The Identities of Joe Beckett
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University of Southampton Faculty of Humanities History Traveller, Boxer and Fascist: The Identities of Joe Beckett Jennifer Ruth Lewis-Vidler ORCID ID 0000-0002-4235-2245 Doctor in Philosophy July 2018 University of Southampton Abstract Faculty of Humanities History Doctor in Philosophy Traveller, Boxer and Fascist: The Identities of Joe Beckett Jennifer Ruth Lewis-Vidler In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Joe Beckett carved his boxing career. Whilst there were many pugilists that represented Britain and Europe in the heavyweight championship title bouts during this era, Beckett’s identity was unique. Born into a travelling Showperson family and boxing in the fairground booths from a young age, he was discovered by his long term manager in his late teens and catapulted into professional fighting. However, Beckett’s remarkable Traveller and boxing career was not the only exceptional aspect of his life: his prominent involvement with the British Union of Fascists in the late 1930s ensured his detention under the British government’s Regulation 18b in 1940. Beckett’s life will be put into the wider context of British social, political and cultural history between 1850 to 1965. This study, of a traveller, his career as a professional boxer and British fascist is also explored through the concept of masculinity, adding further to the making and remaking of Beckett’s identity. The thesis is divided into three main sections. First racial, ethnic and national identity; second, masculinity; and third fascism. Within these three sections themes including national identity, the representation of masculinity through professional boxing and the attraction of fascism are considered. By analysing sources in the private realm and imagery such as family photographs, media pictures, cigarette cards and postcards alongside state and public archives, the thesis highlights the importance of Beckett’s persona utilising historical, anthropological and sociological approaches. Within the chapters a largely chronological approach is adopted primarily due to the progression of life story. This study especially considers the concepts of ‘Britishness’ in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in relation to Beckett. Themes such as race, ‘whiteness’ and wider minority/majority relation are considered throughout, exploring also the relationship between patriotism and nationalism in the life and career of Joe Beckett. Table of Contents Acknowledgements i Acronyms and Abbreviations iii Introduction (1) Aims 1 (2) Sources and Methods 4 (3) Biography 20 (4) Thesis Outline 43 Chapter One | Racial, Ethnic and National Identities Introduction 45 Travelling Showman, Gypsy and Traveller Identities 48 Irishness 69 Whiteness and non-Whiteness in the Constitution of British Identity 83 Conclusion 103 Chapter Two | Masculinity Introduction 106 Training: The Creation of a Professional Boxer 110 Agents: The Promotion and Pre-match Images 114 Violence and Sport 130 Match Imagery 152 Conclusion 164 Chapter Three | Fascism Introduction 166 Attractions to Fascism 171 The Problems with ‘Patriotism’ 180 Attitude to Sir Oswald Mosley 187 The Draw of Anti-Semitism 193 Anti-War Sentiment 200 The Consequences of Regulation 18b 206 Conclusion 222 Conclusion 224 Bibliography Section 1 – Primary Sources a – Archive 228 b – Printed Papers I. Autobiographies and Biographies 229 II. Contemporary Books and Pamphlets 230 III. Official Papers 231 IV. Periodicals and Newspapers 231 Section 2 – Secondary Sources a) Unpublished Ph.Ds. 232 b) Books 232 c) Articles and Chapters 253 d) Websites 266 Acknowledgements I should like to acknowledge the support provided by the Parkes Institute at the University of Southampton, without which, writing this thesis would have been impossible. In particular my colleagues in the Outreach Team, it has been one of the highlights in my Ph.D. career working with you all, thank you. Many friends and family have provided encouragement and kept me moving forward. Thanks particularly goes to Tina and Steve Johnson who constantly offer opportunities for counsel and have always provided me with a solid foundation on which to land. Thanks also to Claire and Richard Uphill, Sue Gifford and Karen Cove who have all carried me through some particularly dark times during the creation of this thesis. Appreciation also goes to the whole of the Lewis, Fosberry, Beckett, Johnson, Berkeley and O’Neil families for helping me to continue the legacy to which we all belong. I also feel incredibly privileged to have had a grandmother, Margaret Fosberry, who also felt it was her duty to write her father’s story - Grandma, I hope I did you proud. A very special thank you to Tony Kushner who has provided me with opportunities throughout the whole of my academic career at the University of Southampton. Without Tony this Ph.D. would not have been possible. His endless patience, straight forward feedback, constant support and inspiring knowledge has given me the determination to see this dream to the end – I will be forever grateful. A simple thank you barely seems enough for my mum Jane Lewis. Your unconditional love was and is always there. Without your conviction in my ability to write this thesis, I would not have finished. Likewise, there are not enough words of gratitude for my father-in-law Trevor Vidler. Without his unwavering encouragement I would not have finished this thesis. You have helped me achieve this and I will forever be thankful. Appreciation also goes to my boys, Stanley and Joseph, who have sacrificed time that they could have spent with me on the beach, picnicking, or just watching TV. I love you more than you can possibly know. Finally, my greatest thanks must be reserved for Anthony. His absolute belief in me, along with his wisdom, support and unwavering love which constantly provided me with the energy to keep going (along with the endless supply of Liberty notebooks). You are my hero, always have been and always will be. i For Dad – I miss you every day. ii Acronyms and Abbreviations ABA Army Boxing Association BBBC British Boxing Board of Control BBC British Broadcasting Corporation BBS British Broadcasting Service BUF British Union of Fascists EBU European Boxing Union FUBW Fascist Union of British Workers GTAA Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment IBA Irish Boxing Association IBF International Boxing Federation IBO International Boxing Organisation IFL Imperial Fascist League IRA Irish Republican Army IRL Immigration Restriction League ISBA Imperial Service Boxing Association MMA Mixed Martial Arts NSC National Sporting Club NUSEC National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship NUWSS National Union of Suffrage Societies PPU Peace Pledge Union USBA United States Boxing Association VDA Van Dwellers Association WBA World Boxing Association WBC World Boxing Championships WBO World Boxing Organisation iii Introduction (1) Aims This thesis will evaluate the life and identities of professional heavyweight champion Joe Beckett (1892? - 1964). Beckett’s boxing career spanned most of his adult life; firstly, in the fairground boxing booths and later, as a professional British heavyweight boxer which brought him both Commonwealth and national titles in spite of his Traveller heritage. Nevertheless, Beckett’s boxing career is not the only aspect of his life that is worthy of analysis. Later, Beckett was also an active member of the British Union of Fascists (BUF). He and his wife, Ruth, were interned on 22 June 1940 for their political activism. Indeed, analysing his membership in the BUF far right will provide a micro perspective on the dynamics of non-Jewish and Jewish relations in Britain. Beckett is an important figure in British history, but in spite of his unique career and national/international importance, this is the first study of Beckett’s life, including his sporting achievements and latterly his fascist political allegiance. The thesis will be a contribution to the study of British national identity, masculinity in sport, the national appeal of the British Union of Fascists, and the place of minorities in British society. It will do so by utilising approaches, specifically from history, sociology and anthropology. Most important will be an engagement with British cultural history from the periods between the mid-nineteenth century to 1964, when Beckett died. By taking the study back to earlier than Beckett lived, it will provide insight into the ethnic and racial minorities that migrated to Britain in the Victorian era, when his family migrated to Britain from Ireland. Whilst mass Irish migration to Britain peaked before Beckett was born, the wider perspective offered by broadening the period under review will further historical understanding of the complexities of national belonging in the nineteenth century. Moreover, the extended timeframe is necessary in order to investigate the rise of social Darwinism and concepts of a ‘perfect’ masculine physique that developed, which will be crucial to understanding Beckett. The evaluation of ‘Britishness’ is the forefront of the thesis and how it was constructed in relation to and by Beckett in regard to his traveller, boxing and fascist identities. These will 1 include a study on ‘whiteness’ and masculinity.