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The image often created of British wrestling in the 1930s is that of a lawless, anything goes brutal business full of blood, sweat and disreputable men. Our Years of Wrestling series provides a more accurate and balanced portrayal of wrestling in the decade prior to World War 2. The business certainly had its faults but there were many skilled respected wrestlers who avoided the more barbaric aspects of the game. One of them was Chelmsford’s Clem Lawrence. Born Peter Wade he was the brother of Essex and England cricketer Tom Wade.
Clem was a bit on the light side at 14 stones to get in the ring with some of the bigger heavyweights, but his technical ability made him more than a match for most, including Bulldog Bill Garnon, Anaconda and Jack Pye.
Clem’s muscular physique gave him the name “The Adonis of the Ring.” As the newly introduced All-In rules began to gain popularity Clem turned professional in 1932 and for the rest of the decade was one of the busiest of wrestlers, working most nights of the week mainly in the south but travelling north on occasions.
The Daily Worker of the 7th February, 1936, reported “The surprise result of the evening’s bouts was the defeat of Sam Rabin by Clem Lawrence, of Chelmsford, with two submission falls.”
Defeat of the great Sam Rabin? This boy was good. He was very good in fact. But there were worse days at the office, as reported by the Daily Express, “Top liner was between Legs Langevin and Clem Lawrence….. After Lawrence had scored the first fall, Langevin brought those legs into play with a body scissors that made Lawrence helpless. In round 3 Legs quickly settled to work and had those legs around Lawrence again, who submitted.”
In 1939 when the fledgling BBC were broadcasting exhibitions of wrestling Clem Lawrence was called upon to exhibit the sport alongside Dave Armstrong. The outbreak of war brought a halt to tv wrestling, tv and Clem’s career. He was conscripted into the army where he rose to the rank of major and fought in the El Alamein campaign.
Clem returned to the ring following the war, now travelling northwards far more frequently. Clem Lawrence took part in the 1947 World Heavyweight Championship Tournament at Harringay Stadium, promoted by Atholl Oakeley, going out in the first round when he lost by the odd fall against Carl Reginsky.
Clem failed in his British heavyweight championship challenges against Bert Assirati in September, 1947, and again in November, 1949, but losses to the Islington Hercules should not lessen his reputation. Clem reduced his wrestling commitments in 1953 and finally retired in 1957.
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