Football's Forgotten Heroes of WW1: The Untold Story!

[@ianw5528]

Thank you Chris for highlighting the contribution of players and fans from Heart of Midlothian. The 1914 team is still revered at Tynecastle, where there is a statue of a 1st World War infantry soldier holding a football. There is also a play, entitled "A War of Two Halves" that is regularly put on during the Edinburgh festival. It tells the story of the Hearts team and McCrae's battalion.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing the information about the play.

[@WHU63]

Do Hearts still put the players who died in WW1 names on their shirts in the game closest to Remembrance Day?

[@timeandnourishment1961]

Thanks for this wonderful tribute to these brave men, players and fans alike. We will remember them. 🥀

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment

[@rodeastell3615]

A wonderful tribute to those who gave so much and in some cases, everything.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching

[@nigeh5326]

My team West Bromwich Albion list 2 players in WA1 Harold Bache and William H Jackson. They and other players who served are commemorated at the club. Thanks for the video 👍 Oh and I did watch your Agincourt video as you recommended a few days ago great stuff as always Chris 😃

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing about Bache and Jackson. Also glad that you enjoyed my Agincourt video

[@GiddeeAunt]

Vivian Woodward was an amateur footballer who played for Tottenham and Chelsea. He stayed with Chelsea until the outbreak of the war, when he initially joined the Rifle Brigade but later became a captain of the Footballer’s Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was wounded in action early in 1916 and never played serious football again. He scored Tottenham's first ever league goal in 1908 when they were promoted to Division League 2 from the Southern league. I live in his old, family home in Essex!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Awesome. As a Spurs fan I’m grateful for your contribution

[@GiddeeAunt]

He also won two gold olympic medals for Britain! CRHnews made a good video about him - if you want a new project to report on!! @@TheHistoryChap

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

Walter Tull was postumously awarded the MM but his family were refused it. Thank you for honouring him

[@TheHistoryChap]

My wife pleasure. Thanks for watching

[@markstarmer3677]

After falling out with Spurs, he came to Northampton Town. There is a road named after him and a memorial next the the ground.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

@@markstarmer3677 I know there was a documentary called Not forgotten presented by Ian Hislop, in which he and Alan Turing were referred to. There's also a docudrama called Walter's war.

[@russellmarriott9396]

I’m a little confused by your comment. To my knowledge Tull was never awarded a medal and it’s fairly well accepted that it was because of his colour. He was the first black British officer.

[@ladymeghenderson9337]

@@russellmarriott9396 I beg your parsnips,it was the Military Cross kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYqcknp8rcx1rKs&si=9OCw5GMBQRkUGyvu

[@albertjack4050]

My grandfather John Willmott was connected to Clapton Orient. I don't remember him saying he played for them (maybe) but he was definitely a fan. And he certainly joined the Footballer's Battalion in 1915 with players from Clapton Orient. He was 21 at the time. They trained at Holmbury St Mary in Surrey before being sent to The Somme. He was wounded twice at Derville Wood. Shot once and then hit by shrapnel as he lay on a stretcher. He was lucky - lived on and passed away in 1980 aged 86. And he remained an Orient fan for all of his life. Respect. Thanks for your video...

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.

[@thegreatvincenzo8159]

Walter Daniel John Tull (28 April 1888 - 25 March 1918) was an English professional footballer and British Army officer of Afro-Caribbean descent. He played as an inside forward and half back for Clapton, Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town and was the third person of mixed heritage to play in the top division of the Football League after Arthur Wharton and Willie Clarke. He was also the first player of African descent to be signed for Rangers in 1917 while stationed in Scotland.During the First World War, Tull served in the Middlesex Regiment, including in the two Footballers' Battalions. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 30 May 1917 and killed in action on 25 March 1918.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to share

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

He was commissioned in spite of King's Regulations saying officers had to be white.

[@Starman2319]

Thank you so much for telling their story. We will remember them.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to write a comment.

[@iangallacher]

Thank you for this, my Grandfather Patrick Joseph Gallacher is 2nd from top left in the first photo (bottom left in the photo at 6.00), he joined the Footballers Battalion aged 34, he was known as the "Old Spurs Warrior". I have a letter from Joe Mercer's son Joe (later England manager), written to Patrick in 1947 about Joe's father.

[@TheHistoryChap]

That is a fantastic story. Thank you

[@graemeh2028]

For some reason rarely mentioned, The 1913/4 Glasgow Accies(rugby) team that won the Scottish Championship joined en mass. Of the first fifteen, 8 died and 6 were injured. Only one player was uninjured.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to share

[@christopherwarren9439]

this story is really interesting and shows how then every one and I mean every one went to serve there country. Just wonder if the footballers of today would do the same I think not . great work keep up the great work love your videos

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and for posing your question

[@philipr1567]

Top league and international footballers in those days did not have insanely high salaries and transfer fees, so financial self-interest was not a factor. I think a comparison with English third division and non-league clubs would be relevant.

[@davidwhite4874]

A particularly pointless war, easily avoided. The cream of our people destroyed.

[@TheHistoryChap]

A lost generation.

[@samwillis118]

I live around the corner from the Hearts Memorial in Edinburgh. A beautiful memorial and always a sight on remembrance day and Remembrance Sunday, with all the wreaths and the service done there. ❤

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, it is a really impressive memorial

[@Katmando376]

Thank you Chris a great video.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching

[@FranciscoPreira]

Thank you Chris, what a great post indeed, thanks for sharing.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cameronbrown9080]

What a fantastic story thanks for what you do and keep them coming as they are educational and the way you tell them is great 👍 😊😊

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you like them!

[@davidwoods7720]

Thanks so much for this Chris,much appreciated indeed

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very welcome

[@Archi.x002]

0:00 That Man sitting in the middle row- Second one from left- looks familiar 🤔

[@TheHistoryChap]

Go on…

[@angrymanwithsillymoustasche]

Ikr 😅 For a while I thought that was the famous rejected Austrian painter.

[@PeterMouat-x8m]

Great video many thanks.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markymark3075]

Fascinating story thanks!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nathanappleby5342]

Goods video Chris. So many good and sad stories.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching

[@nathanappleby5342]

You're Welcome

[@LetsGo_41]

What an excellent video.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks!

[@janlindtner305]

Another excellent talk Chris.👍👍👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Chris, a great tribute, it's a humbling story, may they rest in peace. I think I mentioned that the Pompey Pals were commemorated in 2014 by having their names sewn into the shirt. As an aside, as you mentioned Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he lived for a while in the Southsea district of Portsmouth and practised as a doctor (I think he may have lived on the edge of the Havelock ward) anyway he also played for the football teams in the city that would later form Portsmouth Football Club, his exploits were recorded in the local paper, he played under the pseudonym of Arthur Smith!! It was during his time in the city that he wrote the first Sherlock Holmes novel. Have a great Sunday!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@alanbobbymcguire5099]

I have always been very proud of The Heart of Midlothian football players. What utter giants among men.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks so much for watching my video

[@Lassisvulgaris]

Yet another good one. Any chance of Bruce Bairnfather, and "Old Bill"...?

[@TheHistoryChap]

I will try to add to my ever-growing list

[@Hugh_de_Mortimer]

Thanks Chris, great as always. Anything like this for Rugby?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will look into it for you

[@martinhogg5337]

Just back from watching Rangers v Hearts! A very timely story and reminder of sacrifice.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Poignant. Thank you for watching

[@welshwargamer2066]

Got to mention Cardiff captain Fred keenor fought in and survived the Somme and went on to be the only captain to take the FA cup out of England. Great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@mairiconnell6282]

The fact that the men being away gave woman's football an incredible boost. At some games up to 40,000 plus used to watch the factory girls play and sadly when the war was over women were forbidden to play by the FA. Another story for another day. I used to drive pass that memorial in Edinburgh daily and I never new until now what it was commemorating.

[@TheHistoryChap]

You are right about the impact it had on women’s football. Thanks for reminding us.

[@petersewell5091]

I enjoyed that podcast very much. Have you heard the story of The Wartime Wanderers? From WW2

[@TheHistoryChap]

No I hadn’t. I will need to look it up

[@petersewell5091]

Further info on Wartime Wanderers. Bolton Wanderers nearly all of the first team joined up the day after Ww2 was declared. Lead by the captain Harry Gosling, they became part of The Bolton Artillery, were in the rearguard at Dunkirk, were in Iran, fought in the desert campaign, represented UK vs an Egyptian side and were part of the Italian campaign. Harry Gosling was killed in Italy and was their only fatality. Well remembered by the club, supporters and the town

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing that story from Bolton Wanderers

[@victorydaydeepstate]

How about the St Bee Man? I love the way you explain British history without the "hear, hear" and "you're bloody right mate" being shouted in the background.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching my videos and for taking the time to comment

[@HoneyMonster205]

Thanks for this Chris Is there enough data for cricket and rugby resumes?

[@TheHistoryChap]

I haven’t come across any, but then I haven’t been specifically looking for that information either

[@mattdragonrider7888]

Something that may be worth investigating is the Number of International rugby players who were awarded medals for valour ,this came to my notice when i was working at Twickenham ,there were a great many internationals who were awarded medals ,perhaps the best known from WW2 being Blair (paddy) Mayne

[@TheHistoryChap]

Great suggestion. Maybe one for a future video?

[@MrBook123456]

yet any other good video

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you, thanks

[@JesusSanchez-ul2ex]

Wow just a fascinating story brave men indeed R I P . Love your stories Blessings

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you

[@formwiz7096]

I'd heard of the pals battalions, but this is very different. The shirts Clapton Orient wore remind me of the ones (old footballer (soccer player) myself) I wore 65 years ago with the lace-up front.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment

[@harryshriver6223]

I like the idea of the Pals battalion. We are in this together, and it sounds like a great motto. It reminds me of the professional baseball teams who volunteered for military service during WW2. A professional league of female professional ballplayers emerged from the shortage of baseball. I think a contrast with comparison of the professional athletes of both nations is a great idea 💡 👍 for a future episode. Well done, amigo, and I'm looking forward to future episodes. 👍 RIP to all of the brave men who served with distinction and bravery, Essayons!

[@philipr1567]

The Pals Battalions were a splendid recruiting idea, but in practice there were disadvantages. There are recorded instances of them 'going over the top' and, to the anger of their commanders, being more concerned with helping their wounded comrades than pushing forward to their objective. There are also instances of communities being devastated when casualty lists were posted and they learned of many relatives, neighbours, and friends being wiped out in a single day.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Harry, they were a great idea but when a battalion was wiped out it had a massive impact on communities.

[@harryshriver6223]

@@TheHistoryChap I can only imagine the heartbreaking sorrow of all of those families who lost loved ones in the war to end all wars. My condolences and heartfelt sympathies to any and all who have lost loved ones in the tides of war.

[@Frank_nwobhm]

The story of Walter Tull was both fascinating and incredible. He broke down many barriers in his time.

[@legandrydirk]

Tull was a Glasgow Rangers player we signed him in 1917 when he was doing officer training in Ayrshire

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, although he never played for them.

[@legandrydirk]

@@TheHistoryChap Was still a Rangers player though and that wasn't exactly his fault

[@xltrt]

@thehistorychap Have you ever considered making a video of the British surrender of Singapore during WW2?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Strange that you should say that. It’s on my hit list. Probably after Christmas now.

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

Heros or such types anyway, Thx Chris for the story today! But remember Uwe Seeler...Ludwig

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching Ludwig.

[@aaropajari7058]

I asked for Tull, I got Tull. Thank you. Tottenham's best!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Indeed. 😀

[@aBRUSHforCONFUCIUS]

War is an obscene waste. The Pals battalions turned out to be a real tragedy for the British army, on the first day of the Somme. Whole streets and neighborhoods lost most and sometimes, all their men.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Another one of those ideas that seems great at the time

[@MichaelCampin]

I now have the Amethyst booklet. Please can you let me know where to send you a copy of the 1948 booklet. M

[@TheHistoryChap]

Please send me an email via my website: www.thehistorychap.com

[@scottessery100]

It’s so sad when nationalism and a duty to die for your country is more important than a persons life

[@TheHistoryChap]

Was of its times.

[@shermangriffin4668]

Im not sure what people see in Football. However, it is another great history lesson. As an American War Vet x2, I wish our countries would enforce teaching history of all the major wars. Maybe we would stop wars from being repeated.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Profound thought. Thanks for sharing

[@dougearnest7590]

Though I don't remember the movie, I remember a scene in which a military officer was postulating that the way a nation fights wars is determined by that nation's favorite sport, and I've given that a lot of thought over the years. Where I live we have American Football -- large muscular men wearing helmets with face shields and a ton of padding literally slamming into the opposition trying to open a hole in the middle of their formation, along with forward passes -- which intended receivers can miss with little consequence. After each play, a meeting is held to announce / discuss the next play. There are seperate offensive and defensive teams, and even "special teams" to take the field for certain plays. Players are rotated in and out of play quite liberally (in addition to entire teams when the ball is turned over.) Fights between players occur during which multiple officials blow whistles, but the fight doesn't end until the players decide it ends. "Offsetting penalties" cancel each other out, which means nobody faces any consequences for the fight. Each yard gained is of utmost significance, since failure to gain a certain amount of ground within a certain number of plays results in loss of poessession of the ball. To me, this analogy makes sense. Compare this to "Football" played in the rest of the world, in which the ball is kicked around in various directions until they work their way downfield, then decide something isn't right and kick the ball all the way back to where they started from to start all over again. (Granted, I never played soccer, and was never able to watch more than a few seconds at a time - so perhaps there is some strategy involved which I've not figured out.) Given that footballers have stamina and can run fast for short periods, aren't allowed to tackle opposing players, and are actually rewarded for pretending to be injured, it seems football wasn't the best preparation for fighting a war, and especially for spending weeks at a time in a muddy trench unable to do anything except get shot at by artillery and the occasional sniper, then climb out of their trench to charge the enemy's trench. At any rate, my point is that it's obvious all freedom-loving people should ditch these two sports and make Rugby Union their game of choice. Cheers ...

[@TheHistoryChap]

And thank you for taking the time to show your thoughts in considerable detail. I hope other viewers take the time to read.

[@dougearnest7590]

Thank you. It's no trouble though, it's not like I have much of a social life. I just wish more people would follow my advice and make the switch. @@TheHistoryChap

[@BFBCFTW]

By that logic the American military should stop every five minutes for adverts and bore the rest of the world to death!

[@dougearnest7590]

LOL exactly! Between ads they can smash into the opposition, then during the ads they can take a break, rotate new players in, and come up with a new plan to smash into the opposition.@@BFBCFTW

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

My Dad's brother , Laurence McCauley , was the first military casualty of the second War . A Churchilian order on the the the 4th of September , sent a Squadron of Wellington Bombers across the the Channel , to embark on a wayward sortee . This is not recognised yet , but I have the evidence .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing

[@Marco65730]

Donald Simpson bell VC and played for Newcastle. There is a memorial where he was killed called Bells Redoubt. He was one of 15 footballers who had connections with the club who signed up. Tommy Goodwill and Dan Dunglinson were both killed on the first day of the Somme. The story of Jack Thomas is a good one. Taken captive but then escaped using a compass sent in a cake from home. Went on to work in intelligence and was sent back to France as a spy.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing this story

[@zapre2284]

Everton FC ...Champions in 1914/15 and 1938/39 ....The only club to retain the league for multiple seaons without kicking a ball

[@TheHistoryChap]

That’s a great fact. Maybe I need to tell a story about it

[@daviddavis7710]

When Walter Tull was killed several attempts were made by his men to bring him to safety. They did not know that he was dead at that time, indeed he may not have been. Among the men who tried to bring him in was the goalkeeper of Leicester Foss FC, now Leicester City. Some were put up for a medal but nobody received one. Generally the British Army only awards medals for successful actions.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@tonysmith2721]

Can you really imagine any of today’s footballers going through any of that?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@MichaelCampin]

RIP the soccer battalion.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your comment

[@robbiemcc4355]

Two occasions the Toffees couldn’t defend their championship 1915, 1939 -40. Amazing coincidence. Great story again.✌️

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting. Thanks for pointing that out

[@Antekrw1]

So many of our lads were slaughtered it must have been very odd in the towns and villages afterwards 😢

[@TheHistoryChap]

In the 1921, census, 109 women for every 100 men

[@Skipper.17]

Australia had the same thing with Australian rules football and rugby and rugby league.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesmyers5703]

I see alot of stuff about recruits going to the army, what about the navy??

[@TheHistoryChap]

Well, there were no pals battalions on the navy.

[@billygillan821]

The Hearts of Midlothian story is truly sad,they were winning the league ,so after 11 personal went to fight and die,Celtic went on to win it,if the S.F.A had any decently ,the would of giving the league that year.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting. I wasn’t aware of that fact.

[@helenllama]

⁠@@TheHistoryChapThe Hearts played and trained for the Army at the same time. Ended up finishing second by 4 points. One those who was both playing and training had Leukemia at the time too.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Have you ever run across any stories of Americans in Europe during WW2 getting a bronze star for derailing a train/destroying the rail with an antitank rifle while hiding under canvas on an exposed hillside? My grandfather only gave reluctant terse answers to queries about his service. He was at Gardalegen towards the end of the war after Germany's border was broken and they tried to hide what they were doing. It explains a lot about why he didn't hardly say anything.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I hadn’t come across that one. Thanks for sharing

[@BobAngus-k8q]

The hypocrisy of the millionaire press .. echoes of today.

[@TheHistoryChap]

They say history comes around

[@graemeh2028]

Walter Tull, RFC WATP 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment

[@jeffwolcott7815]

Sportsmen leaving for the battlefield, why don't we hear about these things in today's conflicts?

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think many Ukrainian sportsmen have done this.

[@arthur12345cat]

Very interesting,I know Newcastle United lost at least one player in the battle of the Somme,a player called Tommy Goodwill,our freedom comes at a cost

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

IIRC the fate of the Pals battalions changed the recruitment policy of the British Army post 1918…in order to prevent entire communities losing their boys in one day…

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes, a great idea in theory but in practice some of the results were devastating

[@simplyphil.photography164]

Many men signed on for Kitchener's Army, many not made the grade; Kings Regs, 352? Para 3 likely to be an unifficent soldier; unfit, malnutrition, medically downgraded, awol, you will find this being used a lot when finding family. Many soldiers was not use to having three meals a day, found them to rich which effected their bowels, but we can thank them and their families for their dedication and those that did not return who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, the Pals Battalions was wrong to do, as we now know, entire communities lost there sons and brothers, by serving in the Pal's Battalion's, also having brothers in the same Regiment at that time was wrong, that fact has now been rectified.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to share

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

Don’t forget the tiddly-winking Pals either…

[@TheHistoryChap]

Bigland’s Banthams.

[@paulwilson7234]

Was there ever a point in 1914 when WW1 might not have happened?

[@TheHistoryChap]

That’s a great pub debate! Could it have been avoided in 1914? Possibly. Could it have been avoided forever? highly unlikely .

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

seeing what the politicians have given away today, I wonder if these men woukd have go e to fight for Britain today... I wouldnt.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts

[@Thurnmourer]

Trenchmen United.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment

[@RobAngus-l6s]

The press rounded on them as Working Class. Lions lead by Donkeys

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@jurgschupbach3059]

Kitchener Gravy

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to comment

[@garybrockwell2031]

As usual Chris you do them great honour💪🇬🇧 Walter Tull youve covered before, but what a lad💪 the picture of him with his brave friends having a fag🧐😢 less we forget them brave souls 🙏💯🇬🇧 because we have forgotten what they died for😢🙏 so many copping it in 1918🆘💔 Football today is self intituled,,, no don't think they'll be much good🤔 Another great episode THANKS 🙏 FOR THAT..

[@TheHistoryChap]

Sport and society is so different. How would we react? I hope we never have to find out.

[@christopher-ke9nj]

It, was shocking the nation was aghast

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@11buster1000]

PUP

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for commenting

[@theimmortalgrenadier3851]

Poor lads. So eager to enlist in what later revealed to be the worst war for soldiers in human history.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for taking the time to comment

[@jayfelsberg1931]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Football_League_players_who_died_in_wars

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing