ONE of the best-known names in Westcountry boxing circles, Garry Cooper, has died after a short illness aged 91.

Garry, a Falmothian, died on Wednesday morning.

It was during the golden era of Cornish boxing in the 1930s that Garry made his name along with a number of other top boxers in the county.

In the austere days of the 1930s boxers had to climb their way up the pecking order, but it was during this time that Garry, who had over 100 fights, won the first of his three South Western Area featherweight boxing titles.

Garry's early training centred around the Falmouth Drill Hall under Phil Millington (ex flyweight champion of the RAF). Phil was a very good coach and fought Bob Lewis, a boxer after whom the championship belt that Garry won on three occasions, was named.

Garry relived some of those great days in an interview in the Packet in the mid-90s. It was something he wanted to do so that those great times would not be forgotten when the boxers from that era were no longer around to talk about those days.

"I trained at the New Sreet Boxing Hall under Harold Thomas," said Garry "but when a club opened in Barracks Ope in High Street, Falmouth, I trained there with George Swaddling, Peter Bond, Sammy McKechnie, Joe Landeryou and a good middleweight called Jarvis. He would have made a name for himself, but the war came along. Jarvis defeated Harold Conbeer over 10 rounds at St Austell in 1934.

"Penzance produced some real good boxers and some hard punchers - I know, I fought some of them in the Drill Hall, Falmouth, St John's Hall, Penzance, and also at the Temperance Hall, Penryn.

"The boys I met were Garfield Searle, Teddy Wyndall, Jimmy Chinn, Sid Hallet (Len Harvey was his nickname), Tommy Burns and several others."

Garry also boxed in Millbay Rockeries where he fought 'Gypsy' Daniels over 10 rounds, Jack Ellis, 10 rounds, Walter Edgecombe, 10 rounds, and Stocker Harry Reynolds, champion of Combined Fleets RN, over 10 rounds.

"I boxed once at the Colston Hall, Bristol venue," added Garry "against Ron Redwood who ko'd me in the eighth round. Later on I fought Ron again at the Falmouth Drill Hall, but won that one on points."

Being a featherweight, Garry had to live and box on his wits during his long career

"I was renowned for having an educated left hand which kept me from a lot of punishment.

"I met some lovely people during my time in the ring. Boxers become great friends! I am grateful for having been in the ring over 100 times, suffered no brain damage, no cauliflower ears or pug nose. I have been very lucky in that respect.

"The events took place many years ago and recollections can sometimes be a little misty, but I think those who will remember the fight nights at the Drill Hall and at Penryn, will be the sons who went with their dads to the above venues to watch the boxing."

Garry is survived by his wife, Edna, and three daughters, Trish Beswarick-Asser, Joy Morel, and Sandy Beswarick.

His funeral is expected to take place at Penmount Crematorium on Tuesday, January 13. No firm details were available at the time of going to press, therefore anyone requiring further information should ring Pendennis Residential Home on 01326 313529.