Object of the month, October 2009
Photograph of Len Johnson, at the New Cross Greyhound Stadium in June 1933
October's object was about Manchester boxer and political activist Len Johnson.
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Michael Herbert, volunteer, chose this month's object:
"I was told about Len Johnson by Ruth and Eddie Frow on one of my first visits to their house on Kings Road in 1981. I was fascinated enough by what they told me about him, and the small archive they showed me, to research and write a book about him which I called Never Counted Out! This traced his career as a boxer and his political activities after he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain. I like the picture of him at the races because it captures his character. I spoke to many people who knew him or had met him and they all testified to his warmth and generosity. The woman he is with may have been his sister, Doris." |
Len was born in Manchester in 1903 and fought professionally as a boxer from 1922 to 1933. Despite many successes he was banned by the boxing authorities from a chance at titles because he was mixed race (His father Billy came from Africa).
After leaving the ring he toured with a boxing booth until 1939. During the war he worked in Civil Defence. About this time he joined the Communist Party of Great Britain and was politically active in the 1940s and 1950s. He stood unsuccessfully for election in Moss Side on several occasions and also set up the New International Society. He died in Oldham in 1974.
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Len's election leaflet, May 1949. He stood 6 times in Moss Side, but never attracted more than handful of votes. |
Len pictured with his boxers in front of his boxing booth.
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