Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Walter Tull, pioneering footballer and first black commissioned officer
Some facts about Walter Tull
Tull played for Spurs between 1909 and 1911 and was also the British Army's first black commissioned officer.
Walter Tull was born in Kent in 1888, one of six children.
A talented footballer he also played for Northampton Town, which unveiled a memorial to him next to its stadium in 1998. He signed up to the army in 1914 as a private but within three years had become the first British-born black infantry officer.
He spent much of World War One on the frontline and was killed leading his men into action on the Western Front on March 25, 1918, aged 29
Max Arthur, a local historian said: “He was a wonderful man. He was the first black officer in the British Army. In 1909 he signed for Tottenham Hotspur as the second ever professional black footballer.
“When war broke out he joined the 17th (1st Football) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. In 1915 he was sent to France and he was promoted to Sergeant.
"He took part in the Somme offensive despite the regulations preventing any persons of colour being made an officer.
“On March 25, 1918, the Lieutenant was killed during an attack on the trenches. His body was never recovered despite every effort by his men to find him. His men loved him."
TALKS are underway between Spurs and Haringey Council over a memorial to the pioneering black footballer. More than 100 people have signed a petition calling for a memorial to Walter Tull - the first black outfield professional footballer.
A Haringey Council spokesman confirmed: "We are in early discussions with Tottenham Hotspur on this proposal."
More in the HJ here
Tull played for Spurs between 1909 and 1911 and was also the British Army's first black commissioned officer.
Walter Tull was born in Kent in 1888, one of six children.
A talented footballer he also played for Northampton Town, which unveiled a memorial to him next to its stadium in 1998. He signed up to the army in 1914 as a private but within three years had become the first British-born black infantry officer.
He spent much of World War One on the frontline and was killed leading his men into action on the Western Front on March 25, 1918, aged 29
Max Arthur, a local historian said: “He was a wonderful man. He was the first black officer in the British Army. In 1909 he signed for Tottenham Hotspur as the second ever professional black footballer.
“When war broke out he joined the 17th (1st Football) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. In 1915 he was sent to France and he was promoted to Sergeant.
"He took part in the Somme offensive despite the regulations preventing any persons of colour being made an officer.
“On March 25, 1918, the Lieutenant was killed during an attack on the trenches. His body was never recovered despite every effort by his men to find him. His men loved him."
TALKS are underway between Spurs and Haringey Council over a memorial to the pioneering black footballer. More than 100 people have signed a petition calling for a memorial to Walter Tull - the first black outfield professional footballer.
A Haringey Council spokesman confirmed: "We are in early discussions with Tottenham Hotspur on this proposal."
More in the HJ here
Tags for Forum Posts: Walter Tull, local history
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on
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Very interesting Liz, thanks.
A few years before Walter Tull back in 1889, Arthur Wharton was the first professional Black Footballer and he played for Preston North End and Sheffield United.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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In the light of yesterday's Remembrance service, I thought this history of a 'local' hero was of interest
A little more info:
Walter Tull, the son of joiner, was born in Folkestone in April 1888 Walter's father, the son of a slave, had arrived from Barbados in 1876.
In 1895, when Walter was seven, his mother died. Walter's father remarried but died two years later. The stepmother was unable to cope with all six children and Walter and his brother Edward were sent to a Methodist run orphanage in Bethnal Green, London.
Walter was a keen footballer and played for a local team in Clapton. In 1908 Walter's talents were discovered by a scout from Tottenham Hotspur and the club decided to sign this promising young footballer. He played for Tottenham until 1910, when he was transferred for a large fee to Northampton Town. Walter was the first black outfield player to play professional football in Britain.
On the outbreak of the First World War,Tull immediately abandoned his football career and offered his services to the British Army. The Army soon recognised Tull's leadership qualities and he was quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Walter, like many professional players, joined the 1st Football Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. Walter Tull was sent to the Italian front. This was an historic occasion because Tull was the first ever black officer in the British Army.
On 25th March, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Tull was ordered to lead his men on an attack on the German trenches at Favreuil. Soon after entering No Mans Land, Tull was hit by a German bullet. He was such a popular officer that several of his men made valiant efforts under heavy fire from German machine-guns to bring him back to the British trenches. These efforts were in vain as Tull had died soon after being hit.Tull's body was never found.
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UPDATE: A new website dedicated to telling the Walter Tull story funded by various sources including Heritage Lottery fund and Kick Racism out of Football is now online at Crossing the White Line
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