George Bazley

George Bazley was born 16/12/1901). He spent his entire Life working for English China Clays. He was the middle son of 5 brothers, William (Will), Thomas (Tommy) who emigrated to the USA; George ( Grandad); Henry (Eddie) who emigrated to New Zealand); John (Jack) who emigrated to the USA. He married Constance Valerie Trudgeon (b 4.3.1908). They lived in St. Dennis in mid Cornwall. This was a Clay mining area and was promoted to Captain of the Clay works (foreman) quite late in life.

He was a Cornish wrestling champion and fought at the Royal Albert Hall against Japanese Wrestler and Martial Artist Yukio Tani. Family lore is that Granddad made some money and then Grandma stopped him fighting immediately. He stayed in contact with Tommy and Jack but not Eddie I think. His eldest brother Will, stayed in St Dennis also.

My Grandfather was not a tall Man but he was strong as an Ox. Sort and stocky if he were a Dog he would be a Pitbull not a Great Dane. My Father Raymond James Bazley was obviously very proud of his Dad and his Wrestling pedigree. I believe he went to all the tournaments. Dad would would watch the Wrestling every Saturday afternoon the hey day for TV Wrestling in the UK. Nothing like Cornish Wrestling with fake acting of course but it was wrestling and it gave him that link to the past.

George was not an intellectual, he was a hard working man. Not a drinker like some of his work colleagues. He was a Methodist but not a strict one. It was Grandma that went to the local Church every week and played the organ.

Back then Men didn't show emotion (even though they felt it). On his Death Bed he asked my Dad to move away whilst he talked to my Mum. "We always loved you Mildred" he said, too embarrassed to show emotion even on his Death Bed.

Grandad was the strong silent type. He was a fighter but not a bully. Some would say not remarkable but to me he was, he fought Yukio Tani at the Royal Albert Hall and fought with honour. This story will now be told in the Feature length film "George and the Dragon".