Comments on: Ron Cooper, Lightweight Champion Boxer

By: Frank Johnson

Frank Johnson — Sun, 09 May 2021 19:09:52 +0000

I knew Ron very well when he worked for a Company in the City called Exco International.
It’s so heartening to hear about his boxing stories. I knew he was a great amateur boxer, but never knew he had over 26 fights as a pro. God Bless you Ron, and stay safe.
Frank Johnson.

By: Jacqueline Holland

Jacqueline Holland — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:39:44 +0000

I am Ronnie Cooper’s niece! , Ron’s wife Bessie sadly passed away a few years ago. Ron’s wife Bessie and my mum Mary Buckingham are sisters. I speak to my uncle Ron frequently. He’s a character and half. He carried the Olympic Torch in 2012 at West Ham where he still lives. My name is Jackie Buckingham. . My uncle loves his boxing, as my boxing friends love Ron xxxxxxxxx

By: Ruairi mcguigan

Ruairi mcguigan — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 15:22:16 +0000

I am doing an art project on the history of east end boxing. i am studying illustration and would love to meet, talk to and draw ron copper. if anyone would be able to help me make contact with him or any of the other interesting characters from east ends boxing history i would be very grateful.

By: Terry

Terry — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:21:03 +0000

Ron is still going strong he married my second cousin Bessie ,Ron as just had a hip replacement.

By: andrea

andrea — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:42:58 +0000

Jeannette, in case you missed it, the Gentle Author wrote about Mickey Davis in this post:

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2012/03/06/mickey-davis-at-the-fruit-wool-exchange/

By: Jonathon Green

Jonathon Green — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:32:02 +0000

Those who fancy more of the same, but older and American, might want to try Peter Heller: In This Corner (1973) (http://amzn.to/KOe61Y) . Forty world champions from 1910s onwards reminisce.

By: jeannette

jeannette — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:48:37 +0000

here is davies (back to camera) leading a shelterers’ meeting.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/committee-meeting-in-mickeys-shelter-an-improvised-air-raid-news-photo/89729051

By: jeannette

jeannette — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:44:50 +0000

i hope you will pardon me for introducing a subject that is off topic.
I recently acquired a copy of this 1984 (ca.?) book.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Under-Subterranean-Guide/dp/0719552885
it is marvelously well written and full of layers, the way the london is you so often write about.
the first chapter is about the use of the tubes as bomb shelters during ww2. it was strictly forbidden, unless you were a passenger — so everyone bought tickets.
the heavily bombed east enders liberated two huge commercial underground spaces — “Tilbury”under Commercial Road and Cable Street, and “Mickey’s Shelter” under Stepney.
mickey davies was a three-foot-tall hunchback who supervised his space, was replaced by a government-appointed shelter marshal, and by popular demand of the shelterers reinstated.

the mass observation documents recording conditions at tilbury are quoted — these docs of sept 14 1940 now at an archives at the university of sussex.

the sculptor henry moore gave up riding around london in his car once he caught sight of the shelterers and made extraordinary drawings of them from memory, as drawing them on the spot would have been like drawing “in the hold of a slave ship.”

self government was an enormous feature and was well established by the time the government tried to regulate the spsaces. under the savoy hotel a replica of the titanic ballroom was built as a posh bomb shelter chronicled by cecil beaton. into it the communist MP phil piratin led 100 east enders who could not by law be excluded. they left after the raid, remembering to tip the staff.

i don’t know if there are other sources on Mickey Davies and the shelterers. but this was wonderful.