Person:Harry Meekins (1)

Harry Meekins was born on 22nd May 1880 at Lambeth, in the southern suburbs of London, son of Margaret Meekins, formerly Litford, and her husband Henry Meekins, a general dealer. His birth was registered as Harry, but in other official records later in his life he called himself Henry, although newspaper articles suggest he was actually known as Harry. He was baptised on 6th June 1880 at St George’s Catholic Cathedral in Southwark (as “Henricus”, the baptism being recorded in Latin, as was the Catholic custom).

The 1881 census finds Harry living with his parents at 25 Frances Street in Lambeth. His parents went on to have a son called John (known as Jack) later in 1881, followed by a daughter Margaret in 1882, who died when only a few months old early in 1883. Shortly after baby Margaret’s death, Harry’s mother died too.

His father moved to Woolwich, where he remarried in 1889 to an Alice Keating, who thus became Harry’s stepmother. Harry had nine younger half-siblings from his father’s second marriage.

It would seem that Harry stayed behind in Lambeth, living with some of his late mother’s siblings at 1 Salutation Place. That was his address given when he started St Andrew’s School in 1888, and he was still living there in the 1891 census with his uncles and aunts. His father and stepmother were living in Woolwich.

Harry has not been found in the 1901 census. It seems that he spent some time in the armed forces. Most of his service records have not been found, so the precise detail of when and where he served is not known, but his later service records from 1920 report that he had previously served in the First Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the Military Foot Police. He appears to have been serving in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1902 and 1903, as he is mentioned in a newspaper article from 1902 as training his younger brother Jack (who served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment between 1898 and 1903) for a boxing match whilst they were stationed on Malta. In 1903 both brothers are also mentioned in a newspaper article as having taking part in boxing matches on Bermuda, shortly after the Royal Warwickshire Regiment arrived there. Harry’s brother Jack left the army in 1903 to pursue a career as a boxer. Harry appears to have stayed in the army after his brother left it, being described in 1908 as having been the lightweight champion of India. It would seem reasonably likely therefore that he served with the army in India before returning to civilian life.

By 1907 Harry was back in England, living in the London. He married Mary Ann Elizabeth Wells on 29th September 1907, at the Catholic church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Joseph in Battersea. Harry and Mary went on to have a daughter called Margaret in 1908.

Harry is mentioned in several sporting newspaper articles between about 1908 and 1911 as being involved in boxing matches in the London area. His younger brother Jack had become quite a successful and famous boxer, and sometimes the reports of Harry’s fights mention that he was the brother of Jack Meekins. In January 1911 it was reported that the two brothers had both taken part in a boxing tournament in Portsmouth.

The 1911 census finds Harry and Mary living at 6 Haines Street in Battersea. Harry was working as a commissionaire. Shortly after the 1911 census, Harry and Mary had a daughter called Ivy. In 1914 they had a son called Henry, but he died as a baby.

Harry’s father died in Kent in 1917.

Electoral rolls show that Harry and Mary lived at 5 Stewarts Road in Battersea from at least 1918 onwards. Some of the electoral registers call her ‘May’ rather than Mary.

In July 1920, Harry re-joined the armed forces, spending a year serving in the Royal Army Service Corps. His previous service in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the Military Foot Police was noted.

In late 1932, Harry’s daughter Ivy died, aged 21. Shortly afterwards, early in 1933, Harry also died, aged 53. Mary survived him by about 33 years and remarried in 1934.

1. ↑ Births index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   b. Harry MEAKINS, September Quarter 1880, Lambeth Registration District, Volume 1d, page 337, mother's maiden name Sutford

2. ↑ Baptisms register, in Southwark, Surrey: Catholic Parish Registers of St George’s Cathedral, Southwark (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, London).

   Mackins / Die 22 Maii 1880 natus et die 6 Junii 1880 baptizatus est Henricus Mackins filius Henri et Margaritae Mackins (olim Ludford) conjugum:
   a me Felice Reynaert
   Patrinus fuit Samuel Holland Matrina fuit Sara Holland
   
   Approximate translation:
   Mackins / Born 22nd May 1880 and baptised 6th June 1880 Henry Mackins son of Henry and Margaret Mackins (formerly Ludford) his wife:
   by me Felix Reynaert
   Godfather Samuel Holland, Godmother Sarah Holland

3. ↑ England. 1881 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands: . (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG11; Piece 588; Folio 116; Page 16, 3 Apr 1881.

   Address: 25 Frances Street, Lambeth, Surrey
   Henry Meakins, head, married, male, 22 [1858/9], Hawker, b. Lambeth, Surrey
   Margaret Meakins, wife, married, female, 20 [1860/1], b. Lambeth
   Henry Meakins, son, male, 11mo [1880], b. Lambeth

4.   St Andrew’s School, Lambeth: Admission and Discharge Register for Lower Boys, in London School Admissions & Discharges, 1840-1911 (London Metropolitan Archives, London).

   Date of Admission: 13 Feb 1888
   Date of Birth: 6 May 1880
   Surname: Meakins
   Child: Henry
   Parent: Henry
   Residence: 1 Salutation Place

5. ↑ England. 1891 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG12; Piece 387; Folio 119; Page 45, 5 Apr 1891.

   Address: 1 Salutation Place, Lambeth, London
   2 rooms occupied
   James Lutford, brother, single, male, 28 [1862/3], Labourer, employed, b. Lambeth, London
   Charlotte Lutford, sister, single, female, 18 [1872/3], Book Folder, employed, b. Lambeth, London
   Samuel Lutford, brother, single, male, 16 [1874/5], Stoker in Printing, employed, b. Lambeth, London
   Alice Lutford, sister, single, female, 15 [1875/6], Book Folder, employed, b. Lambeth, London
   Susan Lutford, sister, female, 12 [1878/9], Scholar, b. Lambeth, London
   Henry Meekings, nephew, male, 12 [1878/9], Scholar, b. Lambeth, London

6. ↑ England. 1911 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom: The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.))
   Class RG14; Piece 2166; Schedule 55, 2 Apr 1911.

   Address: 6 Haines Street, Battersea, London
   2 rooms occupied
   Henry Meekins, head, male, 30 [1880/1], married 3 years, 1 child born to marriage, 1 child still living, Commissionaire, worker, b. Lambeth, London
   Mary Elizabeth Meekins, wife, female, 23 [1887/8], b. Battersea, London
   Margaret Meekins, daughter, female, 2 [1908/9], b. Battersea, London

7.   UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920
   Piece 2068; Royal Army Service Corps.

   Rank: Pte.
   Name: MEEKINS Harry
   Units and Corps previously served with: 1st Bn. Rl. Warwick Regt. / 7037 Act/Cpl / M.F.P. P/6076
   Re-enltd. R.A.S.C. 7-7-20 / Dis. 8-7-21 Para 392 (XXV)ER.

8.   London Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 (London Metropolitan Archives, London).

   1918, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road, Battersea Park Road, S.W.8
   Meekins, Henry a[bsent]
   Meekins, Mary Elizabeth
   
   1919, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road, Battersea Park Road, S.W.8
   Meekins, Henry a[bsent]
   Meekins, Mary Elizabeth
   
   1920, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, May Elizabeth
   Wells, Florence Maud
   Wells, James
   
   1921, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, May Elizabeth
   
   1925, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, May Elizabeth
   
   1926, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, May Elizabeth
   
   1927, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, May Elizabeth
   
   1930, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, Margaret (Miss)
   Meekins, Mary Elizabeth
   
   1932, Battersea
   5 Stewarts Road S.W.8
   Meekins, Henry
   Meekins, Ivy Mary (Miss)
   Meekins, Mary Elizabeth

9. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. Henry MEEKINS, March Quarter 1933, Battersea Registration District, Volume 1d, page 535, aged 53 [1879/80]

10.   Sporting Life (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 8, Wednesday 9 Apr 1902.

    BOXING AT MALTA.
    LIGHT-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
    MEEKINS BEAT DOWNS.
    On Tuesday evening, April 1, every seat in the Britannia Circus was filled when Mr. Munnings provided a good programme for the Army and Navy. The principal event was a twenty-round contest for the light-weight championship of the Mediterranean, between Downs, of the Royal Marines (the champion), and Bandsman J. Meekins, Royal Warwicks, for £10 a-side and £15 purse. Meekins was well trained by W. Hunt and Bill Hughes, of Birmingham, assisted by his Brother Harry and F. Smith. He is twenty-one years old, and stands 5ft. 6½ins., and, like his opponent, just scale 9st 12lb. Downs, who is noted for stopping opponents in short time was well looked after by A. Collison (feather-weight champion) and Fablo Cafe (middle-weight champion), his height being 5ft. 8in. As the principals left their seats the few inches advantage held by Down was easily visible. He added to this by standing very erect while Meekins stood wide, but his ruddy, healthy appearance was in his favour. At the opening each man waited for a lead. After a quick feint Meekins landed the right on the jaw, which sent Downs reeling to the floor, time just saving him. On meeting again Downs rushed in and met with a nasty jab on the nose. Hard hitting gave way to a severe slogging, Meekins always doing most execution, and going back to his corner with a little to spare. Round 3. – Downs caught the full swing of a right on the jaw, which sent him back to the ropes, but his pluck was of first quality. Meekins, who showed a lack of finishing power, had his opponent almost beaten, but was too anxious. Round 4. – Both almost fought to a standstill. Rounds 5 and 6 were the same, one going down and then the other. Round7. – Meekins now keeping away was using his left well and scoring fast, but Downs would follow, and Meekins took advantage of the ring. The fighting to the fourteenth round was of the same character. At the fifteenth meeting Meekins, with a straight left and a smart right on the side of the head, sent Downs clean over the ropes, both being fought to a standstill. Rounds 16 to 19 found Meekins still jabbing with his left into Downs’ mouth. Round 20 and last. – Downs punched Meekins right and left without getting home, Meekins still jabbing with his left. When “Time!” was called and the verdict was given to Meekins the house rose like one man and cheered until the roof fairly shook. The officials were two civilian gentlemen and Commandant A.O.S., Mr, Mannings being M.C. The programme also contained six-round contests, in which Turner beat Rowlins. Townsend beat Hearne, Daws beat Thomas, and Shepperd beat Mowat. A heavy-weight contest takes place on April 7.

11.   Coventry Evening Telegraph, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 3, Tuesday 13 Jan 1903.

    THE 3RD ROYAL WARWICKS IN BURMUDA.
    The 3rd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment have only been in Bermuda a little over a month, writes one of the Battalion, but they have soon started to liven things up in the way of sport. On Thursday evening, the 13th inst., there was arranged a night’s sport at the Bermuda Gymnasium, in which there were three contests set for decision… The next item was a six-round “go” between H. Meekins (3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment) and F. Beecham (H.M.S. Hotspur). This was a rattling affair. Although the naval man was much the heavier and started forcing the pace, he did not make much headway against his wiry opponent, whose stopping was beautiful. At the finish the judges could not part them, so an extra round was ordered, in which Meekins kept a good left going and got the verdict. The tit-bit of the evening came next, and last, between J. Meekins (3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment), ex-light-weight Champion of the Mediterranean, and T. Gilbert (H.M.S. Hotspur). This was an eight-round contest, and both boxed very well all through. The judges could not come to any decision, so an extra round was ordered, and J. Meekins got the verdict.

12.   Sporting Life (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 7, Wednesday 30 Dec 1908.

    JACK CALLAGHAN’S GREAT SPECIAL PROGRAMME
    MONDAY NEXT, JANUARY 4,1909.
    GREAT SPECIAL SIX ROUNDS CONTEST.
    WAG MARSHALL (Blackfriars) (Hero of 100 Stubborn Battles) v. HARRY MEEKINS (Walworth, Light-weight Champion of India)
    This contest is the outcome of their terrific battle here on Dec. 21. Both men agree to wear soft bandages and box with 4oz. gloves. In the ring at 10 o’clock sharp.

13.   Sporting Life (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 4, Tuesday 5 Jan 1909.

    GOOD SPORT AT WALWORTH.
    WAG MARSHALL BEAT HARRY MEEKINS.
    Although not quite so crowded as the week previous, there was a large attendance at the Manor-place Baths, Walworth-road, S.E., last evening, when Mr Jack Callaghan continued his weekly entertainments. A capital programme produced some excellent bouts, the outstanding feature being the meeting between Wag Marshall (Blackfriars) and Harry Meekins (Walworth), a brother of Jack Meekins. The pair, it will be remembered, met on the Monday preceding Christmas, when, after a fine battle, the result was a draw. On the present occasion another stubborn bout was witnessed, but Marshall’s extra wright enabled him to obtain the award.

14.   Sporting Life (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 8, Saturday 16 Jan 1909.

    BOXING ITEMS…
    MESSRS. CALLAGHAN AND DEW’S MAMMOTH BOXING TOURNAMENT, On THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1909…
    THE FOLLOWING SIX ROUNDS CONTESTS:-
    HARRY MEEKINS (Battersea) v. GEORGE PROCTOR (Lambeth)…

15.   Sporting Life (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 8, Wednesday 3 Feb 1909.

    GEORGE PROCTOR (LAMBETH) AND HARRY MEEKINS (BATTERSEA). – “Sporting Life” articles are signed by these men to box ten two-minute rounds for £10 a side and Mr Jack Callaghan’s purse of £20 (£15 to winner, £5 to loser), at the Manor-place Baths, Walworth, on Feb. 8. We hold the stakes.

16.   Boxing (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 10, Saturday 10 Dec 1910.

    The Preliminaries.
    It was a gloriously happy and anticipative crowd that packed every nook and cranny of the Ring’s arena when Harry Meekins (Battersea) and George Seeley (Meat Market) crawled through the ropes to open the bill. They were a well matched pair physically, but Seeley proved too much for the man from Burnsville. Harry dropped George in the opener, but the butcher, getting up, soon had Meekins groggy with some powerful straight lefts. Meekins never recovered from the gruelling he got in the 1st rd., and was frequently floored. But Meekins’ pluck was in him, and he strove valiantly to the end, to lose as bitterly fought a contest as has ever been seen.

17.   Boxing (London), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 15, Saturday 7 Jan 1911.

    PORTSMOUTH.
    The first tournament under the auspices of the Boxers’ Union was held at the Engineers’ Drill Hall on Sat. A fine array of fistic talent was presented to a very fair house… The chief attraction was the special 6rd. contest between Charlies Duncan (Meat Market) and Jack Meekins (Battersea). After a keenly-contested bout the referee declared a draw – a most popular decision… Harry Meekins (brother to Jack) bt Jim Nicholson (London) after a great 6rds…