Attention Terry Murphy re Kleins Gym

[Mick H]

Hi Terry, came across this site while researching  my wifes GGrandfather, William Hugo Klein and found  that you mentioned his name on a topic regarding a boxer Fred Jackson, the name of Klein was also spelt Kline or Klien, I am trying to put together details of his past life and hope that either yourself or some one on this site may be able to help fill in some gaps, the following is my findings to date.
William Hugo Klein born 1866 Bocham Prussia, died 1957 Kensington, came to England sometime before 1911 and was by profession a Music Hall Artist, (Strongman Wrestler) he also worked the Circus circuit,also worked for the Famous Monte Saldo, Stongman at the Appollo -Saldo club in Great Newport Street as a trainer and masseur, we know he owned a gym in Fitzroy Square called Kleins, this was changed in name to the Olympic , we think this name came about becase he was involved with either the british Olympic Boxing or Wrestling team, at which year this was I have no Idea, my wife can remember as a child being at the gym and seeing all the jock straps hanging up in front of the fireplace, the gym was located in the basement.not sure what other names he went by but boy he had a colourful life. William was still at the gym in 1957 aged 90.
Be pleased if anyone can recall any events.

Thanks

Mick H

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Mick,yes i remember your GGrandfather very well,although there is little i can tell you.I would have started training there in 1953 when i turned professional,and Mr Klein would be sitting on the right hand side of the Gym as we entered, he would just nod greeting us ,and probably noting our names down,to make sure we paid our training fee Ha Ha.this was of course our Managers job,It surprises me when you mention his age He would have been 86 year old.when i started training there,a couple of years later my Manager Ted Walker bought the gym from him and named it Olympic gym.We new Mr Klein had been famous,and there was always well know faces in and out,but being young 19 did not take much notice.remember also the Warren st Was next to it,and this was a famous
CAR sales market,Some years ago 15 or so i went to Gt Portland st hospital and on leaving passed the old Gym it was down a flight of stairs in the basement,i went down and it was snack bar the memories were great.
If i had my training gear i would have had a work out,HA HA
I have some picture taken down there while i was training,Regards Terry M

[Mick H]

First of all Terry, many thanks for taking time out to answer my post, I had no idea who you were at the time but I do now, so thanks again.
The information that you provided about Bill Klein was very useful particularly that it was your Manager Ted Walker that purchased the Gym, I have since found out that it was the 1912  Stockholm Olympic games that he was trainer to the GB Wrestling team, there was only three competitors for GB and they all went out early,the semi final bout took 11hours and 40 mins,  needless to say they changed the rules after, these were the games that Jim Thorpe the American Indian won all his medals,also there was no Boxers, Boxing was not allowed by Sweden at the time.
Thanks again Terry and I will visit the site again from time to time, you never know some one else may remember something.

Regards

Mick H

[TerryMurphy]

Mick i have just read ,in the London ex boxers magazine,a article about the sad loss of our good friend Reg Gutteridge,that  Your  relation was a Professor Klien,you kept that a secret,T,M

[Mick H]

Terry,I had read about Reg passing away recently but was unaware of any connection to Bill Klein, you say that I kept quiet about Bill Klein being known as the Professor, I must admit that one of the relatives thought that he may have been known by this name, I also have been told that Joe Lewis visited the Gym and that Jack Solomons was a friend and also attended his funeral, there was also a story that whilst he was on his deathbed in the nearby Nuns Hospital that a strange woman from somewhere up north removed all his personal papers together with photographs from the Gym,  I have no hard proof to these statements as they are only hearesay, however I would be interested to know what was in the article regarding Reg Gutteridge about Bill(Professor) or can you point me in the right direction as to where the info is obtainable.

Many thanks Terry

Mick H
PS, Terry, Just some info on myself,in case you are wondering whos on the end of this keyboard, I am 74 yrs old and was born in Southall Middx,(bring back memories,) moved to Berkshire appx 1960 and on retirement moved to Christchurch in Dorset, still have the good lady with me after 52 yrs,My Mum still lived in Ealing until she died in 2006 so I saw all the changes taking place and still visit friends in the area.

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Mick,good to here from you.The article was in a Tribute 6 page booklet .in this months March number 435. London ex boxer association magazine,written by the secretary Mary Powell,.
this was before Mary Married her deceased husband  Jack Power,she would later become the Mayoress of Islington,the article states.
It was Reg Gutteridge,who first introduced me into the Boxing fraternity,as i used to accompany him to Professor Klein's Gym in Fitzroy Sq.we lost touch,and met up again at Jack Solomons Gym, after i married Jack,.
If you would like to talk to Mary Tel /fax02072269032.or Write Mary Powell
office 36 St Peters St.London N1 8JT,e.mail marypowell@btconnect.com.
she is a wonderful women who must be in he 80s.she will be able to tell you many stories on the Fitzroy Gym, Regards Terry M

[Daisy]

My sister and I came across your site whilst researching our grandfather, William Hugo Klein.  Our father, Max Klein, was his son (born 1910) was a relatively successful racing driver who, unfortunately, died following an accident at Brands Hatch while racing in 1955.  I would like to know details of your wife's connection to our grandfather.  I remember going to the gym in Fitzroy Square with my father every Sunday morning.  My grandfather had two large dogs at the gym.  Family history says that William's wife (Annie Maria) died in a mental institution together with one of the sons but we have no real information about this.  We also recall being told that Grandad Klein (as we knew him) was a trapeze artist and came to England with a troupe, fell on a table and was injured  while practicing his high wire act and never returned to Bochum.  We also recall being told that he once walked across the top struts of London Bridge but, again, we have no real proof.
 
My family (mother and three daughters) lost touch with most of my father's relatives after my father's death and we would like to trace our relations and perhaps find out more aobut the family.  We remembmer that Dad had several brothers, including Ernst (Ernie), who had a daughter called Christine (we think) and who often did hill climbs (the bike sort) with Dad.  We think he lived near Brixton.

If you have any information, we would like to hear from you.

Many thanks, Daisy

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Daisy,good to hear from you,the post above yours is my reply to a Mick H who is a relation of the Kliens,i gave him details of Mary Powell the president of the London Ex Boxers
L.E.B.A.Mary is lovely she must be 80 now but she is bright as a button,and would enjoy a chat abouT Kliens gym,The only other advice I can give is google Genes reunited,of your family name and follow what comes up,good luck,i must say i remember the 2 big dogs at the gym,when they got out of his office they use to frighten us. ha ha Regards Terry M

[TerryMurphy]

A wonderfull birthday for me yesterday, with all the Family,wined and dined,but never got drunk,a sober Day [WELL NEARLY}I am old now but not aged ,i think.Terry M

[TerryMurphy]

Well i must,thank all the kind people who wished me happy Birthday,i really did not expect any,the  hundreds who block the forum,and could not make contact,i am sorry,
But 2 got through so thank you   Barry ,And Adrian? Terry M

[Mick H]

Hi Daisy my wife Janet is the daughter of William Frederick Klein who was your fathers brother Max, get in touch with me by e-mail as we also have other contacts from another Brother,

mjh8flm@btinternet.com

Thanks Terry,if you see on another item of this thread I said that I hoped someone may respond and they have,
Thanks again
Mick H



quote author=Daisy link=topic=269.msg2251#msg2251 date=1249858102]

My sister and I came across your site whilst researching our grandfather, William Hugo Klein.  Our father, Max Klein, was his son (born 1910) was a relatively successful racing driver who, unfortunately, died following an accident at Brands Hatch while racing in 1955.  I would like to know details of your wife's connection to our grandfather.  I remember going to the gym in Fitzroy Square with my father every Sunday morning.  My grandfather had two large dogs at the gym.  Family history says that William's wife (Annie Maria) died in a mental institution together with one of the sons but we have no real information about this.  We also recall being told that Grandad Klein (as we knew him) was a trapeze artist and came to England with a troupe, fell on a table and was injured  while practicing his high wire act and never returned to Bochum.  We also recall being told that he once walked across the top struts of London Bridge but, again, we have no real proof.
 
My family (mother and three daughters) lost touch with most of my father's relatives after my father's death and we would like to trace our relations and perhaps find out more aobut the family.  We remembmer that Dad had several brothers, including Ernst (Ernie), who had a daughter called Christine (we think) and who often did hill climbs (the bike sort) with Dad.  We think he lived near Brixton.

If you have any information, we would like to hear from you.

Many thanks, Daisy
[/quote]

[TerryMurphy]

 Hi Mick,here is a picture of me taken at your G.G Fathers, Kliens Gym Fitzroy Square.in 1955/6,

[TerryMurphy]

hi mick,one of my grand kids tried to improve the picture that why the roof has black blobs on it,

[TerryMurphy]

We have a unwellcome  person called    archiebuc  posting un prescribe drugs ,please do not make contact or read his posts ,we do not want this type of,person on our Forum,the administrater cannot remove him untill to morrow Please do not encourage them T.M