THANKS to David Ace for visiting the Echo offices to show us this fantastic photo taken in 1946 showing boxer Freddy Mills at the Sidney Hall in Weymouth.

David said: “I remember Freddy Mills, the British and Empire Light Heavyweight Champion coming down to the Sidney Hall to present the prizes in a boxing tournament between Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport Boxing Clubs in May 1946.

“He broke training in London from his world title fight with the Russian American Gus Lesnevich. The referee stopped the fight in the 10th round in Lesnevich’s favour.

“Freddy avenged the savage beating he had taken in 1946 to win the World Light Heavyweight title back from Gus Lesnevich in July 1948.”

David said Freddie presented the prizes for the first half of the show but had to get the train back to London.

He added: “Some of us jogged back to the station with him, we had to stop on the way to get him fish and chips.

“Weymouth Boxing Club was in Barrack Road behind the Military Arms pub, the junior lads’ trainers were Spud Murphy and Mr Mason from the Southern Times newspaper.

“I was the youngster of the team at 12 years old and always on the bill.”

Mills was crowned light-heavyweight champion of the world in 1948 and was a darling of the media and a hero to millions. He committed suicide in July 1965.

He was found dead in the back seat of his car and had been shot once in the head; a rifle rested between his knees.

It later emerged that, in the days before his death, Mills had asked several prominent figures in London's gangland whether they could provide him with a pistol, seemingly aware that his life was in danger.

He wasn’t able to get a proper gun and ended up acquiring a gun from a friend who ran a rifle range at Battersea fun fair.

It is believed that the boxer took his own life through a combination of his own depression and fears that he was about to be killed by the Kray twins.

Author James Morton, who wrote Fighters about Mills’ life, said: “The Krays didn't actually kill him, but the threat that they were about to move against him was enough to push him over the edge.

“He was having problems at home with his relationship with his wife and he was suffering from the most dreadful and persistent headaches as a result of too many punches to the head.

“There is some evidence that he was also developing speech difficulties, which had put an end to his broadcasting career. He had been suffering with dizzy spells and bouts of depression for some time, but by then it had got much worse.”

n Derek Pride, 73, Dorchester, got in touch with Looking Back to tell us how much he used to enjoy seeing musical acts perform at the Sidney Hall.

He said: “Both the Brookes Brothers and Downlands Brothers performed at the Sidney Hall.

“I remember very clearly the Brookes Brothers record War Paint, which was a big hit at the time.”

Their music was featured in a show called Dreamboats and Petticoats, Derek said.

Among the other acts Derek remembers at the Sidney Hall are Ricky Fever and ‘Mad Dave’ Da Costa, who specialised in Jerry Lee Lewis songs and played the piano.

He said: “I also remember Screaming Lord Such and the Savages and a group called The Undertakers who used to sing from a coffin.

“The rock ‘n’ roll classics were very popular and no alcohol was available, it was just soft drinks served.”

Derek said he loved seeing musical acts at the Sidney Hall in the early 60s.

He said: “I would drive a car down to Weymouth.

“They had some good groups down in Weymouth over the years, I remember it being very busy at the Alexandra Gardens and the Pavilion had just started up.

“I remember seeing Victor Sylvester and his dance band and Brian Poole and the Tremelos.”

But there was one big name, who recently passed away, who Derek remembers very well.

Alvin Stardust, who died on October 23, appeared in Weymouth Carnival.

But he appeared in Weymouth many years previously in a former guise as Shane Fenton.

Derek said: “Alvin Stardust came to Weymouth [when] he was known as Shane Fenton and I think he performed at the Hotel Burden on the seafront where the old pier used to be.

“I believe at the time he had a number one record with Moody Guy.

“I remember the lyrics 5ft 2, Eyes of Blue.”

Vivien Wade of Weymouth remembers going to ‘old time dancing’ at the small Sidney Hall, followed by refreshments, sandwiches and tea.

Peter Hutchings, aged 94, got in touch to point out that the Sidney Hall was built by Mr Groves in memory of his son Sidney, who was killed in the war.

He said: “They used to hold the police and firemen’s ball there. It was a long time ago.”

n DO you remember Freddy Mills boxing at the Sidney Hall, any of the musical acts Derek Pride mentioned and Alvin Stardust performing in Weymouth as Shane Fenton? If so get in touch with Looking Back on 01305 830793 or by emailing joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk