People Gallery

Hawking Family, Bude, Cornwall. Early 1900s

Family group posed by a wall in Bude or nearby locality. N.J. Hawking (senior) and family before the First World War. The yard where the group is sitting is now incorporated into the shop belonging to Peter Truscott - 31 West Fairholme Road, then (1910) at 8 Lansdown Terrace. Photographer: N.J. Hawking

© From the collection of the RIC

Matthews

© From the collection of the RIC

Character, Cornish, Cornwall, Personality, Sport, Sportsman, Traditional, Winner, Wrasslin

Captain Tom Gundry, champion Cornish wrestler. Probably early 1880s

A studio portrait photograph of the champion Cornish wrestler, Thomas Gundry, wearing a wrestling jacket and two championship sashes. Gundry was born at Higher Prospidnick, Sithney, on 16th October 1818 and died at Stennack, Camborne, on 22nd October 1888. His obituary in the Mining Journal of 27th October 1888 reads "Captain Tom Gundry is dead. This brief announcement will be read with regret by Cornishmen in every quarter of the world. Captain Tom was the best known of the old school of Cornish wrestlers, and will be remembered for his prowess in the ring, and not as a mine agent. Born 70 years ago Captain Tom was bred in the parish of Sithney and from a child developed a strong passion for the favourite sport of the West Countryman. In the old days, wrestling was cultivated to a far higher degree than now; the leading gentlemen of the county, assisted by their patronage, presence, and financial support; and a match was the signal for an exodus of miners to witness the bouts. Captain Tom held the championship for a long period; he won many cups, and wrestled, not only in Cornwall and Devon; but in London also. It is said of him that whilst he unquestionably bought many backs, he never sold his own. He was at one time agent at Camborne Consols, and at another period agent at North Basset. Of late years he now and then assisted as stickler in the wrestling field. He expired at his home near Camborne, on Tuesday evening." He was married four times, the last at Treslothan, Camborne in May 1880. Photographer: John Charles Burrow

© From the collection of the RIC