Herbert Crossley grave (5th May 1901 to 15th November 1921)

 

Even before the World Wars boxing fights were held regularly and Doncaster produced three talented boxers - heavyweight champion William "Iron" Hague and the Crossley brothers - Harry and Herbert. Here I am in a pretty churchyard in Doncaster where Herbert lies forever. There were no sign of visitors.

 

Herbert was born nearby in 1901. He was on stage aged 16 - not acting but in a boxing contest. The ring had been set up inside Mexborough’s Empire Theatre. This was his first professional contest and he beat a lad from Rotherham in two rounds. He started fighting elsewhere in the north - in Sheffield, Doncaster and Manchester. Aged 18 he won a novices heavyweight competition held at British boxing’s HQ at National Sporting Club in Covent Garden (down in big London.) All the while he was working through in the daytime at Manvers Main Colliery.

 

Before exiting his teens he beat British light-heavyweight title challenger Harry Curzon and future champion Tom Berry. Though 5ft 10ins tall Herbert was a small heavyweight. He wasn’t all meanness and muscle, more a scientific boxing employing a mix of speed, nimbleness, pluck, pace and patience.

 

After seeing him box in London veteran American manager Charlie Harvey urged Herbert to come to the States. He didn’t want to go but agreed to a short three-week trip. In New York he trained at the famous Grupp’s gym on 116th Street and 8th Avenue. He shouldn’t have left England for he had a few fights then suddenly fell ill. He spent a week in bed with flu. Worsening each day he was admitted to New York’s Roosevelt Hospital. Despite receiving a blood transfusion he died from septicaemia aged 20. His body was embalmed and sailed back to Doncaster. The stunned local folk gave him a grand funeral befitting his talent and he was lowered into the ground where I’m stood. They knew Herbert as a amiable, mild-tempered lad - well-behaved, modest and unassuming.

 

Not much to see at the grave but overgrowth. There wasn't even some trampled grass to testify to previous visitors. This unlucky lad had a glittering career ahead of him but only managed 39 fights (from 1917 to 1921) of which 26 were wins. He shares this grave with mum and sister (not sure where his brother is buried...not yet anyway.) No old bones in this grave  - Herbert's mum was 41 and his sister was 26. We don't know how lucky we are. I did a salute and left.

 

 

before the world wars boxing fights were held regularly and Mexborough town (near Doncaster) produced three talented boxers - heavyweight champion Iron Hague British, light-heavyweight Harry Crossley and his eldest brother Herbert. Here I am on the overgrown perimeter of a pretty churchyard in Mexborough where Herbert lies forever. There were no sign of visitors.

 

Herbert was born nearby in 1901. He was on stage aged 16 - not acting but in a boxing contest. The ring had been set up inside Mexborough’s Empire Theatre. This was his first professional contest and he beat a lad from Rotherham in two rounds. He started fighting elsewhere in the north - in Sheffield, Doncaster and Manchester. Aged 18 he won a novices heavyweight competition held at British boxing’s HQ at National Sporting Club in Covent Garden (down in big London.) All the while he was working through in the daytime at Manvers Main Colliery.

 

Before exiting his teens he beat British light-heavyweight title challenger Harry Curzon and future champion Tom Berry. Though 5ft 10ins tall Herbert was a small heavyweight. He wasn’t all meanness and muscle, more a scientific boxing employing a mix of speed, nimbleness, pluck, pace and patience.

 

After seeing him box in London the veteran American manager Charlie Harvey urged Herbert to come to the States. He didn’t want to go but agreed to a short three-week trip. In New York he trained at the famous Grupp’s gym on 116th Street and 8th Avenue. He shouldn’t have gone. He had a few fights but suddenly fell ill and spent several days in bed with flu. Worsening each day he was admitted to New York’s Roosevelt Hospital. Despite receiving a blood transfusion he died from septicaemia aged 20. His body was embalmed and sailed back to Britain. The stunned people of Mexborough gave him a grand funeral befitting his talent and he was lowered into the ground where I’m stood. They knew Herbert as a amiable, mild-tempered lad - well-behaved, modest and unassuming.

 

Not much to see at the grave but overgrowth. There wasn't even some trampled grass to testify to previous visitors. This poor old lad probably had a glittering career ahead of him but only managed 39 fights (from 1917 to 1921) of which 26 were wins. He shares this grave with mum and sister (not sure where his brothers is buried...not yet anyway.) No bones in this grave lived to a ripe old age - Herbert's mum was 41 and his sister 26. We don't know how lucky we are. I did a salute and left.

 

 

Herbert Crossley