Their union a match made in heaven, young sweethearts Les Darcy and Winnie O’Sullivan were torn apart by tragedy.
1 Les Darcy, c. 1916 an unknown artist. 2 Winnie O'Sullivan, c. 1917 an unknown artist. National Museum of Australia. 3 Mourning Locket, c. 1917 an unknown artist. National Museum of Australia.
Sparks flew when beautiful young Sydneysider Winnie O’Sullivan met star boxer Les Darcy, and the two soon became young sweethearts. Boyish looker Les became Australia’s golden boy of boxing, holding both the middleweight and heavyweight crowns, and winning 46 of his 50 professional fights. In late 1916, America beckoned – just five fights there would set the 21 year-old up financially. Winnie was en route to join him when news reached her that Les had septicaemia – ironically caused by post-bout dental surgery he’d had back in Australia. Rushing to Memphis, she arrived on 23 May 1917, and was by his side when he died the following day. After Winnie’s death in 1974, a gold mourning locket – its worn back grooved by her thumb’s constant caress – was found among her possessions. Inside the poignant keepsake is Les’ ever-beaming face and a lock of his golden hair.
