Douglas Pomford, also known by his nickname Duggie, was a boxing champion in his home country before deciding to swap the ring for the battlefield as a soldier in the elite British special forces. Born in Liverpool, Douglas travelled the world taking part in high-risk operations. It’s no wonder he is considered a war hero – you’ll be stunned to learn how he took down two Nazis with his bare hands, among his many other acts of bravery. So, war history enthusiasts, especially those from Liverpool, have plenty to read about right now at liverpoolyes.com.
Pomford’s Early Life and Key Moments
Pomford was born and raised in Toxteth, Liverpool. His parents were John James and Mary Pomford, with his father working as a carter. From a young age, Duggie fell in love with boxing and achieved significant success, becoming the Lancashire and Cheshire Middleweight Champion. His results were slightly less stellar in the light-heavyweight division. When Douglas decided to join the army, he was selected for service in the special forces, specifically the Special Boat Service, just six months later. During the Second World War, Pomford proved himself to be a fearless and courageous soldier.
Among the daring operations Douglas participated in were raids on Crete and other areas of Greece. In Crete, Pomford was one of 200 soldiers who raided three airfields under Nazi control. Later, shifting their focus to the islands of Kos and Leros, Duggie’s unit helped clear and set up an airfield, an act for which he was deservedly awarded a medal.
Douglas earned other accolades too (for example, for attacks on the islands of Ios, Amorgos, and Naxos in 1944) and performed remarkably brave deeds. We’ll discuss some of them further on. In 1945, Pomford became a paratrooper and managed to take part in several operations in the Balkans before his demobilisation in 1946. Upon retiring from service, Duggie returned to Liverpool, which was then rebuilding, where he founded the Golden Gloves ABC boxing club.
A Mediterranean Feat of Bravery
War heroes aren’t just those who eliminate large numbers of enemy forces; they are also those who display exceptional courage in specific situations. Those who take risks, put themselves in harm’s way, but in doing so, protect their comrades and civilians, perhaps even sacrificing themselves.
Here is one such act by Douglas. It was the dead of night. At the time, Allied forces had just been forced to retreat to Turkey, abandoning their airfield on the Mediterranean islands. The British Command sent a group of soldiers, including Pomford, to recapture the airfield from the inside. Duggie, who was only 24 then, sneaked into the bedroom of two Nazis who were changing into their pyjamas, and neutralised them with his bare hands!
“How is that possible?” you might ask. Did he attack from behind? Were they already asleep instead of getting changed? No. They resisted and engaged the brave Liverpudlian in a fight. But don’t forget, he was a boxer. Yes, boxers usually fight one opponent, but in this case, the former athlete drew on his skills and confidently defeated both at once. This was more than just a knockout; Pomford sent them to their final rest.
Other Military Operations and Successes
After joining the South Lancashire Regiment in 1940, Douglas Pomford quickly established himself as a brave soldier, leading to his rapid rise through the army ranks. His path to special operations began with a posting to No. 11 Commando under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Keyes.
In 1941, Pomford was due to take part in Operation Flipper, which aimed to capture Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. However, the submarine transporting him was forced to withdraw due to worsening weather conditions. This proved to be a stroke of luck—Douglas avoided a raid that ended in disaster for 31 out of 34 commandos.
In 1942, Duggie spent seven months hiding in the mountains with Greek partisans, where he frequently demonstrated his courage. His commander noted Pomford as a leader with “cold-bloodedness and complete disregard for danger,” underscoring his outstanding combat qualities.
Key Achievements and Facts from His Life
It’s true that Douglas “Duggie” Pomford was primarily known for his military prowess, but he also left a significant mark on the Liverpool boxing scene. A distinguished fighter, he achieved success in the ring, but the war marked a new stage in his life. Marrying Mary Cavanagh in 1945, he continued to actively participate in the life of his local community.
Even in peacetime, Pomford continued to show heroism. In 1954, he was awarded the Liverpool Humane Society Medal for rescuing a person who was drowning in a Liverpool dock. His considerable collection of combat medals spoke volumes about his bravery and resilience.
Douglas Pomford died prematurely in 1969 at the age of 49. His legacy lives on not only through his medals or achievements in the ring but also through the memory of his actions during the Second World War. Pomford’s family even sold his awards at auction in 2014, hoping they would go to someone who would appreciate this part of history. They fetched £90,000, well above the anticipated £50,000.