Career
Born in London, Hurley began a boxing career during which he wrote a short song entitled "The Strongest Manitoba In The World" which he would perform after his fights. Singing appealed to him and he began performing the song in various music halls in London. He based his act on life as a costermonger and became known to his audiences as a "coster" singer, similar to that of Gus Elen and Albert Chevalier.
Hurley supported many popular acts, including Marie Lloyd, with whom he conducted a tour with in Australia.
Hurley continued to professionally support Lloyd in all of her performances until the marriage broke up a few years later. He had some minor success as a solo performer but work dried up and engagements became scarce.
Hurley never recovered from his marital difficulties and stopped performing altogether by 1910. Hurley was born in Hackney, London, and was one of two sons to an Irish Sea captain.
His new fitness capabilities allowed him to take up boxing.
He wrote the song "The Strongest Manitoba In The World" during his time as a boxer, which he would regularly perform after fights. Singing interested Hurley and he began to perform the song on the music hall circuit. He found his niche as a coster singer and was likened to Albert Chevalier.
Hurley was declared bankrupt in 1911 owing to his "lavish gifts for friends and gambling habits".
He died within a week of being diagnosed with pneumonia at Jack Straw"s Castle, Hampstead, on 6 December 1913, aged 42. He was buried in Tower Hamlets Cemetery in east London.