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The centenary of Walter Tull’s death has seen a host of events across the country to recognise and commemorate the life of a very special man.
The PFA have been proud of the contributions of Walter Tull for many years. He was part of the 1st Footballers Battallion, the 17th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment party of the British Army and made up of players, officials and supporters who joined to fight the First World War.
He sadly lost his life on the battlefields of the Somme aged 29 and leading as Second Lieutenant, an Officer despite being black and therefore barred from such a commission at the time.
Born in Folkestone he was made an orphan by the age of 9 and Walter and his brother Edward were taken to an orphanage in Bethnal Green as part of the organisation called Action For Children (formerly National Children’s Home). The brothers were kept together for some time before his brother was adopted by a family from Glasgow.
Walter excelled at sport and went on to play for amateur team Clapton FC where he was spotted by scouts from Tottenham Hotspur and was signed up. One of the first black players in the English game he was subjected to terrible racial abuse which affected his game and he was confined to the reserves. Fortunately he signed for Northampton Town and played 111 games for the club before the outbreak of World War One.
He fought extensively in the war and was made an officer serving on the Italian front from November 1917 to March 1918. It was here that he was cited for his “gallantry and coolness” after leading 26 men on a night raid against enemy position. Tull was put forward for the Military Cross for his bravery and gallantry however unfortunately this was never received and to this day we are working to see his name honoured.
Walter Tull Footballer, Officer
The PFA have been stalwart supporters of the work of Walter Tull for many years and would like to pay tribute to historian Phil Vasili for his dedication to supporting Walter Tull's memory including writing his biography “Walter Tull Footballer, Officer”. The second, updated and revised edition "Walter Tull, 1888 to 1918, Footballer and Officer" was published this month.
The PFA has also supported and endorsed his plays including "Tull" which had a three week run at the Octagon, Bolton and The Bernie Grant Centre Tottenham and "The Beautiful Game" at the Brent Civic Centre, Wembley. Through the Walter Tull Heritage and Legacy Project versions of these plays have been adapted and performed across the country by school children who have learnt about Walter's amazing life story.
Phil has been working with others to turn Walters story into a film. For more information about the film:
- Visit: artfulfilms.co/web
- Email Phil Vasili: philvasili@artfulfilms.co
We have worked with the Tull family for many years supporting Walters memory and pay tribute to the commitment they have shown in their dear Uncle's memory. Tull’s great nephew Ed Finlayson says “We have seen the creation of educational materials, publications, community projects, dramas, plays and documentaries concerning Walters life and the issues around inequality and discrimination. If aspects of his life have been helpful in supporting and promoting the need to challenge inequality and discrimination and perhaps provided some encouragement in this endeavour – you hope that this will not diminish once the centenary of his death has passed.”
The artist Colin Yates has produced some wonderful artwork of Walter Tull over the years, one of which is proudly displayed in the PFA London office. The PFA are sponsoring his Black Looks exhibition at the National Football Exhibition which will feature Walter Tull and other significant black footballers in October. For more information please see Colin's website: footballfineart.com/home
Walter Tull, featured in the PFA sponsored exhibition 'Black Looks' by Colin Yates.
The artwork and Walter Tulls story has been used in schools across the country and as part of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign when the PFA encouraged the artist to partner with the campaign and use Walters story as part of the programme.
We have worked closely with Northampton Town FC in the clubs great works to remember Walter Tull over the years and our Executive Terry Angus has played a significant contribution working with the club as another former player in Walter Tulls memory. A lasting memorial and rememberance garden lie in the shadow of the Northampton Town stadium and remembers his life. A tribute memorial game is taking place Friday 30th March at Northampton Town.
The PFA also supports the Tull100 a government and Lottery-funded project which has been established specifically to commemorate the centenary of Walter Tull's death and will be working to educate school children about his lifetime achievements which are so significant still today both for Black History and British values. The project aims to use Tulls story to boost community cohesion and inclusivity.
We would like to officially acknowledge our support for the appeal to commemorate Walter Tull posthumously with the Military Cross and may he rest in peace.
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