Blue plaque commemorates army veteran and boxer

Sydney Bolesworth suffered serious shell wounds and a gunshot to the backside during World War One

A blue plaque has been placed in Leicestershire to commemorate World War One veteran and boxer Sydney Bolesworth.

The plaque was put on display in Holliers Walk Druid car park in Mr Bolesworth's birthplace of Hinckley.

He was born in 1889 and attended St Peter's School, where he first started boxing, before joining the army in 1905, when he was posted to India.

Mr Bolesworth returned home in 1912 and soon earned a top reputation in the Midlands boxing scene, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said, but he rejoined the army in 1914 and was killed in action three years later.

The plaque to commemorate Mr Bolesworth describes him as "the best soldier in the Leicestershire Regiment"

According to the council, he regularly challenged colleagues to box him in the ring at the hosiery factory where he worked, which is now Concordia Theatre.

His boxing career took off while serving, and he won prestigious titles along the way, such as the All India Boxing Championships on two occasions, the council added.

Mr Bolesworth died at Ypres, Belgium, on 1 October 1917, and his body was never recovered.

His name is on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.

Councillor Paul Williams, heritage champion at the borough council, said: "The blue plaque scheme is a wonderful way for us to commemorate those who have made Hinckley and Bosworth proud in years gone by.

"It's great that we have been able to honour Sydney Bolesworth in this way.

"Make sure to look out for the plaque next time you're passing by, as well as the others around the town.

"My thanks go to local historian Greg Drozdz for nominating Sydney for a blue plaque."