My Grandfather joined the Navy at the age of 16. He sailed to Mexico, South America and The West Indies. He set up a Physical Culture training club on ship during his career as as a sailor. One ship my father remembers him talking about was HMS Warspite. He is the one doing the handstand at the top of the human pyramid.

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This picture was published on Jan 5th 1909

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He lived with his two sisters, Nina & Klara at 21 Bellefields Road, Brixton. His father, Jacob Carel , was a violinist who had come to London from Holland and played with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. He went off to South America, never to return. His mother, Louie Blair, grew up in Durham as a housemaid and after getting married and moving to Brixton took in theatrical lodgers as a way of bringing in money.

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From around 1911 David Blazer started making a name for himself in Weightlifting. In 1911 he was one of Edward Aston's seconds during the competition between Aston and Thomas Inch. During this period he won the title of 'Britain's Best Developed Man' in a competition that was sponsored by Monte Saldo.

In 1912/13 he won four British Weight Lifting records which were witnessed by Aston & Inch.

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David Blazer's naval career ended around 1916. On leaving the navy he joined the London Salvage Corps.

It is probable that this was the period when he spent a fair amount of time at The South London Physical Culture Club and The Camberwell Club in the company of Monte Saldo, Edward Aston & Thomas Inch. My father recalls him telling of his wrestling bouts as well.

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He also went on stage. He appeared in two acts. These were The Cornelius Brothers, which was a strong man act and Bright & Bright, Versatile Entertainers, which was a lighter entertainment act.

The Brixton Empire was just at the top of Bellefields road and he supported main acts like Will Hay.

Apart from his feats of strength he also played the Mandolin & Concertina.

 

 

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The picture alongside, with him wearing the leotard, was when he was reputedly given the title 'Mr. Briton', although I have never actually found any evidence of this.

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In 1920 he married Amy Goodwin Percival and they set up home in Gilbert Street, Lambeth. They had three children; Dorothy Louise, Beryl Murdock and Carlo David (my father).

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Unfortunately I never met either my Grandfather or Grandmother.

My Grandmother died of TB in 1935.

My Grandfather was involved in an accident on the London Underground and died, tragically, at the age of 54.

The youngest sister, Beryl, and my father were then taken into a Navy Orphanage School.

My father has many happy memories tough of riding on his father's shoulders and being thrown up in the air.

Roger Blazer

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