In March 1915 the Egyptian Mail Newspaper carried a wrestling challenge from Thomas McCarty (aka McCarthy), a British soldier who had travelled to Egypt with the 1/5th Manchester (127th Brigade, 42nd East Lancs Division) in September 1914.

McCarty was a well-known wrestler in Lancashire and had been winning cups and medals since 1908.

in June 1914, while on training exercises with the 1/5th Manchester, he defeated William Pritchard the previously unbeaten Champion of North Wales. The bout took place in front of several officers, Sir Charles Assheton Smith and 6,000 of his quarrymen at his Vaynol estate in North Wales.

Although Pritchard, dubbed ‘the Welsh Hackenschmidt’, was almost three stone heavier than Thomas and by all accounts an impressive physical specimen, he was unable to deal with the Wiganer’s speed and technique and after seven and half minutes of wrestling was defeated by two falls to none. McCarty picked up the Sir Charles Assheton Smith £20 silver Cup. The cup was renamed the ‘McCarty Rose Bowl’ and displayed in the Officer’s mess of the 5th Manchester Regiment in Wigan Drill Hall.

Just before WW1 Thomas became ‘Catch as Catch can’ Wrestling Champion of England in the 9st 7lb featherweight category.

This regional style of wrestling was real and could at times be brutal, it often took place in open fields for side stakes and wagers. Most matches were decided by either two falls or a submission. Despite its notoriety as a tough and violent sport, which appealed to its working class followers, it did often follow a set of rules prescribed by the now defunct Manchester Sporting Chronicle.

While stationed near Cairo, The Egyptian Mail challenge was printed: “Sergeant Tom McCarty, Abbassia, will wrestle any man in Egypt at 9st 11lbs to 10st for a sum to be mutually agreed upon by both parties or for the best purse offered. First come, first served. Business only is meant.”

Such was the reputation of Wigan wrestlers at that time that even the ANZACS were reluctant to take up the challenge. Eventually the Australian Hitchcox stepped up, only to be defeated by Thomas by 2 falls to none for £5. Thereafter, McCarty was referred to as the wrestling ‘Champion of Egypt’.

McCarty and the Manchester’s landed at Gallipoli, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery during the diversionary action at Krithia on 6th August 1915. His official London Gazette citation was brief: “For consistent gallantry and good work under heavy fire.”

But a later report in the Wigan Military Chronicle describes the action in more detail: "During the assault a particularly fine piece of work was accomplished by a platoon of "B" Company under Lieut. Cowan. Instead of jumping over our front line trench, or crossing by the bridges, the men took shelter in it "and got their wind", whereupon they rushed the objective without a casualty. They were immediately attacked by the enemy and in a short time nearly every man became a casualty, but Lieut. Cowan continued to lead the defence until he was killed. Sgt T. McCarty twice rushed the enemy bomb pit under heavy rifle fire, and although men from neighbouring platoons found their way into the position, they were all casualties. After about an hour, as there were not enough men to offer an effective resistance, Sgt. McCarty, again working under a hot and accurate rifle fire, tore away a sandbagged barricade and extricated the whole of the party, including all the wounded. A survivor wrote shortly afterwards, "All the time he was working they were shooting at us down the trench, every shot hit, and if he had not made the road none of us would have got out."

It is also reported that McCarty won the wrestling 'Championship of Gallipoli' under fire from Turkish snipers.

As well as his DCM, McCarty was mentioned in dispatches for his actions in Gallipoli. Promotion to Company Sergeant Major followed in early 1916 and he served on the Western front. Thomas was declared ‘Missing in action, presumed killed’ in March 1918, only to be found half submerged in mud in no man's land, suffering from shell shock. His lung was damaged from a gas attack and this injury ended his wrestling career.

After the war McCarty joined Wigan Rugby League club as trainer and unofficial physiotherapist. He was in charge of the team the first time they won the Rugby League Challenge Cup in 1924 at Rochdale, when Wigan defeated Oldham 21-4 and the second was in 1929 when Wigan defeated Dewsbury 13-2. The 1929 final was the first to be held at Wembley Stadium.

Thomas was introduced to the Prince of Wales (future King Edward VIII) on a visit to Wigan Rugby club in November 1932. The Prince walked down a line of ex-servicemen and when he came to Thomas he asked where he won the DCM, Thomas responded “Gallipoli”.

Although he was born in Ryhope, County Durham, he lived most of his life in the Wigan area. His parents were from a show family of theatre actors, circus performers & dancers. In between his stints in the army and navy, Thomas held a variety of jobs including Circus gymnast, minstrel, professional ghost, clog dancer, puppeteer, weightlifter, miner and it is claimed he was the first person in Wigan to operate a cinema reel.

In 1930 he was elected Chairman of the Wigan Boxers and Wrestlers association and in 1952 became Chairman of the Ince (Wigan) Royal British Legion, regularly attending remembrance events.

In later life he was a Punch and Judy man. He died on 27th September 1954 aged 71 and was laid to rest in Gidlow Cemetery in Wigan.