Joseph Reid

Background

He was born in Leigh, Lancashire, and was trained by fellow Leigh native, Harry Pennington.

Career

Wrestling In 1932 he competed in the freestyle bantamweight tournament of the Olympic Games. Reid was eliminated after losing two of his three matches in the freestyle bantamweight division and finished fifth over all. Shortly afterwards, he turned professional and continued wrestling well into the 1960s.

Reid fought in the Second World War, and spent time as a prisoner of war in a Japanese-run internment camp.

He helped to train Scottish wrestler George Kidd. Reid"s wrestling boots are now on display at the Leigh Harriers athletic club

Achievements

• At the 1930 Empire Games he won the silver medal in the bantamweight class. Four years later he won the bronze medal in the bantamweight category at the 1934 Empire Games. Reid won the British bantamweight championship every year from 1931 to 1935.