Draft:T.B. Leng

Thomas Bradlaugh Leng, known as T.B. Leng, was a referee for the cue sports of snooker and English billiards.

Biography
(approx DOB) llived on Balham High Road

In tabloid newspaper The People, Leng claimed that he could drive a car, play cards, and read while blindfolded, as long as he was accompanied by someone to "aid the mental telepathy". The reported claimed that in a demonstrion, Leng had been able to repeat a phrase that the reported had written whilst Leng was blindfolded. Leng issued a challenge, saying that he believed there was nothing supernatural in any magician's act, and that he would bet £1,000 against anyone who claimed to be able to prove that "x-ray eyes" existed.

During a match between Sydney Lee and Tom Newman at Charles Chambers became ill and was unable to continue; Lenf, who was in the audience, stepped in to referee the match.

He refereed the 1946 World Snooker Championship final between Joe Davis and Horace Lindrum.

Beaufort Club London proprietor; ref1947 final; "knows the rules backwards, forwards and in every trickster form that any player can put to him"; taught by Chambers; due to ill health, Leng looking to step back - Bruce Donkin his protoge

The London newspaper Truth called Leng "the game's senior referee"; resigned over a dispute about free balls

When Horance Lindrum planned to come to England to play in WSC, he sent Leng a telegram asking him to arrange matches Leng placed announcement in billaird player Beaufot Leiceseter Sq "available for club engagements"

Leng spent about 15 years as a sailor from the age of 13; he once broke 22 bones in a fall from the top of a ship and was hospitalised for 49 weeks, the first two while unconscious; he flew and drove for leisure; and he ran his own snooker club, The Beaufort, in Lisle Street, London;

Club in Balham where McConacy was resident professional.

club official opening The Norwood News 19 Feb 1937, Fri ·Page 13

The Norwood News 01 Oct 1937, Fri · Page 3

The Norwood News 08 Oct 1937, Fri · Page 6

The People 24 Oct 1937, Sun · Page 11

Sunday Pictorial 10 Oct 1937, Sun · Page 43

The Norwood News 17 Dec 1937, Fri · Page 13

The Norwood News 31 Dec 1937, Fri · Page 5

Daily Herald. 25 Jan 1940, Thu · Page 10

Western Morning News 04 Feb 1947, Tue · Page 5

Dundee Courier - Wednesday 31 August 1949

LS Hall "Ts to be controlled by a panel of three: Miss Joyce Gardner, former woman billiards champion; Mr. T. B. Leng, a well-known referee; and Mr. Ted Lowe, who represents the man behind the whole scheme, Mr. Bob Jelks."

BP Feb 47 - ref for all London WSC heats, fee to Char X

BP November 1947 - Leng refereed LS Hall opening night.

died 1965? (TBC)