The Leyton Orient Somme story

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[@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, became a father in 1933, became my grandfather in 1964 and passed away in 1980 aged 86. He remained an Orient fan for all of his life. Respect. Thanks for your video...

[@LeeRestoration1275]

GOD BLESS THE BRAVE

[@Striker0760]

Amazing history. Thank you for everything you do Steve and everyone connected to the the Somme Memorial members, and lastly not least LOFC. A very special football club and its supporters past and present ❤

[@elthamo]

Stories like these should serve as a constant reminder of the futility of war and how bad our leaders are at striving for peace.

[@EvilEndz]

I was fortunate to go on multiple school history trips/holidays, in the 1980's, to visit both WWII and WWI sites and an extended trip to visit the memorials and war cemeteries across France and Belgium. These visits should be part of childrens education, because when you're actually standing there seeing the headstones and the endless lists of names of the fallen it really does sink in just how horrific the huge loss of life was and is when a war is on. The kids today have become numb to this, whilst these memories are still fresh in my memory today.