Percy Vear
Herman "Percy" Vear (12 July 1911 – 16 March 1983), born in Crossflatts, Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He was a British professional boxer during the 1920s and 1930s.
| Percy Vear | |
|---|---|
 Percy Vear (right) | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Herman Vear |
| Nickname(s) | Percy |
| Weight(s) | Featherweight |
| Nationality | British |
| Born | 12 July 1911 Crossflatts, Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 16 March 1983 (aged 71) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 85 |
| Wins | 43 |
| Wins by KO | 3 |
| Losses | 28 |
| Draws | 14 |
| No contests | 0 |
Brought up in Crossflatts during the First World War, Vear lived in Keighley all his adult life. Boxers are among the most colourful athletes in all of sports, with names like "Hitman", "Bomber" and "Gentleman Jim", so it should come as no surprise that Vear was known as "Percy Vear". It is not known how or who gave Vear his fight name, but in this case it seems likely that "Percy Vear" is a play on the word to "Persevere" (Per·se·vere), which means,
1. to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
2. to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist. –verb (used with object)
3. to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.[1]
Boxing career
Vear was one of the most colourful characters in Keighley's professional boxing scene in the 1920s and 1930s. Vear was one of three fighters under the management of Keighley boxing promoter Sam Scaife during those boxing boom years, who also managed locally based fighters Freddie Irving and Johnny Barrett. Perhaps overshadowed by the other two locally, Vear proved to be a bill topper in his own right in many boxing halls up and down the country.
Boxing first as a flyweight, then bantamweight and later as a featherweight the demand of the boxing boom proved so hectic that going on for 30 fights a year were common (more that a lot of boxers today have in a lifetime).
Vear had 131 bouts (many as a substitute) during his professional career, spanning from February 1929 to November 1934.
Professional debut
His first professional fight aged 17 saw flyweight Vear lose a six round contest on points to (Bradford born) Young Broadley at a packed Drill Hall, Keighley on Monday 11 February 1929.
His second and third professional fights were against Silsden fighter Maurice Emmott, both of which ended in respectful draws for both boxers. The local newspaper, the Keighley News reported "Vear took a lot of punishment in the first two rounds, and had his opponent not been more accurate with his blows Vear would most certainly have been knocked out. As it was, Emmott's methods were very crude, but he did the greater part of attacking. As the fight progressed Vear showed improvement, and the decision of a draw was well received".
His bout with Barrett in Workington was hailed by the local press as the best fight ever seen in the area.
The Big Fight: Vear -v- Irving
Two professional boxers from the same stable (run by Mr Sam Scaife) were both making names for themselves, Percy Vear and Freddie Irving.
In just three weeks during 1932 they both took on a formidable opponent called Young Tucker of Nelson. 17-year-old Irving forced him to a draw at Colne, while Vear brought off a points win in Keighley Drill Hall. These creditable performances by these two stable mates aroused the interest of the boxing public, and this inevitably led to a money-match being staged in the Drill Hall on 11 April 1932.
It was reported at the time "The contest was one of ten 2 minute rounds at 9st, under forfeit. There were side-stakes of £25, plus a substantial purse offered by the promoter".
The match was one of the biggest local attractions Keighley fight fans had even seen for many years. They responded well and there was a capacity crowd of 1,400. The cost per ticket was 2s. 4d. for reserved seats and 1s. 2d for the remainder. Mr Harry Jennings of Bradford refereed the match and held the purse. The local newspaper, the Keighley News, which gave considerable space to boxing, reported, "that it was not until the final two rounds that Vear really came into contention".
Vear had obviously been saving himself, but by the time he had reached the point of wearing down Irving's defence it was too late. Irving took the match and the purse on a points verdict and it was a fitting climax to the 1931–32 fight season.
Other sporting activities outside boxing
Following his boxing career, Vear was involved with his local association football club, Keighley Town.[2]
He offered his services as fitness and exercise coach to the team. He helped structure the training and exercises on training nights and assisted in giving the embrocation muscle rubs before a game and at half-time.
The club played in the Old Yorkshire League for two seasons between 1946–47 and 1947–48 before folding.
The club was subsequently reformed in 1981 by ex-Wales and Bradford City footballer Trevor Hockey.[3]
Personal life
Vear was married to Doreen and they had three children, 2 sons, Terrance & Leslie & a daughter, Yvonne. Vear worked as a shot blaster for a local firm in Keighley the "Rustless Iron Company Ltd" now known under the acronym Trico Vitreous Enamel, and moved to the nearby town of Bingley.[4] He worked there until his retirement in the mid 1970s. The sole activity of the company was the vitreous enamelling of metal products and components with the ability to enamel anything from a bath to a cap badge. On 3 January 1974, Vear was presented by the "Rustless Iron Company Ltd" with an analogue "Gold Watch" for 25 years loyal service to the company.
Vear's wife died of cancer in 1968, and years later Vear remarried. He lived with his second wife Florence May at Broomfield Road, Keighley. Vear became ill in his late 60s and spent the last year of his life being cared for at Holmewood Residential Home, Fell Lane, Keighley.
On 12 July 2007, 96 years to the day of Vear's birth, his great-grandson, from his youngest son Leslie's line of descendants, was born. He is aptly named Jenson Percy Leslie Vear.
In 2009, Christopher Dunn (illustrator)[5] staged an exhibition of his watercolours entitled "Bingley Secrets". One of his pieces was of boxer Vear sitting on top of Damart UK Headquarters factory chimney overlooking Bingley.[6]
In 2012, a 'Traditional Real Ale' public house was named after Vear in his home town of Keighley in Aireworth Street in honour of his achievements.[7] There is a Pint of real ale beer named after Vear aptly named "Percy’s Pint", which may be found and consumed on the premise. This beer is specially brewed by Empire Brewery in Huddersfield.[8] There is another pub in Leymoor road, Golcar, Huddersfield called Percy Vear.
Career record
| 43 Wins (3 knockouts, 38 decisions, 1 retired, 1 disqualifications), 28 Losses (1 knockouts, 23 decisions, 3 retired, 1 disqualifications), 14 Draws | |||||||
| Res. | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location, UK | Notes | |
| Loss |  |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1929-02-11 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Handbill misspelt as "Veer" | |
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-03-18 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Handbill misspelt as "Veer" | |
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-04-08 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Handbill misspelt as "Veer" | |
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-08-21 | In the Woodlands Hotel Gardens, Harrogate | ||
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-09-11 | In the Woodlands Hotel Gardens, Harrogate | ||
| Win |  |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1929-10-21 | Starbeck Physical Culture Room, Starbeck | Handbill misspelt as "Vere" | |
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-10-27 | Batley Physical Culture Club, Batley | ||
| Draw | |
x | 6 (6) | 1929-10-28 | Drill Hall, Keighley | 2nd Fight in two days | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1929-11-29 | Gaiety Skating Rink, Castleford | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Win | |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1929-12-09 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Loss |  |
Stopped | 8 (8) | 1929-12-25 | The Rink, Knaresborough | Handbill marked as A.N.Other | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-01-15 | The Rink, Batley Carr, Dewsbury | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-02-17 | Drill Hall, Workington | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-02-24 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-03-03 | Birstall Physical Culture Club, Birstall | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-03-10 | Horton Green Social Club, Bradford | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-03-17 | Ideal Skating Rink, Harrogate | Handbill misspelt as "Vere" | |
| Draw | |
x | 8 (8) | 1930-03-24 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-04-06 | Horton Green Social Club, Bradford | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-04-07 | Birstall Physical Culture Club, Birstall | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-05-05 | Drill Hall, Workington | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1930-06-02 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Loss | |
KO | 4 (8) | 1930-06-30 | The Black Swan, Harrogate | Vear substitute for Alfred Buck | |
| Win | |
KO | 8 (8) | 1930-07-15 | Gomersal | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-09-01 | Victoria Hall, Saltaire | Handbill misspelt as "Veare" | |
| Win | |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1930-09-28 | Vulcan Athletic Club, Dewsbury | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1930-09-29 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Vear substitute for Young Haggas | |
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-11-10 | The Baths, Normanton | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1930-11-16 | The Premier School of Boxing, Liversedge | ||
| Draw | |
x | 8 (8) | 1930-11-24 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Stopped | 4 (6) | 1930-12-08 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Vear substitute for Young Ogden | |
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1930-12-14 | The Premier School of Boxing, Liversedge | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1930-12-21 | The Windsor Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-01-18 | The Premier School of Boxing, Liversedge | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1931-01-23 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-03-09 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Ryan stand-in for Young Stafford | |
| Draw | |
x | 10 (10) | 1931-03-23 | The New Stadium, Bradford | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-04-06 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-05-04 | The Windsor Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Draw | |
x | 10 (10) | 1931-06-03 | Wigan | controversial draw, Vear appeared to be easy Winner | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1931-06-15 | Don Road Stadium, Sheffield | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-07-05 | The Picture House, Streethouse, Pontefract | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-07-11 | The Plant Hotel, Mexborough | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1931-07-15 | Don Road Stadium, Sheffield | Inckles had verdicts over Jackie Brown (British Champion) & Bert Kirby (Ex-Champion) | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1931-07-29 | Newhall Sports Ground, Attercliffe, Sheffield | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-08-01 | Open-air boxing at The Plant Hotel, Mexborough | ||
| Draw | |
x | 12 (12) | 1931-08-15 | Newhall Sports Ground, Attercliffe, Sheffield | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-08-23 | The Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Draw | |
x | 10 (10) | 1931-08-28 | Denaby, Doncaster | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-09-20 | The Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-10-12 | Olympia Skating Ring, Wakefield | Aldred substitute for Joe Speakman | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1931-10-22 | Colne | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-10-25 | The Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | Callaghan substitute for Jacky Barber | |
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-11-03 | British Legion Club, Huddersfield | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1931-11-27 | Imperial Boxing Hall, Barnsley | Vear Substitute for Johnny Regan | |
| Draw | |
X | 10 (10) | 1931-12-03 | Victoria Baths, Nottingham | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1931-12-13 | The Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | Handbill misspelt as "Veir" | |
| Win | |
Disqualification | 6 (10 | 1931-12-13 | Rotherham | ||
| Draw | |
X | 10 (10) | 1932-01-11 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-02-08 | Skipton | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-02-15 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-02-21 | The Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | Handbill misspelt as "Veir" | |
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-03-21 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Tucker substitute for George Taylor | |
| Win | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1932-03-29 | Drill Hall, Workington | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-04-11 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-05-14 | Goit Stock Pleasure Grounds, Bingley | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1932-05-16 | The Racing Track, Goldthorpe | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-06-04 | Drill Hall, Workington | ||
| Loss | |
Disqualification | 5 (6) | 1932-06-18 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-07-01 | The Plant Hotel, Mexborough | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-07-22 | Nelson Football Ground, Nelson | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-08-08 | Keighley RL Football Ground (Cougar Park), Keighley | Vear substitute for Freddie Irving | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1932-xx-xx | Leeds | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-11-07 | Windsor Hall, Bradford | Vear substitute for Freddy Irving | |
| Win | |
Retired | 10 (12) | 1932-11-10 | Alexandra Stadium, Colne | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-11-14 | Olympia, Bradford | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1932-11-27 | Leeds National Sporting Club | ||
| Loss |  |
Retired hurt – burst ear | 9 (10) | 1932-12-01 | Alexandra Stadium, Colne | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-01-16 | Drill Hall, Halifax | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-02-06 | Drill Hall, Keighley | ||
| Win |  |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-02-10 | Wakefield Boxing Stadium, Wakefield | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-02-24 | The Gaiety, Castleford | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped by referee | 1 (10) | 1933-03-03 | Blackpool Tower Circus, Blackpool | Barlow current contender for Lightweight Champion of Great Britain | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 12 (12) | 1933-03-11 | Theatre Royal, Sunderland | ||
| Win | |
Stopped by Knockout | 7 (10) | 1933-03-17 | Drill Hall, Normanton | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 15 (15) | 1933-03-22 | Winter Gardens, Morecambe | ||
| Draw | |
x | 15 (15) | 1933-04-12 | Winter Gardens,Morecambe | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-05-01 | Olympia, Bradford | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped | x (8) | 1933-05-14 | Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-06-07 | Goit Stock, Bingley | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-06-24 | West Hartlepool | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped | 3 (15) | 1933-07-19 | Winter Gardens,Morecambe | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped | 7 (xx) | 1933-10-20 | North Shields Stadium, North Shields | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-10-22 | Brunswick Stadium, Leeds | ||
| Win | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1933-11-03 | The Picture House, Streethouse, Pontefract | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1933-11-13 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Vear & Jacques replaced Williams & Lee on the boxing card | |
| Loss | |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1933-12-08 | Drill Hall, Halifax | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1934-01-11 | Imperial Ballroom, Nelson | ||
| Loss | |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1934-02-08 | Imperial Ballroom, Nelson | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped | 3 (10) | 1934-02-26 | Hull | ||
| Loss | |
Stopped | 6 (10) | 1934-11-12 | Drill Hall, Keighley | Vear Substitute for Jacques | |
References
- http://dictionary.reference.com/search?db=dictionary&q=persevere
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "A century of sporting memories". Craven Herald. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- http://www.trico-ve.co.uk/history
- http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/leisure/knightsout/knightsfeatures/4568423.Guitarist_switches_to_art/
- http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ENWO1U-K2I8/Se7xtmwZSnI/AAAAAAAAACs/3UZKheQK4Ho/s1600-h/Percy+Vere.jpg
- http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/9619995.Percy___s_pub_set_to_be_a_big_hit/
- "Percy's pub set to be a big hit". Craven Herald. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110928165232/http://www.britishboxing.net/boxers_15178-Percy-Vear.html
- https://web.archive.org/web/20030929083016/http://www.prewarboxing.co.uk/boxer%20lists/V%20list.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20050216070434/http://www.prewarboxing.co.uk/records/danny%20wakelam.htm
- http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=318137&cat=boxer
- http://archive.thisisbradford.co.uk/2001/12/14/132340.html
- http://archive.cravenherald.co.uk/2001/12/14/132340.html%5B%5D