Maitland will pay homage this week to Les Darcy, whose young life was cut tragically short 100 years ago at the peak of his boxing career.
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A number of events will be held across the city to commemorate Darcy’s death, including the unveiling of a plaque, a public ceremony to celebrate Darcy’s life, centenary exhibitions and the re-dedication of a memorial plaque.
Maitland City Council and local service groups have organised a number of events to celebrate the life of Les Darcy.
Maitland Lions Club will re-dedicate and unveil a memorial plaque at midday, Wednesday, the anniversary of his death. This will take place at O’Neill’s Tyres, in Melbourne Street, East Maitland.
The club erected the plaque many years ago and has refurbished it ready for the formal ceremony.
This year also marks the 100th year for Lions clubs internationally which Maitland Lions Club president Paul Burnham thought was a great connection.
At 12.30 a public ceremony will be held at the Les Darcy monument in East Maitland Park to celebrate Darcy’s life with guest speaker Mark Hughes and MC Scott Bevan.
From 1.30pm at East Maitland Bowling Club footage of Darcy’s fights will be played with the opportunity to also view Darcy memorabilia.
Local Catholic schools will hold a celebration carnival at St John the Baptist School, Maitland.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery has opened its Les Darcy exhibition which will run until June 18.
Maitland City Library will hold “Remembering Les Darcy” starting Tuesday. This will include a slideshow of old photos from Darcy’s funeral displayed on a projector in the library and a new “Walls that Talk” display on the outside of the building.
Les Darcy, considered by many to be Maitland’s favourite Son, was one of the best middleweight fighters in the world and his career record finished at 50 fights, with 46 wins and just four losses to his name.
Tragically, Darcy’s story came to an end much too early, when he died aged 22 of pneumonia after contracting a blood infection in Memphis, Tennessee.
Born at ‘Stradbroke’ near Woodville, Darcy came from humble beginnings and after leaving school at 12 to be a carter, he took up an apprenticeship as a blacksmith in East Maitland at 15.
He soon fell in love with the sport of boxing and would go on to carve out an incredible, though short, career in the sport.
Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore said Darcy lived a short but very special life.
“He was a champion boxer, but he was also so much more than that because he had a real affect on almost everyone he met and he conducted himself in such a mature and respectable way,” Cr Blackmore said.
“I think that’s why we’re still celebrating his life 100 years on. His legend lives on through all the great stories we hear about not only his boxing feats, but also his character, charm, incredible work ethic and his ability to inspire a nation,” he said.
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