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Len Harvey

(1907-1976), Boxer

Sitter in 6 portraits
Harvey was one of the leading sportsmen in Britain during the interwar years. He was Champion of Great Britain in three different boxing categories, British Middleweight champion (1929-33), British Light Heavyweight (1933) and Heavyweight champion (also 1933). His international career reached a peak in 1939 when an audience of 90,000 witnessed his defeat of Jock McAvoy at the White City Stadium to take the British Commonwealth and World Light Heavyweight titles. Harvey also won three Lonsdale belts.

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Len Harvey, by Thomas Burke - NPG 6832

Len Harvey

by Thomas Burke
oil on canvas, circa 1938
NPG 6832

Len Harvey, issued by Gallaher Ltd - NPG D48997

Len Harvey

issued by Gallaher Ltd
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D48997

Len Harvey, issued by Godfrey Phillips - NPG D49089

Len Harvey

issued by Godfrey Phillips
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D49089

Len Harvey, by Unknown photographer, issued by  Carreras Tobacco Company - NPG D49364

Len Harvey

by Unknown photographer, issued by Carreras Tobacco Company
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D49364

Len Harvey, issued by Gallaher Ltd - NPG D48947

Len Harvey

issued by Gallaher Ltd
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1936
NPG D48947

Len Harvey, issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills - NPG D49197

Len Harvey

issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills
relief halftone cigarette card, 1937
NPG D49197

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Nick Harvey

21 May 2022, 20:10

Ted Harvey, Len's eldest brother, was my grandfather. My father also being called Edward (Ted). So Len was also my great uncle. I have an enormous amount of information about Len. How many people know he starred in a film? I am more than happy to share this information. Not to long ago I visited his grave and had a pie and a pint in one of the pubs he used to run!

Julia

20 June 2021, 21:12

Family story: my Great Grandad owned a pub (The Bull?) that had a boxing ring upstairs which Len used to practice in . Apparently my GG employed Len to look after his daughter (Doris- my Grandmother) as some kind of bodyguard. She met him again in later years at his pub and he remembered her. I’d love to have this story confirmed or maybe find out where the pub was

janet ann hayward

23 December 2019, 20:52

My mum Henrietta Hillier from Calshot Street, Islington used to go out with Len, She married my dad Charles Comerford from Tottenham,he was a PT instructor in the RAF, she must have liked sporty men. Her brother Alfred Hillier was a friend of Lens. She always spoke fondly of him, like she really liked him, she said he gave up boxing and ran a pub. Can anybody shed any light on this. Thank You From Janet Hayward nee Comerford.

Giselle Sorgo

31 October 2019, 17:54

Len Harvey was my Great Uncle and was married to my Grandmother’s sister. I met him often as a child. He was a very shy, mild-mannered gentleman who was very modest. I didn’t realise at the time of knowing him how famous he had been. He did not wear his fame on his sleeve. I remember him as a lovely, gentle man, smartly dressed and exuding a quiet confidence.