AUGUST 2025

MELVILLE 'SID' CLARKE by family member David Price

Melville, known by many names such as Sun, Sid, Eddy, was born 19th April 1912. He was married to Dorothy Louisa Jarram in 1937. Melville, or “Sid” was a keen boxer with 25 recorded fights over a period of 5 years, though he likely had more which were not recorded. 

He was the son of Teresa Annie Clarke (nee Davie) and Sidney William Houghton Clarke. Melville was one of several siblings including himself, Sidney Eric Clarke, Marjorie Annie Clarke, Kathleen Beatrice Clarke and Dorothy Clarke. Marjorie, or “Madge” would play a
key role later in Melville’s story.

He boxed at Bantamweight in the 1930’s with a record of W:9 L:14 D:2. During his career he also boxed against his mentor Eric Clarke who beat him in the first round of their contest by knockout. 

When the Second World War broke out Melville was enlisted and served
with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. His battalion served in India and Burma in 1942-43. It is unclear how much action that Melville saw in Burma, however I’ve had a story related to me that his brother, who at the time was a Company Sergeant Major within the Leicestershire Regiment, got him airlifted out from one of the landing strips that had been constructed inside Burma, and quite possibly saved his life. I’ve also been told he had nightmares for years after the war and that his best friend was blown up only a few feet away from him. I suspect it was at this point that his brother had him transferred to
his battalion, 7th Leicesters.

We do not currently have access to his service record but he did return home on compassionate leave due to his wife falling ill with Rheumatoid Arthritis and unable to look after their children. His sister Madge orchestrated his return by writing to a Major Kimball who in turn forwarded the requests for Melville to be brought home to the War Office. Eventually his return was allowed although dependent on available transport and manpower situations in theatre.

While he was in the army he was on his battalion boxing team and seems to have been their star. In one entry from the Green Tiger regimental journal/Magazine, it says: “The English copped the opening bout, a featherweight contest by sending Pte “Nobby” Clarke against Sergt. Alex Stubbs [an American]. Stubbs, unable to cope with the Englishman, was strafed about the head from all angles and was badly cut about the face at the climax.”

For his service during the war he was awarded the Defence Medal and
1939-45 War Medal. 

ROGER TIGHE by his son Dave Tighe

My dad was Roger Tighe from Hull. Won the ABA's in 1966 light-heavyweight went to Kingston Jamaica to the Commonwealth Games (Empire in those days ) were he won the gold medal was Henry Cooper's sparring partner for the Ali fight.

Turned pro in 1966 at heavyweight winning 20 and drawing 2 of his first 25 fights. He fought the likes of Ray Patterson, Richard Dunn, Gregorio Parellta and bunny Johnson whom my dad beat twice. He also boxed Jimmy Richard’s and Jape Pretorios in South Africa getting a win and a draw. Never got a shot at the title, became disillusioned and lost interest and lost his last few fights.

He boxed out of Hull Boys Club as an amateur and Merthyr Tydfil as a pro with Eddie Thomas who had Ken Buchanan and Howard Winston in his stable.

KAUKO ‘KAKE’ JULKUNEN by his son Johannes Stenberg

My father Kauko ”Kake” Julkunen was a promising amateur boxer until World War II interrupted his career. He was born in 1922 and volunteered for the front immediately upon turning 18. I have few documents about his boxing career, but I do have a special photo of him boxing. It was taken during the war (1941-1944) at the front lines. In the photo, he (a corporal) is teaching other soldiers how to box. I know that he won the Finnish military championship in boxing (under 66kg), but I don’t remember the exact year. The level of boxing in the Finnish army was high at that time, as almost all young Finnish men were in uniform. Boxing was highly valued as a sport and a good pastime for young men. My father was wounded in the war by shrapnel from a grenade, which troubled him for the rest of his life. After the war, he continued boxing for some time until he transitioned more into training and coaching. The aforementioned Elis Ask and Olli Mäki were also his friends, and I had the chance to meet them when I was young. My father continued boxing until he fell seriously ill. He, a war veteran and boxer, passed away in 1996. Pic attached.

TOM ARSCOTT by Joe Moore

Tom was the head coach & founder of Honor Oak Amateur Boxing Club in SE London and ran the club from 1983 to 2013 when he passed away of cancer. Tom was a former amateur and professional boxer. He boxed Alan Minter twice as an amateur. Tom was a passionate, knowledgeable and caring boxing coach. Real Old school with a great character and wit. He gave you the belief that you could beat anyone with him in your corner. One of his sayings was “They Got Two Arms, Two Legs & They Bleed, Exactly The Same As You. It’s about who’s mentally ready”. 

ANTHONY COSGROVE by his grandson Mark Cosgrove

This is my grandad Anthony Cosgrove he served in the Paratrooper regiment during the 2nd World War before the war he was Forces Heavy Weight Champion between 1936-38 this is all the information I have!