In 1937 I was born in the City Road Hospital, London, and within the sound of the Bow Bells, this made me what is known as a true cockney. My Mother was born in Ireland, and my Father was born in the midlands of England, a place known as Bolton in Lancashire.

Dad was not known for his sporting activities, but he was brought up in Bolton and that area was renown for its wrestling. He never took part in the wrestling but appreciated the skills involved.

My Mother came from a large family, most of them were boys, she learned to look after herself against the antics of her brothers, and from what she told me, she dished out as much as she got.

My mother was 6 months pregnant carrying me and she enjoyed going to and watching the professional wrestling that took place in the halls around London.This style of wrestling then was known as All-in wrestling, anything goes, not like the stuff you have today with its planned movements and fake wins.

I think mum might have set a trend in the old days as being the original lady to use her umbrella against the bad guy that got away with all the dirty tricks. You see the same thing happening today on television. She told me about her wrestling interest many years later when I had taken up Judo. Mum swears that the wrestling had rubbed off onto me, and that’s the reason why I had taken up a fighting sport.

I remember at the age of twelve, we were living in a place called Stoke Newington in North London. Stoke Newington was considered one of London’s hard areas, it was situated close to Hackney and Hoxton, and not too far from Bethnal Green, these area’s are feared by people, and generally not the sort of place an average family would choose to live in. Gangs used to congregate at the local dance halls, and mobs would meet in the local park, purely to make trouble with other gangs that came from various parts of London, even the police would keep away from the gathering.

At our local park named Clissold Park, a gang fight started one evening; I remember it quite well, as I was there to watch it. The famous gang from the Elephant and Castle turned up this particular night, they were dressed in what was known as teddy boys, there must have been around fifty guys there.

What I didn’t know was that most of them carried hidden open razors, and chains.

The usual thing happened, the smallest bloke from one of the gangs moves over to the other gang’s patch and starts a fight with one of their bigger guys, and then all hell will break loose. It was very frightening for me to watch, there were bottles being smashed, chains thrown about, people with blood running down their face, I made a quick exit from the park and home to Mum and Dad. This was the sort of thing that was going on in most areas of London during my childhood years until I was about sixteen.

It was important to be able to look after oneself in London during these silly years, and many people took up boxing and other forms of protection for fear of being picked on.

At school, I had fast reactions, good coordination, balance, and for my size above average strength. With these assets it gave me very satisfying results with games and sport. Later in life, it helped me more so for my sporting career.

One of my fondest memories during my school days was when I was chosen to play along with a group of larger and older schoolboys at a game of handball; it took place in the schools gymnasium. The object of the game was to have seven players each side, two goal ends, and a basket ball, the rules were similar to soccer, the difference being, one used a clinched fist instead of feet to dribble or wallop the ball. My playing position was centre forward. I found that because of my slight size I was able to manoeuvre myself a lot faster than most other players. It was no problem for me to dodge, dribble, sway, or duck through and under the legs of the opposing team in order to pass the ball to my team members and finish to score several goals, thus making us the school’s top team.

Unknown to me the skills from this game were to be the foundations for judo yet to come.

My interest in gymnastics took a large part at school, I was keen to have a go at most of the expected levels, i.e.:- Rope climbing, Agility work, Horse and Box manoeuvres, Wall bars, Trampoline, and anything else that seemed a challenge.

Because I was nimble and showed good tumbling skills, I was chosen along with other school gymnasts in forming a team to represent the school with demonstrating gymnastic skills to other local schools.

I remember the time when our Headmaster sent a letter to the London County Council, inviting them to come along to our school gymnastic demonstration team. We put on one of our best displays ever. I thought this was pretty special. At the schools end of term prize giving, I was awarded a sports book in recognition for the best overall gymnast for that term.

Swimming was also one of my stronger sports, there was never a day gone by that I had not gone to the local swimming pool. Weekends I would go to the pool sometimes twice a day. I used to enjoy diving off all the boards, sometimes try to do fancy manoeuvres, and sometimes make as much splash as possible landing like a bomb. Mum “said that if I continued to go swimming as much as I was, I would grow webbed toes! I knew she was joking but I kept an eye on my feet each week just in case something did start happening between the toes.

Diving kept me adjusted with coordination, and the swimming gave me a well-developed physique. (Foundation for future judo).

News of Interschools boxing gave me a new interest and decided to have a go, so off I went to a private boxing club and over the next few months I had learned the basic fundamentals. My father was so keen for me to do well, he would support me at most venues and encouraged me to do my best. All though I settled in well, there was one major problem that kept on happening, my face marked so easily and my eyebrows being of predominant appearance cut and scar too easily, this ended my early days of boxing. Fortunately my experience with boxing gave me a good insight and understanding of fighting, dealing with nerves, and experiencing the competition atmosphere. (All three helped my Judo future). At fifteen it was time to leave school, the year was 1952/53. Inwardly I felt that I should have academically done better, but felt good in knowing of what I had physically achieved. My body structure was solid and defined; I was extremely fit, but concerned that I had not grown very much in height. I now was five foot in height and weighing under 9 stone (55 kilos).

I left school not knowing what type of work to try, I knew that I was good with my hands. I thought maybe woodwork would be a good job to try for, I had done well at school in this subject. My father suggested that my work should have a trade within it and to try my hand at printing. It was good sound advice, Bookbinding and printing was what I decided to go for. Work in those days was a lot easier to obtain, jobs were plentiful and easy to get.

I was fortunate to be taken on as a boy apprentice to a bookbinding company named “Bailey Brothers” they were situated in Holloway Road, North London. I remember my first weeks pay being “One pound fourteen shillings and sixpence.” my apprenticeship was to carry for six years, and I was pledged by indentures to remain honest, sincere, and loyal at all times, (it was hard to stick to it, but I did).

During this time I continued with my swimming and gym work. A year had past and my interest in sport was becoming more and more exciting, mainly because my size and weight was improving.

My age now was sixteen plus, and weighing about 9 stone and a few pounds, my height had lifted to 5ft 2 Inches. This encouraged me to workout extra in the gym, and to include more swimming. One night at the swimming pool, my friend Brendan Walsh said to me that he was going to go to judo classes for lessons on how to look after himself, and learn some self-defence. I didn’t take too much notice of what he said, as my immediate love was swimming and gymnastics.

It would be some twelve months later when I saw Brendan again, and he obviously had put on some weight and muscle. He told me that he was going to the local judo club three times a week and had passed examinations to gain his green belt.

He was trained by a “Black Belt” who could do fantastic throwing tricks within a blink of an eye. Although I was curious of what Brendan had told me, it really didn’t encourage me to do much about it. I continued to do the things that gave me satisfaction and enjoyment. At the Swimming pool there were a group of us that use to stick together and invent swimming games that kept us amused, such as, diving in at one end of the pool holding ones breath, swim as fast and as long as possible to try and complete two lengths of the pool under water, each length was of championship length, I managed one length and a turn.

Another game was to stand and wrestle on the edge of the pool to try and push your mate into the water, you had to remain on the edge and dry. There would be quiet a few of us playing this game.

I had good balance and managed to beat most of my mates with shoving or pushing them into the water. The occasion came when Brendan and myself were last to wrestle for final place; with a struggle I managed to beat Brendan.

Brendan said to me, “Brian, I really think that you should come along to my judo club, not only to see what happens, but have a little try at it, I am sure that if you did you would like it, you would do well”.

“Where is your Judo club,” I finally asked, “and what is the cost?”

“Don’t worry about the cost,” Brendan said, “just come and have a look.”

I decided to go and find out what this judo sport was all about, and arranged to go with Brendan the next evening to his judo club.

The year being 1954/55, my age 17 years. The Judo took place in a school gym within the area of “Holloway” North London; it was a 15-minute bus ride from where I lived. That night we arrived at the school and I could hear this thumping and wondered what the hell what is all this noise?

We entered the gym, and laid out on the floor were lots of old coconut mats with a white canvas covering these mats. There were about eight people laying down bashing hell out of these mats with their arms, and I thought at the time how odd!

Brendan went to change into his judo suit, and came out wearing what looked like white pyjamas tied together with a sash of green material, I asked Brendon, is this the belt that you told me at the pool? “Yes” he said with obvious pride. I quietly thought to myself I didn’t think much of the belt, I had visions of it being something like a boxing belt with all the fancy attire attached to it.

At this moment an older man in a judo suit with a black sash tied around his middle came over and introduced himself as the Instructor of the class.

The Instructors name was Mr, Jacob’s, he was about 5ft 10 inches tall, I would guess his age to be about 50 years, and his physique was of average build. He told me that he had studied judo in Japan soon after the war and was promoted to “Shodan” (1st degree Black Belt) in a club called “Kodokan”.

His black belt had faded and was torn in many places, but never the less it was black in colour, it went around his waist twice, then tied into a knot at the front just above his waist line.

I was not over impressed of how the belt looked and took the liberty to mention it to Mr, Jacobs. I would have thought that a black belt would have been more pleasing to the eyes, maybe with some fancy Braille and lots of gold and leather, rather than a length of cloth, he quickly said to me, it was not the appearance of the belt that mattered, but what it stood for, especially the colour “Black”.

I told him my name and of why I was visiting his club. “Brian” he said when I have seen to the class I will show you some of the breakfalls that are required in learning judo. If you manage to do them well, I will teach you a judo throw that will suit your build and will no doubt surprise you. I watched while Mr, Jacobs took the class for warm ups, It was interesting and so unlike any other method of warm ups that I had ever seen before. I was intrigued and thought that I could do what the class was doing, I wouldn’t mind having a go at it.

By this time several more students had arrived and kneeled to the mat edge and waited for Mr, Jacobs to acknowledged their presence. It was part of the discipline and respect for their instructor. Mr.; Jacob’s beckoned them onto the mat, each student made a kneeling bow then stepped onto the mat and mixed in with the other students already in the class. Soon the class as a group started to hit the canvas with their arms making the noise that I had originally heard when I first entered the gym. After a while the class grouped into pairs then started to lift each other up in different ways and dropping each other to the floor on their back making the loud noise as previously heard with their arms. Mr, Jacobs came over to me and said, would I like to try my hand at some of the things that I had seen? I was quick to reply yes.

Mr, Jacobs called over one of the class students and asked if he would show this new member “Brian” some basic breakfalls, no problem at all said the student, thanks Mr, Jacobs replied, I will continue to take the class.

I went to shake hands with the helper, he didn’t offer out his hand, but stood in front of me, gave a wonderful deep Japanese bow.

I was taken back a bit surprised, but quickly returned a pathetic dip from my waist to resemble a bow. I then introduced myself to him.

I remember this fellow to be wearing a blue belt, and I vaguely remember his name to be “Kelly”, he stood about six feet tall. Okay Brian, he said, lets go to a corner of the mat, out of harms way and run through some basic falls. He explained to me the reasons of why the breakfalls were so important, and how it would help me in creating a good solid base for judo. I had to prove to him that I was able to do all of the falls well and to show competence before allowed to the next stage, which would be judo throwing.

He also told me that in learning the falls it may at times become quiet boring, he continued to say sometimes elbows and wrists get quiet sore, and this caused a problem as to why a lot of learners got despondent and never came back for the second session. We don’t want this to happen to you, I quietly thought to my self, we will see about that.

Kelly said that the breakfalls were known as “Ukemi” In Japanese, but more commonly known to the members as carpet bashing.

I was to soon understand why, thank god today’s methods of learning are quicker, safer, better, and by far more interesting.

After about half an hour of various Ukemi, Kelly went over to Mr. Jacob’s and bowed in front of him, he then brought him over to me. I understand from Kelly that you are doing very well with your Breakfalls, let me see what you have learned, I quickly went through all the ways of falling using the various Ukemi that I had been taught. When I had finished, I noticed that there was a smile on Mr. Jacob’s faces he said to me, have you done judo before?

No I replied, I have done Boxing, Gymnastics, and lots of swimming. I have always been sport active.

Mr. Jacob’s said you appear to have a natural ability, I am more than happy for you to start learning some judo throws, but you must come along to my club on a regular attendance to practice your Breakfalls along with all the throws that you will be taught. I agreed, meanwhile I will show you a Judo throw that will suit your build, it is known as “Seoinage” (shoulder throw) it is commonly used as an effective small man’s throw.

Mr. Jacob’s went through all the aspects of the throw with me and allowed me to work with Kelly as my partner for the rest of the evening.

I remember the first time I managed to throw Kelly over my shoulder and drop him on his back to the floor, it was such an exciting moment, I thought it was fantastic. Kelly said that the technique was solid and had all the ingredients and makings of a good throw, he said I didn’t have to tell you that you must enter low as possible, you had done it naturally.

I was over the moon with his comments, by the end of the evening I was doing the shoulder throw with lots of confidence. I thought to myself I really have enjoyed this judo and assured myself that I intend to learn a lot more of it in the near future.

That night I decided not to go swimming, but to shadow practice the judo throw that I had learned at home on the carpet.

Mum and Dad watched me performing, they thought I was going crazy, there I was moving about the lounge pretending that I had a Person on the end of my arms and pretending to do this judo throw called the Seoinage. Mum and Dad thought that I was making up some crazy dance steps. It was the last straw when they saw me lay down on the lounge carpet only to bash hell out of it with my arms in judo Breakfalls fashion, they thought I was having a fit, they both looked extremely worried. I explained to them both of what I was up to, only then did they relax a little, but even today I think that they both thought that I was a little unusual at the time to say the least.

I could not wait for judo classes to come around quick enough, I was so keen, and often the first one on the mat ready to start.