The Incredible Story of a Football Pioneer and War Hero

Walter Tull was a remarkable man in many ways Walter played various roles throughout his short life: a son, a brother, an orphan, a professional footballer, a soldier, an officer and, finally, a war hero. 

He was the second only black professional footballer in the UK to play at the highest level. He played for Tottenham Hotspur and then for Northampton Town when they played in the top flight. In fact, he is commemorated at the ground with his own memorial statue which you can see there today. They have even named one of the roads near the stadium after him and sell a beer at the ground that is named after him. 

Later, against all the odds, he became the first black Combat Officer in the British Army during World War 1. He led a company of 26 men at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 despite a military written rule that excluded those from Afro- Caribbean descent from exercising command. However his character, attitude, integrity and courage came to the fore and he was soon recognised for his exceptional leadership qualities and was promoted to officer status. Tull was actually cited in despatches for, ‘gallantry and coolness’ for leading his 26 man company to safety through enemy territory at night whilst coming under heavy artillery fire. He certainly made a mockery of the firmly held view of the Army Council that white rank-and-file soldiers would never take orders from a black man. His leadership and example excelled and was greatly appreciated and valued. 

It was in Northern France where he later died in battle on the frontline just a few months before the war ended in 1918. Despite the efforts of Private Tom Billingham, (a former goalkeeper for Leicester), to return him to the British position while under fire, his body was never recovered. 

Thirty years or so earlier Walter Daniel Tull was born in 1888. His father had moved from Barbados in the West Indies and his mother was from the English town of Folkestone in Kent where Walter was born. 

Walter had a troubled upbringing with his early years being fraught with setbacks. In fact, he had to overcome adversity all through his life. At the age of just 7 his mother died of cancer. Fifteen months later, Daniel, his father also died (of heart disease). Walter from thereon in grew up in a Methodist Children’s Home and Orphanage in the Bethnal Green area of London. His twin brother Edward was adopted by a family in Glasgow and he actually ended up becoming the first qualified and practising dentist of mixed heritage in the United Kingdom. 

Young Walter enjoyed playing football and was good. One day while he was playing for his orphanage team he was spotted by top amateur club, Clapton F.C. who signed him. He did really well and at the age of 21 Tottenham Hotspur came in for him and signed him. He made his ‘away debut’ against Sunderland F.C. and his ‘home debut’ at White Hart Lane against Manchester Utd in front of a crowd of 30,000. There was no problem on the pitch, he was a fantastic inside forward who was making his mark in pro football. It was from the terraces where the trouble came. The racial abuse that he was subjected to was both vicious and relentless. The Football Post newspaper along with the The Football Star newspaper both particularly emphasised how ‘Tull always remained professional and composed despite the intense provocation.’ 

Walter was eventually sold to Northampton Town F.C. for a substantial fee. He became a club hero there making 111 first team appearances. 

Tull’s football career came to an abrupt end when WW1 broke out. Walter Tull was one of the first professional footballers to enlist into the British Army. 

He fought extensively in the war, at one stage being sent home suffering from ’shell shock’ - what today would be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. 

He returned to the conflict and proved himself to be a brave and heroic soldier whose leadership skills soon got him noticed and against all odds he started to be promoted through the ranks eventually being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Officer on 30 May 1917. He was the first ever black officer to command white troops. 

His death in the spring of 1918 received little media attention at the time, and it is only in recent years that his powerful story has started to be fully recognised. At every stage of his life he had to overcome adversity and challenges - obstacles and hardships that he simply refused to let define him. 

Major Poole, the commanding officer of the 23rd Middlesex Regiment, along with 2nd Lt Pickard said Tull had been put forward for a Military Cross. Pickard wrote ‘Tull had certainly earned it.’ 

Walter Tull’s family are still waiting for that medal to be awarded. However, campaigners, including MPs and celebrities, such as the former Tottenham player and football pundit Garth Crooks, have petitioned the government to posthumously award Walter Tull the Military Cross for his heroism. The campaign is growing and ongoing with renewed calls for even the Prime Minister to intervene. 

And Walter Tull shouldn’t just be remembered and honoured for his military bravery but also for his football career; as well as his fortitude and strength in holding fast in the midst of such a barrage of racism that was hurled his way. 

And if this aspect of his life has been helpful in supporting and promoting the need to challenge inequality and discrimination - if it has provided some encouragement in this endeavour - our only hope is this will not diminish once the centenary of his death has passed. 

The Royal Mint is about to honour Tull by making him the first black officer in the British Army to be remembered on a special set of coins being released as part of the commemorations of the centenary of the end of the first world war. The coin, featuring a portrait of the officer with a backdrop of infantry soldiers going ’over the top’ will be one of a set of six £5 coins to remember the sacrifice made by so many during the war. 

Walter Tull was indeed an example to others while he was alive, and he still remains a role model for each and every one of us today one hundred years after his death.