The Pitman Hercules.
Crucially I think he came from Dewsbury. Now that's a clue , can you add anything.
Wrestlers got everywhere , here he is in Grantham.