WILLIAM CUTHBERT TAYLOR – 1909 – 1977
A matter of black and white.
A Merthyr Tydfil story of racial exclusion.
by Irene Janes
Now there’s a name to conjure and in a way it was as his first name of William was dropped, and he was known as Cuthbert Taylor. He was born to Cuthbert Taylor and his wife Margaret Anne in 16 John Street, Georgetown, in 1909. By 1920 the family had moved to Mary Street, Twynyrodyn.
Merthyr boxing enthusiast may recognise his name others for racial discrimination. During his career, Cuthbert fought two hundred professional bouts. He won one hundred and fifty one. Lost sixty-nine and drew twenty two times and only knocked out once, a worthy opponent for anyone.
He was selected to represent Britain in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam but was defeated in the quarterfinals of the flyweight class to the potential silver medallist Armand Apell. At this time, the Olympic Games competitors were strictly amateur status.
Cuthbert may not have won a medal but was and still is celebrated as the first black boxer to compete for Great Britain in an Olympics. He was only the third black British Olympian. The others were Harry Francis Vincent Edward and Jack London, both athletes.
After the Olympics Cuthbert returned home and turned to the professional side of the sport. On 29 December 1929, his first professional match was in Merthyr, the contest was a draw. Nevertheless, his next fight was a win over Armand Apell. By the middle of this year, he moved up a weight division to Bantamweight. He went on to defeat defeated Dan Dando to gain the Welsh Bantamweight Championship.
Although being recognised as one of the best in Britain there was one hurdle that his perfection at his craft could not overcome. He could not fight for the British title, and why? The colour of his skin.
His father was of Caribbean decent, his mother white welsh, the championship was closed to non whites regardless of their established good character, record and skill. As an amateur, he was good enough to represent Great Britain in the Olympics but not as a professional to claim the title of British Champion.
Later he passed on his boxing expertise onto another great Merthyr boxer Howard Winstone.
Cuthbert died on 15 November 1977 and still living in the town of his birth.
N.B in 1911 the then Home Secretary Winstone Churchill succumbed to pressure when Jack Johnson an American black boxer was billed to fight British white boxer ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells in London. There was uproar that a black boxer and a white boxer would compete on British soil. At this time, there were anxieties over the future of the ‘white race’ and concerns over how a coloured fighter defeating a white opponent would affect the colonies. This rule of racial exclusion was not reversed until 1948. In June of that year boxer Dick Turpin defeated Vince Hawkins, in Birmingham, to win the British middleweight title. So not only did Dick win the title fight but is credited to be the first non- white man to win it since the ban was lifted.
The central library in Merthyr Tydfil holds a black file containing photocopies of many letters sent to Cuthbert Taylor him from agents.
A book has been written about our Champion think it is titled ‘Just a Little Bit of Brown’. I don’t know the author but would love to find a copy.
Hi Irene I’m Cuthbert Taylor’s great granddaughter I could put you in contact with my father ( Cuthbert’s grandson) who would be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have regarding Cuthbert
Thank you
Lynsey
Dear Lynsey. I am a theatre director born in Merthyr and I am keen to research your great grandfather’s story as an inspirational play for young people. Would you be happy for me to talk with you and your family.
Thank you
Hiya geinor
Thankyou for your message regarding my great grandfather Cuthbert Taylor, I’d be more than happy to talk to you about my great grandfather and all his successess, a inspirational play for young learners sounds great if I cannot answer questions I would be more than happy to put you in contact with my father Cuthberts grandson who knows alot more than I do
Thankyou
Lynsey
Hi
That would be incredible. Are you able to email me on geinorg@gmail.com your email address then we can arrange the best time to chat.
I visit my mam who lives in Twyn at least twice a month.
Geinor
I am Merthyr exile living in Birmingham, as is the normal practice if you have a welsh accent people ask where do you come from, as proud ex Merthyr Tydfil person I answered Merthyr, I went to our local cafe on Sat 6th Feb 21, Bugsys in Shard End the owner advised he was related to Cuthbert Taylor and he still had family in Merthyr , small world
Wow that’s amazing I do no cuthberts sister moved to Birmingham years ago so maybe that’s where the link is. You haven’t got an address for the cafe by anychance have you? That would be brilliant to have some kind of knowledge of who they are and how they belonging to my great grandfather it’s a very small world your absolutely correct. Thankyou in advance.
Hi it is a small world the owner of the cafe is my cousin Paul. And William cuthbert Taylor was my grandmothers brother. her name was Nancy Ann Taylor also had sisters Allwyn, celia, Anita, eyvonne and val .The cafe is on the heathway shard end .I only came across this post because my niece is looking at our family history and she’s has had some Dna matches
Wow, thats brilliant it just goes to show how small a world we live in. If you don’t mind me asking which one of Nancy’s children is your parent if I remember rightly from story’s that my grandad ( cuthberts son David Taylor ) along with my father have told me I think there was a Karen, Keith and Kevin (not entirely sure if I’m right) yes they are Cuthberts sisters val still lives in the same house they got brought up in its a crazy small world and to know there’s family around places other than Merthyr is brilliant.
Hi lynsey yes that’s correct I am one OK Kevin’s daughters I’m Paula the eldest daughter.He had 7 children Keith had 6 children and Karen had 3 children .sadly the three of them are no longer with us 😢I lost touch with aunty val after dad died if you would like to add me on face ache that would be fine maybe you have aunty vals num take care look forward hearing from you take care xx
Awe so sorry for your loss😢 that’s awful. I haven’t got Facebook don’t realy bother with social media I must be the only 31 year old who hasn’t got it 😂I can give you my email address, lynseytaylor26@gmail.com and hopefully we can keep in touch, I haven’t got aunty vals number but I can try and get it for you my dad drops Xmas cards and things off so maybe he can get it for you at some point. Take care of yourself look forward to hearing from you again xx
Hi Paula, my mother Winifred was your gran, Nancys’ sister, I just came across this post by accident. My name is Carl Lewis, I am on Facebook. Your gran Nancy had 3 sisters, Bessie, Winifred and Olwen. Olwen was adopted by my grandparents
Hello Lynsey, you may know me or my dad Melvyn Lewis son of Winifred Lewis (Maiden name, Taylor) sister of Uncle Cuth. I have just come across this article and wonder if you have further history of our family? My dad and Auntie Val gave me some photos and news clips of my great Grandfather Charlie and the Photo of my Great Nan with the fox, “not sure if you have seen it? Sadly I have very little information about my great Gran even though I carry her maiden Name of Rees as does my dad and I’d love to know more about this side of my family. It would be lovely to hear from you or any other relatives that could help me know more about uncle Cuth and my great Grandmother and Grandfather so I can keep pass on the stories to my girls and grandchildren. I hope I’ll hear from someone about this.
My best regards
Steve Lewis
Hiya Steve sorry only now seeing this. I’m unsure of yourself or your dad Melvin but I’ve asked my father and he said that Melvin used to visit quite often to see Cuthbert the house is still in the family, my father owns it now which is lovely as that means 3 generations of Taylors have lived there. I’ve not seen the photo of Margaret Ann with the fox would be lovely to see so I can show my dad. I know Cuthbert found that fox began feeding it and in the end it was his pet acted just like a dog haha. My father has lots of info and photos of Cuthbert not so much on Charlie unfortunately he knows alot more than what I do as he remembers his grandfather I never met him so I’ve only ever hered story’s from my grandfather ( Cuthberts son) and my own father (Cuthberts grandson) we went to the cemetery last week and laid flowers there’s 3 in one resting site that would be Margaret Ann, Cuthbert and my gran Cuthberts wife I’m pretty sure Charlie’s resting place is in Pant cemetery don’t quote me on that mind I’d have to ask my father for definite as I wouldn’t like to give out false information to you. I hope I’ve been at some help to you my dad would be the best one to talk to as he knows far more than what I do. Are you from merthyr yourself? Take care hopefully speak soon
Lynsey Taylor
Hiya Lynsey, I’m not from Merthyr, even though I call it home.
I visit Merthyr not as regularly as I’d wish as my mum n dad settled in Taunton after dad left the forces. I remember visiting Uncle Cuth’s house shortly after he passed away and remember being lead into his trophy room and remember how proud I felt to hear where this side of our family came from. I never saw colour to me they were part of a massive family that I was fortunate to be part of.
After seeing your post I went over to Mum n Dads and was talking to them about the arrival and your post.
I’ve been blessed with 2 grandchildren that I want to pass this history down too.
I know from things I’ve heard Auntie Val looked into that it is a fascinating history and I’d love to confirm everything I’ve heard.
I do know that when Uncle Cuth and my Nan (Winifred) would spar together and that my Gramp, (Garfield) was 1 of I believe 18 and also believe that one of Gramps sisters was the mother of Howard Winston.
Dad has told me some stories of my great Grandfather “Charlie”, who I’m guessing is your Great Great Grandfather, when he was growing up and told me that our family is spread far and wide so I was surprised to hear what Alan Evan’s wrote.
I’m hoping to come home later this year and would love to be able to meet up and exchange some stories with you and your Dad and I’m so glad the house is still in the Taylor Family.
When ever I come home I always try and go up to see my Nan n Gramp and have a couple time attempted to visit Uncle Cuth’s resting place as he and Nan’s resting place are on the same side of the Bridge but Pant Cemetery is so big, and even though I knew the rough area he is laying I’ve not yet found him.
Would it be ok if when I am able to come home and give you a week or so notice we can arrange to meet and visit your dad? I can bring with me the photos i have and news clips I’ve been given by Dad n Anutie Val.
Best regards
Steve.
stevelewis96@msn.com