MILITARY BOXING TOURNAMENT
IN CHARLEVILLE, QLD
ON MEMORIAL DAY
MONDAY 25 MAY
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

A military boxing Tournament was staged in Charleville in western Queensland on Memorial Day, Monday 25 May 1942. The whole tournament went like clockwork and every bout was keenly contested.

Prior to the start of the Tournament, ten US Service personnel with rifles followed behind two other soldiers who carried the flags of the North and South of America. When they reached the boxing square, the officer in charge called a halt. The riflemen then discharged three volleys on command. A bugler then played a call, while all the men and officers stood at the salute as did all the citizens present.

An announcer on the PA system told everyone that the day was known as Memorial Day in honour of those who fell in what was known as the Civil War. He stated that they had fought for the liberty of all regardless of colour or creed. The Star Spangled Banner was then sung.

All of the bouts were conducted under the New York Boxing Commission rules. The officials were as follows:-

Judges:- Captain Gus S. Zinnecker, Captain Jack S. Rayburn and 1st Lieutenant Alvin V. Skiles.

Referee:- Private H. O. Casey,

Medical Officers:- Captain N. S. Saliba and 1st Lieutenant H. J. Dick

Timekeeper:- Sergeant J. P. Henderson

Their were eight bouts. A description of each fight was broadcast by local radio station 4 VL with Mr. J. Lang as the commentator. It was announced that there would be fortnightly tourneys (tournaments).

Bout No. 1 - between E. J. Brown and W. E. Bison. This fight was a draw.

Bout No. 2 - between I. J. Smock and R. M. Hunsucker. Smock was declared the winner on the unanimous vote of the three judges.

Bout No. 3 - between A. H. Logue and R. W. Lucker.  Lucker was declared the winner by a majority vote.

Bout No. 4 - between T. G. Batchelor and H. C. Chum. Batchelor won this bout.

Bout No. 5 - between C. D. Burdick and R. L. Wheeler. Wheeler won this fight easily.

Bout No. 6 - between H. S. Lesnikowski and R. H. Simons. This bout was declared a draw.

Bout No. 7 - between M. Bennally and J. Nigre. Bennally won this fight.

Bout No. 8 - between P. J. Lohnes and J. H. Boyd. Lohnes, who was known as "The Chief" was an Indian of Sioux blood. "The Chief" won this bout.

Just before Bout No. 8 commenced, the Referee, Private H. O. Casey, announced that he had challenged to fight the winner of this last fight at the next Tournament in a fortnight's time.

REFERENCES

"Splendid Boxing Tournament - Service Men seen in action", The Charleville times, Friday 5 June 1942

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 11 September 2019

This page last updated 24 January 2020