The Pride of Chelmsford
Our memories are of Bob Archer O’Brien as a well respected and popular referee. Well, that and television commentator Kent Walton waxing lyrically about what a great wrestler he had been; and we have no reason to doubt Kent. Of course, there was much more to the history of this wrestling great than being a popular referee. Bob Archer O’Brien was one of a handful of post war professionals who appeared on television way back in the pioneer days of both tv and our sport. On 6th January, 1947, Bob appeared on BBC television in an exhibition wrestling match against the Cambridge wrestler Charlie Law, who was to gain fame as a professional known as College Boy.
Robert Archer was born in Chelmsford on 12th November, 1917. We found twenty year old Robert Archer wrestling at his local Corn Exchange in July, 1938, a supporting match to a female contest between Connie Landi and Peggy Parnell. A far cry from his twilight years refereeing in Dale Martin halls. The Chelmsford Chronicle reported that Bob had been trained by amateur wrestling champion J. Craig. We found more pre war matches at Chelmsford, against Ginger Morsley in December, 1938 and Eddie Humphreys in March, 1939.
Following the war he established himself as one of the country’s top welterweights. He was on the bill at his local Chelmsford Corn Exchange (against Vic Coleman) “Easily the best fight of the evening…” when wrestling returned to the hall on 1st July, 1947, and was a regular favourite for years to come.
For twenty years Bob was one of the most highly rated welterweights, around Britain and on the Continent. Maybe it was a lack of colour, his modest disposition or lack of good fortune but although his skill placed him alongside the likes of Dempsey, Kidd and Capelli, and way beyond certain other welterweight superstars , Bob didn’t receive the full acclaim that he deserved from the promoters. That’s not to say the fans didn’t respect him, they did so hugely, and always enjoyed seeing his name on the bill even though his drawing power didn’t match some of his contemporaries.
Bob was able to hold his own, and usually defeat, most of the wrestlers of his day. He was a popular hero of the day, with a smile that would quickly evaporate from his rugged facial features. A modest, unassuming man Bob Archer O’Brien must be included in any list of post war greats. Following a wrestling career that spanned three decades he went on to become a popular referee in the days when a referee really could make or break a contest.
Thirty years after turning professional Bob disappeared from our rings in the summer of 1968, though was tempted back for occasional ring action in 1971 by independent promoters.
The Chelmsford star also bestowed two other fine wrestlers on UK audiences, his sons Bob and Chris Anthony. Bob Archer O’Brien died on 1st November, 1975.
Page added: 28/06/2019
Page reviewed: 06/02/2022
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