jameslesliedarcy

Les Darcy (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• Seuss. said:

  James Leslie (Les) Darcy was an Australian boxer. from www.secondsout.com/columns/paul-upham/les-darcy-tribute-u... As the issue of conscription arose during the First World War, Darcy became a pawn in a tug of war between the Australian government and his mother. Under the age of 21, which disqualified him from automatic acceptance into the armed forces, twice Darcy attempted to enlist, but his mother Margaret refused to give her written consent. As more Australians lost their lives in World War I, Darcy continued his boxing career, but came under greater scrutiny from his critics. While conscription was still optional, the Australian government prevented Darcy from legally leaving the country to travel to fight in America. On 19 February 1916, Darcy knocked out Harold Hardwick in seven rounds to win the Australian heavyweight title. His final fight in Australia was on 30 September 1916, when he knocked out George Chip in nine rounds. Two days before his 21st birthday on 29 October 1916, Darcy stowed away on an ocean steamer bound for the USA and arrived in New York six weeks later. He was publicly portrayed as a coward by his critics in both Australia and America. After Darcy took the oath of allegiance to become an American citizen and joined the American Air Force, promoters arranged his first foreign fight in the USA to be held on 7 May 1917. Whilst training for his American debut, Darcy collapsed on 27 April 1917. He was admitted to hospital with septicaemia and endocarditis. It was suggested his blood poisoning had come from a fight a year earlier where he had lost two teeth. His tonsils were removed but he developed pneumonia and died on 24 May 1917. This photo is likely from his arrival in NYC in mid-December

• Pete (LOC P&P) said:

  seuss: thanks for finding the full background information on James Darcy. We'll include it in the record.