The Football battalions in WW1.
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During the First World War, over 2,000 professional footballers from Britain volunteered to serve their country.
Hundreds formed the core of their own Pals battalions.
They inspired thousands of fans to join them too.
Many of these working class sportsmen eventually became officers.
Many were decorated for valour, with two receiving the Victoria Cross.
And 364 made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives for their country.
This is the story of both those Football Battalions and some of the footballers who left the playing fields to fight on the battlefields during World War 1.
In November 1914, Edinburgh MP, George McCrae, instigated the formation of a Pal’s battalion of footballers in Scotland. The 16th battalion, Royal Scots, had at its core the first and reserve teams of his local club, Heart of Midlothian. They were swiftly joined by players from other clubs as well as supporters.
Seven Hearts players gave their lives for their country during the First World War and they are remembered in a landmark memorial at Haymarket, Edinburgh.
The Scottish example, galvanised the professional players in England into action.
Two Footballer’s battalions were formed, as part of the Middlesex Regiment.
They were commanded by Major Frank Buckley (England & Derby County) and Alain Haig-Brown (Tottenham Hotspur and Clapton Orient), respectively.
Haig-Brown was awarded the DSO and was killed in action in 1918.
Other players in the Footballer’s battalions included:
William Jonas (Clapton Orient), KIA at the battle of the Somme.
Richard McFadden (also Clapton Orient), awarded the Military Medal and KIA 1916
Captain Edward Inkerman Bell (Southampton FC), Military Cross. KIA 1918
Walter Tull (Northampton Town) KIA 1918
Joe Bailey (Reading FC), DSO and Military Cross (3 times!)
Percy Barnfather (Croydon Common) , Victoria Cross
Fred Bullock (Huddersfiled Town)
Joe Mercer (Nottingham Forest)
Not all footballer’s joined the Footballers battalions.
William Angus, formerly of Celtic, joined the Highland Light Infantry, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for resuing a stricken comrade in nomansland.
In the process he lost an eye and part of his right foot. He never played football again.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:35 Pal’s Battalions
1:50 Football in Crisis
4:04 McCrae’s Battalion
5:00 The Football Battalions
7:21 Battle of the Somme
9:00 Walter Tull
10:14 The Khaki Final
10:57 Medals for Valour
14:05 Casualties
16:04 Lest We Forget
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
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20 Comments
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
PUP
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
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.
Walter Tull, RFC
WATP 🇬🇧🇬🇧
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.
I have always been very proud of The Heart of Midlothian football players. What utter giants among men.
Kitchener Gravy
Was there ever a point in 1914 when WW1 might not have happened?
@thehistorychap Have you ever considered making a video of the British surrender of Singapore during WW2?
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.
Fascinating story thanks!
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.
So many of our lads were slaughtered it must have been very odd in the towns and villages afterwards 😢
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.
It's so sad that governments manipulate young people to go to war
seeing what the politicians have given away today, I wonder if these men woukd have go e to fight for Britain today…
I wouldnt.
It, was shocking the nation was aghast
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. ❤
Nobody goes to war to be sacraficed, they know the rick, but lose their lives in serving their country.