Boxing days revisited

I was interested to read in Issues 685 and 687 accounts of boxing activities in the Force.

When I first joined the Force in 1958, there was a small but active Police Boxing Association. The chairman was Don Bryan, an active boxer himself, Manager John Collins and Trainer Norman Reynolds.

Norman was a very well-known athlete who had been in Stanley Camp during World War II, and whose father had served before him in Hong Kong. Norman was particularly famous for the wonderful motorcycle acrobatic team he captained for many years, and whose members were mostly Traffic officers. Norman was CI Traffic for a number of years.

Training used to be at the old China Fleet Club (opposite Police Headquarters on the corner of Arsenal Street and Gloucester Road), and from time to time Don used to organise Boxing Smoker evenings where black tie, large cigars and whisky were the order of the day for spectators.

All boxers were invited and there was considerable interest from the British and American armed forces who were present in large numbers in those days. Our Chinese Police ORs always acquitted themselves well on these occasions. There were some very-keenly contested bouts.

When the Police Cadet School was established, and Paddy Birney was Commandant, the Force had a very fine boxing team, but worthwhile competition was becoming hard to find and the boxing smokers were not in fashion.

It is pleasing to note that boxing as a police activity appears to be back in favour. For the participants, boxing is a sport requiring individual talent, skill, fitness and courage, while for the spectator, it provides appreciation of the abilities and characters of the boxers, and a high degree of excitement as the bouts progress.

M.A. Turner
Retired Superintendent
Tarzali, far north Queensland
Australia

* This article has an English version only.








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