This is a photograph of a group of Brancepeth, No 4 Infantry Training Centre, Physical Training Instructors. I got this somewhat battered copy off a friend of Johnny Curry of Wheatley Hill, Co Durham, very many years ago. It deserves to see the light of day again, so here it is. Johnny and his elder brother Charlie were both semi-pro boxers in the 1930s and both came close to winning titles. Charlie joined the DLI early on and was a PTI at Brancepeth during the war. Johnny marked him on the photo, 'C C', second from right, front row. Obviously the most famous PTI at Brancepeth was the future manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Bill Nicholson. No idea if he's on the photograph, but he could be... This site has a few more details on Johnny and Charlie: New Page 0 The other names are a mystery. But now that it's parked up here maybe someone out there will eventually spot a familiar face or two..... . ..
A few more snippets of information on Sgt Charlie Curry, drawn from the local press of the era. It looks like Charlie Curry stayed at Brancepeth as a Physical Training Instructor for the duration of the war. The items below detail various championships and fund-raising boxing exhibitions in the main. Sunderland boxer and fellow DLI Sgt Tom Smith also features in several of these items. August 1941 Others to follow in separate posts for clarity.:
