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1. Born to entertain
 | Terry Larkin, looking good at 71, started entertaining in the air raid shelters
Terry was born in Upper Jackson Street, opposite the United Club, in 1932 and was the youngest of twelve children. Little wonder that he became an entertainer but he recalls that he began his career by cheering up people in the air raid shelters during the war.
He finally went on the stage in 1946 with The Carol Levis Show before being conscripted into the army. However, by the time he was demobbed he had developed an act and smoothly took up his career as a Club entertainer, singing, telling jokes and "MC-ing". A popular all-rounder, he "did" the pubs and clubs of South Bank and district, gradually widening his domain until he had worked all over the UK.
In that time he worked with "star" names such as Larry Grayson, Engelburt Humperdinck, Susan Maughan and many, many others and even a TV appearance from Wembley Studios in 1958. Finally Terry settled in London where he had regular bookings due in no small part to a local who befriended him called Reggie Kray! Terry said that Reggie was always saying that he couldn't bleedin' understand him. Was he inferring that Slaggy Islanders have an accent? Us?!
After the downfall of the Krays Terry kept up correspondence with Reggie and still has his letters.
Eventually, he came back to South Bank and gave up showbusiness after thirty years on the boards for a more settled life with his wife Phyllis. Terry had always been a boxing fan and turned his hobby into an earner by writing many articles for newspapers and magazines.
Now-a-days Terry lives a quiet life in Normanby but sadly he lost Phyllis ten years ago. However he still has his memories and is a regular contributor to "Remember When". |
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2. Young Terry
 | | Young slim-line Terry belts out a ballad |
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3. Terry does Frankie
 | | Terry takes off Frankie Vaughan in the clubs |
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4. Sixties Terry
 | | Terry looking dapper with extra weight in the sixties |
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5. Boxing Correspondent
 | Terry's boxing stories merited his own logo
Every now and then an unfortunate accident occurs in boxing and do-gooders have a field day trying to have the sport banned. It was after one of these outcry's ruffled his feathers that Terry penned the following article which was published in several journals.
The Bare Knuckle Breed - by Terry Larkin
During my years in the entertainment business I often appeared on the Doncaster and District club circuit and after each show we used to have a late drink and chat. About 1962, a musician friend said to me one Saturday night "Terry, you are a keen fight fan, how would you like to see a battle tomorrow morning?" Naturally I was interested so he told me to be ready at 6am when he would pick me up.
After the late night I was feeling a bit rough but determined to see this early morning encounter as we drove for the best part of an hour to a lonely farm on the South Yorkshire moors. I noticed a lot of expensive cars parked close by as my friend led me to the cobbled farm yard where a group of men stood with their coat collars turned up against the cold morning mist. I soon realized that I was about to witness a bare fist fight. I had heard about these contests but had thought that they only took place at gypsy fairs.
The two participants entered the yard wearing the old traditional dress of long trousers, hung down braces and working boots. One of them was definitely of Romany stock about 22 years old while his opponent was a battle-scarred Londoner in his late thirties. After a few words they set too.
In all my years as a boxing fan I have never seen or want to witness again what happened during the two minutes that this combat lasted. They attacked each other with the ferocity of wildcats until the younger man went down on the cobbles. The victor then finished him off with his boots. There wasn't any count. It was obvious that the prostrate figure was unconscious and very badly injured. His second went to his aid and tried to bring him round but no one else bothered about him. The few spectators were busy exchanging twenty pound notes.
Within ten minutes they had all swept away in their limousines. Only a cold, misty silence remained as the battered young warrior was helped to a gaily coloured caravette by his mate.
I don't know many people who have witnessed such a savage battle, but I do know that they are still happening in secret venues around the country. If the British Medical Association and other "Ban Boxing Brigades" ever succeed in the prohibition of "The Noble Art" it will lead to an increase in unlicensed fighting. These sickening pirate shows will increase and result in many more deaths than have ever occured under controlled boxing. |
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6. Terry
A poem by Eddie Healy. 1998.
Terry was a welder - he sang a sweet refrain
I first saw him as Jolson - it was my teenage gain
Yes, Terry was a welder - he'd travelled here and there
I met him at the canteen where I could taste the fayre.
He'd spent some time in Swansea a singer of renown
His voice range was fantastic though he still could play the clown.
No matter where I travelled, I'd always hear his name
I never heard a harsh word but his voice they did acclaim.
In Construction on an island in a place called Scapa Flow
I met a Scottish welder whose heart was all aglow.
The story that he told me would fill your heart with joy
Since the last time he'd seen Terry he'd gained a girl and boy.
His marriage was almost over at Immingham with the "Bears"
But he'd gone back home to Scotland and spent some happy years.
As we talked and drank malt whiskey the reason filtered through
One action in a lifetime "Take a fortnight and renew".
So he'd done what Terry told him in the caravan they'd spent
Two happy weeks reliving - early times of such content.
He bade me when I left him to take his message home
Just an isolated instance to a man who loved to roam.
It was twenty years ago when I returned to my Teesside
To relate the happy story of John the welder from Clyde.
Now Terry likes to walk - he travels hills and dales
And oft times when we meet we talk of years in Wales.
A boxing historian - wondrous talents he has seen
But Terry was a Welder - both man and friend supreme. |
7. Al Jolson
 | Terry was well-known for his impression of singer Al Jolson
Photo from Terry Larkin |
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