Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections.
The 1930s heavyweight, recorded as 15 stones and standing a shade over six feet tall, had a very good record against top men. We came across him for the first time in 1934 when he defeated Phil Siki, a win which suggests he was a wrestler of note. Reports state that he was a skilled and orthodox wrestler who stuck within the rules, something of a rarity it seems in the 1930s. Other victories included Black Butcher Johnson, King Curtis, George Gregory and Dan Davey. The real powerhouses, such as Douglas Clarke, did prove too strong for Cliff, but reports state that he always gave a good account of himself. It was a short lived career with Cliff last seen in 1939 prior to serving his country in World War 2.
Cliff Attenborough was born Clifford George Attenbarrow on 2nd February, 1901 in Aston, Birmingham. Mostly billed from Birmingham by 1939 we find him living in Southwark, London, with his wife Lilian, occupation stated as wrestler and Physical Training Instructor. Prior to wrestling he served in the Army, in the Guards Regiment, and was sometimes billed Ex Guardsman Attenborough.
Apart from the wrestling skill he was also noted for his exceptional strength. He held the record for the “One hand dead lift” at Pullum’s Weightlifting Club, could perform a one handed handstand and was reputed to be the strongest man in the British army.
Afterwards he attended Morley College Westminster, as a sculpture student in wood, stone and clay. In 1946 he joined the staff of the college as a physical training instructor. He died on 26th January 1977.
Page added 15/01/2024
Wrestling Heritage 