Joseph Darby (jumper)

Joseph Darby (1861–1937) was a renowned jumper from the Black Country village of Netherton. He specialised in spring jumping (jumping starting from a stationary position) often using weights in his hands to help propel him. He entertained crowds by performing trick jumps and earned money in wagers with competitors. Highlights in his career included appearing before King Edward VII in Covent Garden, London and defeating the American W.G Hamlington, then the World Champion spring-jumper in 1887.

Biography

Statue of Joseph Darby in Netherton

Joseph Darby was born in Windmill End, Netherton on August 6, 1861.

He became renowned for his jumping ability and developed a number of trick jumps to entertain the crowds. He specialised in spring-jumping where he launched himself from a standing position. He often used dumbbell-shaped weights in his hands to help propel himself for the spring jumps. He performed in front of King Edward VII in Covent Garden. [1] In 1887 he defeated W.G Hamlington, then the World Champion spring-jumper.

He was presented with championship belts including one proclaiming him to be champion of the world, which was awarded at the Dudley Fetes in 1889. [2]

Two of his championship belts and other memorabilia are on display at Dudley Museum [3]

In later life he became the landlord of the Albion Inn, Dudley.

He died in Dudley on the 22nd of December, 1937

Jumps

Joseph Darby performed his jumps at a number of venues including sports grounds, circuses and concert halls. [4] He received money for performing, often from betting on the outcome of competitions with other jumpers. [5] The jumps themselves involved forwards and backwards spring jumps (often multiple jumps) and high jumps. Some of the jumps were over obstacles such as chairs at regular spacings. [5] Others required dexterity such as taking off or landing on a brick. He also developed the ability to briefly touch down his feet before his actual landing, which made possible 'trick jumps'. For one such trick jump, a volunteer would lie on the ground in the path of the jump and Joseph Darby would appear to land on and jump off the person's face.[5]

Some of his most famous achievements include: jumping over a full sized billiard table, a six-foot high jump performed with ankles tied, and leaping over a horse 13 hands high. [4] [5]

In the Police Gazette Sporting Annual for 1903, Joseph Darby is listed as holding seven different professional jumping records.[6]

The'Spring-heeled Jack' Legend

Joseph Darby has been linked to the 'Spring-heeled Jack' legend. In Victorian times, the legendary character known as 'Spring-heeled Jack' was reportedly spotted at a number of locations in Britain, including the Black Country. The creature was often described as having blazing eyes and had the ability to leap great distances. Joseph Darby supposedly started a local 'Spring-heeled Jack' scare when he was spotted practising his jumping by leaping over a local canal at night time, using a miner's lighted helmet to see his way. [7]


Commemoration

Joseph Darby is commemorated by a statue in the centre of his native town of Netherton. The statue shows Darby in a crouched position about to leap holding weights in either hand. It is mounted on a plinth which describes some of his exploits. There is also an exhibition of Joe Darby memorabilia in Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, including his championship belts.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Tump, Aristotle (1986). A Memorable Medley of Great Black Country Characters. A Bugle Publication.
  2. ↑ "Joe Darby Belts and Jumps". Black Country History. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Joe Darby Belts and Jumps". Black Country History. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 "A few of the athletic feats achieved by Joe Darby, Achilles of the Black Country". Black Country Bugle. 5 August 2004. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Jasper, Josephine (29 May 2013). "Joe Darby - Netherton's Legendary Leaper". Black Country Bugle. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Sam C. Austin, ed. (1903). The Police Gazette Sporting Annual for 1903. New York: Richard K. Fox. p. 14.
  7. ↑ Upton, Chris. "Spring-Heeled Jack". BBC - Legacies - Myths and Legends. BBC. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
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