Courtesy of Dominic Creechan, who’s father Jimmy Creechan features in the photograph that was originally displayed in the Hamilton Advertiser newspaper. The exact date it was taken is unknown but was most likely the late 1950’s to Early 1960’s approximately. Many prominent catholic men are gathered on the steps leading into St Mary’s RC Church in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The photograph also features the then priest for the church Fr McNamee. Dan Daly, my great uncle John McManus (who was a popular musician/entertainer for the town), his father and my great grandfather Henry “Scout” McManus (who was a Goalkeeper for Hibernian F.C. and popular musician for the town) and lastly my grandfather Axe Murphy.
The above photograph belonged to my Grandfather Alexander (Axe) Murphy and I subsequently inherited it after he passed away. Many copies of the photo were printed and distributed amongst the family and close friends. It features Hamilton Champion Boxer Jim Higgins and Cowal Games (Highland Dancing) Champion Hannah Kemp. Although the location is not known it was most likely taken at a local exhibition hall. Jim’s Mother was Mary (Murphy) Higgins, and she was my Great Great Aunt.
The photo is dated c. 1921 and at that time Jim was 24 Years of age. His Date Of Birth was the 25th October c. 1896. He reached the age of 25 on his birthday, which was later during the same year the photo was taken! If you look closely enough you can see Jim is wearing his Lonsdale Belt which he won on 31 January c. 1921 by a Win on Points against Ernie Kid Symonds for the British Bantamweight Title.And, all of Hannah’s dancing trophies are displayed on the small table.
Jim Higgins is regarded by many local people including myself as being the town’s “Father Of Boxing!” Because he is the first known Professional Boxing Champion to hail from Hamilton. Around the same timeline there was another Hamilton Boxing Champion named John Fleming, who was better known under his fighting names “Johnny Brown” and “Hamilton Johnny Brown”. But he had won the East of Scotland Featherweight Title c. 1919 as an Amateur. He also won the Amateur Boxing Association Featherweight Title c. 1920, towards the end of the same year he turned Professional and subsequently did not win a Professional title until c. 1922. So, therefore Jim Higgins is the First Professional Boxing Champion from Hamilton, Lanarkshire. This achievement and statement of fact is something Hamiltonians should be very proud of and it should be recognised! He strongly influenced Joe Gans; the Father/Manager of Walter McGowan, who was another one of Hamilton’s Famous Boxing Champions!
Please note that the above newspaper obituary clipping incorrectly states that Jim “won a Lonsdale Belt after beating Harold Jones in February, 1920.” This is when he first actually won the British Bantamweight Title! But to keep a Lonsdale Beltyou must win and defend it three times.
His professional boxing career began with a KO Win on the 17th February c. 1919 against Joe Clark. And, ended with a Loss on Points against Billy Smith on the 20th October c. 1930. He fought a total of 35 bouts. Won 19 (10 by KO), Lost 13 (8 by KO) and had 3 draws. The highlight of Jim’s boxing career success was when he won the Lonsdale Belt outright on January 31st c. 1921 in a record time of under one year (11 months, 8 days since first gaining the title) which was followed by two defences. To this day the record remains unbroken! In fact, during the year c. 1920 Jim Higgins had won both the British Bantamweight Title and the Inaugural British Empire Bantamweight Title. And as previously stated, he is the First Professional Boxing Champion from Hamilton ” Hamilton’s Father Of Boxing! ” He died on the 26th November c. 1964 (Aged 67) and was working as a doorman for an Argyle Street Bookmakers at the time. R.I.P.
Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy.Holding the original photo of
Hamilton’s First Professional Boxing Champion
” Hamilton’s Father Of Boxing! “
Jim Higgins c. 1921.
Written by
Hamilton Historian.
Terence (Terry) Murphy.
Ref: Family Photographs and Knowledge, Daily Record Newspaper and Wikipedia.
Hamilton Historian. Terry Murphy standing at the former location of the Peephole. Now at the foot of Fairhill Avenue, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Peephole was located on a footpath bridge that connected the Gate Lodge for Fairhill House to the House. The Bridge also intersected the Cadzow Burn.
The tallest building behind me in the photograph is Ivy Grove and was once locally known as the “Majors House”, after an army major who lived at the address. It was recently renovated. This building along with several others including “Hollandbush” (which also still survives to this day) were originally built as houses for the wealthy Glasgow born coal merchants who opened all the nearby coalfields and pits. Ironically at a later date, pits were developed close by to their houses and this no doubt would have annoyed them as they were originally intended to be out of the way, in their own separate little ” Pleasant Land”!
The lands of Ivy Grove were known as “Ivy Wood”, My Mother and Father’s Group Wedding photo was taken at the top of the former site of Ivy Wood, across the road and just up from the “Hilltop Bar and Lounge” where their reception was held and this is now the site of the Scotmid Co-Operative store. Just left in the photo a small outbuilding for Ivy Grove is visible. My mother would often recount the funny story about her veil blowing up onto the trees and My Father and Uncle having to climb them to retrieve it.
Left – Right: My Paternal Great Uncle John Murphy, My Paternal Great Grandmother Helen “Nelly” (Montgomery) Murphy, My Paternal Grandfather Alexander “Axe” Murphy, My Paternal Grandmother Mary (McManus) Murphy, My Mother’s Bridesmaid and Friend Helen Ging, My Father Terence John “Terry” Murphy, My Mother Marion (Simpson) Murphy, My Uncle Alexander “Lex” Murphy, My Maternal Great Grandmother Marion (McGroarty) McCallum, My Maternal Grandmother Bridget (McCallum) Simpson and My Maternal Grandfather James “Jimmy” Simpson. R.I.P. The only two surviving people from the photograph are the Little Flower Girls: My Older Cousins, Sharon (Mathieson) Aubrey on the left and Denise Mathieson on the right.
The above photo was taken in the Windsor Bar, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland c. Mid 1990’s when Danny Sinclair still owned the pub. From Left – Right: Robert Montgomery Murphy “Teedy”, Charles Murphy “Chic” and Alexander Murphy “Axe”. Chic is now the last surviving member of the Cadzow Murphys.
This photograph was taken at the Pensioners Christmas Party of c.2010 in the Victoria Bar (Millers), Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Left to right: Janey Cutler who was a Finalist in the TV show Britain’s Got Talent c.2010, My Grandfather Alexander (Axe) Murphy and Ricky Hart (who was my Grandfather’s Friend and married to his Cousin Marie “Montgomery” Hart). I also regarded Ricky as my Uncle. R.I.P. to all concerned!
Hamilton Historian. Terry Murphy 