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Billy "Bombardier" Wells 1889 - 1967

Billy Wells of Ealing, Greater London County, England United Kingdom was born on August 31, 1889 in Stepney to William Thomas Wells and Emily Rhoda (Farrier) Wells. He had siblings Alfred Valentine Wells and Rhoda Maud (Wells) Sawkins. Billy Wells died at age 77 years old on June 11, 1967 in Ealing, and was buried at St. Mary's Parish Church in Hanwell, West London County Great Britain.

Billy Wells

Bombardier Billy Wells

Ealing, Greater London County, England United Kingdom

August 31, 1889

Stepney, Greater London County, England, United Kingdom

June 11, 1967

Ealing, Greater London County, England, United Kingdom

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Billy "Bombardier" Wells Billy Wells (1889 - 1967)

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Billy Wells' History: 1889 - 1967

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Introduction

William Thomas Wells was born to William Thomas Wells and Emily Rhoda Farrier. His father was a musician and his mother was a laundress. William was one of nine children, the eldest of his five brothers. Better known as "Bombardier" Billy Wells, William began amateur boxing sometime in the early 1900s. In 1906, he joined the Royal Artillery and boxed in championships for his unit, boxing in divisional and all-India championships. He had great success and began training full-time as a boxer, leading to his buying himself out of the army. He returned to Great Britain and began his professional career in 1910. Billy's boxing record consisted of 48 wins - 30 were knockouts - and 11 defeats - 10 were knockouts. He was the first heavyweight to win the Lonsdale Belt, introduced in 1909. The original belt was made of 22 carat gold, unlike later versions. William Wells married Ellen Kilroy on September 7, 1912 and they had four children: Ellaline, William, Audrey, and Cynthia Wells. William and Ellen eventually parted ways.
08/31

1889

Birthday

August 31, 1889

Birthdate

Stepney, Greater London County, England United Kingdom

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Billy was Caucasian, born of British parents.
Nationality & Locations

Born in the East End of London, he was raised there as well. Living his adult life in London, he died in Ealing, London, England.
Early Life & Education

He attended Broad Street elementary school, Queensbury until he was twelve years old. He left school to become a messenger boy and begin his career as an amateur boxer.
Military Service

He joined the Royal Artillery as a gunner and was posted to Rawalpindi, Punjab. After his boxing successes in the military, he was promoted to a bombardier and given a civilian boxing coach. He then bought himself out of the army and returned to Britain.
Professional Career

Billy was an English heavyweight boxer and was British and British Empire Champion from 1911 - 1919. He was the first heavyweight to win the Lonsdale Belt, introduced in 1909. The original belt was made of 22 carat gold. He also wrote two books: his 1911 book titled "Modern Boxing: a Practical Guide to Present Day Methods and his 1923 book titled Physical energy: Showing how physical and mental energy may be developed by means of the practice of boxing. Billy's boxing record consisted of 48 wins (30 were knockouts) and 11 defeats (10 were knockouts).
Personal Life & Family

Billy was married once and had four children. His success in the boxing world in the early 20th century may be due to his physique: He was 6 ft. 3 in. tall and weighed between 182 and 192 pounds.
06/11

1967

Death

June 11, 1967

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Ealing, Greater London County, England United Kingdom
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
St. Mary's Parish Church in Hanwell, West London County Great Britain
Burial location
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