By Elliott West
Introduction
I would describe Joe Davis as the architect of snooker, moulding the creation and spirit of Sir Neville Chamberlain that has shaped the modern game that we all enjoy today. This player who dominated snooker from the 1920s to the 1950s, retiring as a professional in 1964, won the first 15 championships from 1927 to 1946 but who was this man behind the mask of a champion?
A rare find recently by Mark Watterson on a market stall in Chesterfield gives us a glimpse into the private life of Joe Davis. Ironically Chesterfield was where Davis won a championship and owned a snooker club. Hidden away in a banana box stored in the stall holder, Ray’s garage for many years, lay a plastic sleeve treasure trove of family photographs, letters, magazine covers and theatre programmes belonging to June Malo, Joe’s wife.
Behind the Veil of Fame
This previously unseen collection of family memories is a truly remarkable find and reveals the private life of a snooker giant who is better remembered for his impeccable attire of evening wear and dress suits. Instead, you can see Joe and his holidaying in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Portugal. These polaroid snaps, often hidden away by families in dusty lofts, have fortunately seen the light of day once more. From attending Joe’s OBE ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1962 and the celebration party afterwards, playing snooker with his family in his custom-built snooker room at home, a room that even included a bar to visiting Grayshott Hall in Surrey and the husband and wife sunbathing in a friend’s garden.
This was a bygone age when life was lived at a different pace, holidays were a luxury, and communication was via crackling telephone calls or telegram, Joe’s wife, June was part of this glittering time, when radio and cinema were the key components of an entertainment diet. A singer by trade, June performed with big band leaders such as Jack Hylton and appeared on iconic wartime programmes such as ITMA with the comedian Tommy Handley and appeared in a number of variety concerts.
This was a couple that dined with them all, Vera Lynn and Stanley Rous, FIFA president, Fred and Joe Davis were snooker icons of their time, a time when bowler hats were worn for work and top hats for special occasions. These rare and previously unseen photographs show a relaxed Joe Davis, a family man who loved his time away from the media spotlight but enjoyed a night out and took his role as a famous sportsperson very seriously. A man who worked tirelessly beyond his retirement to show others his craft and inspire future generations of snooker players, especially through his book, ‘How I Play Snooker’, which many consider being a cornerstone of how to play this truly brilliant and fascinating game. Once played by the gentry of British society, snooker became the firm favourite of the working classes, encouraging young and old to pick up a cue. A game that has crossed mountains and seas to become a global phenomenon.
Thanks to Mark Watterson for providing the photographs and the material to help write this piece and for giving me permission to write this piece.
