This is: Jack O'Leary.
He wanted to be a boxer. Unfortunately, he had to join the war as a lad. It broke his spirit. Later on he found the love of his life. This was done via an early version of the e-mail called mail. He lived with his lady companion until he developed cronic halitosis, seriously impeding their smooching. Jack never believed this was her reason, instead thinking she was having a scandalous affair with a hat rack.
