A family connection
By Simon Wellaway
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Simon Wellaway was intrigued by the portrait of the Devon wrestler on this website (Abraham Cann) and contacted RAMM. His own family were connected with boxing in St Thomas as he explains:
"My Great Grandad Hubert Wellaway was landlord of the Bullers Arms between 1914 and 1927. I have an extract from a document that states that in February 1899 the premises had 6 bedrooms, good stabling and a good yard and was largely frequented by cattle dealers and the local cycling club. At some point there was a boxing ring in the premises where possibly your wrestler could have fought??
In the late 30's my Grandad's (also named Hubert) brother Reg Wellaway (both sons of the above mentioned Hubert from the Bullers Arms) was a boxer. He had afight name of "Boy Wellaway". Reg died at the age of 29 from a blood clot on the brain. Could he have possibly started his career in that same ring??? Who knows???"
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Today the family continue to take part in community activites west of the Exe.
Hubert Wellaway's great great grandson enjoys trying on Tudor costume at a RAMM Roadshow
From the private collection of Simon Wellaway
The Curator of West Exe adds:
Here's an interesting mention of the Old Wrestling Field on Buller Road: The St Thomas Easter Fair (6 February 2008)