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The Golden Ace remembered by most readers is Wigan’s John Naylor, a splendid wrestler and one of the country’s finest in the 1970s and 1980s. But we all know that little in life is new, and the name Golden Ace certainly wasn’t an original. We were reminded of this by Heritage member Peter. He told us of an article he had read, written by another Heritage member, John Lister, in the Fighting Spirit magazine. John reported an incident in Harrogate when John Naylor was approached by a man claiming to be the original Golden Ace.
This got Ron Historyo into gear, and he discovered that this original Golden Ace was Laurence Arthur Chappell, with a date of birth registered as 27th October, 1898. He was the son of John Richard Chappell, a councillor in Leeds and owner of a sizeable painting and decorating firm. Eventually Laurence took over the family business.
Prior to wrestling Laurence was a physical culturalist and winner of many championships, including the Curl record for the British Amateur Weight Lifting Association.
Golden Ace Laurence Chappell was no fly-by-night novelty of the ring. He was a first rate matman who for a decade graced the ring with the likes of Man Mountain Benny, Bert Assirati, Jack Pye, Francis Gregory and Whipper Watson. Noted for skill and strength he was cited to be the strongest man in wrestling. Strong, skill and apparently not without colour as one report in wartime Britain claimed there was no sign of the clothing coupon shortage when he came into the ring, going on to regret that the wrestling was not as attractive as his outfit.
We first came across Golden Ace in a contest at Leith, reported in the Motherwell Times of the 29th May, 1936. It was reported that Golden Ace “Had a refined Eastern face and seemed very much out of place in this game.” The eastern look came from Leeds and, out of place or not, the Golden Ace defeated Strip Tracey by two falls to nil. By 1938 he is described as “One of the best developed men in the ring,” Notable scalps included Francis Cregory, Rex Gable, Carl Van Wurden, Vic Hessle and Charlie Green; indications that here was a man of some distinction.
Golden Ace Laurence Chappell disappeared from our wrestling radar in March 1948 afterd defeating Red Brokau. We did come across him three years later, when he, Ted Beresford and Bert Collins were mourners at Douglas Clark’s funeral. We are pleased to grant him his place in wrestling history that he felt he was being denied the night he confronted John Naylor.
Golden Ace Laurence Chappell died on 13th November, 1986.
Page added 12/11/2023
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