Walter Tull would have been a remarkable individual no matter when
he had been born, but to achieve what he did, during the time that
he did, makes him even more remarkable. He was an orphan at just
six years of age, and despite not wanting to, his step mother,
Clara, had no choice but to place him and his elder brother,
Edward, in to a children's home in the East End of London. As
neither Walter or Edward had ever travelled outside of Folkestone
before, the upheaval must have come as quite a shock. Two years
after entering the home, Walter and Edward were split up when
Edward was adopted and went to live in Glasgow. Walter's sporting
prowess saw him play for top local amateur side, Clapton Football
club, signing for them in 1908, but it was to be a short lived
affair, as by the following year he had signed as a professional
for the prestigious Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, making his
first team debut against Manchester United. In October 1911 Walter
was transferred to Northampton Town Football Club, where he would
go on to play over one hundred first team games, before the First
World War brought a premature end to his career as a professional
footballer. With the outbreak of war, Walter wasted no time
enlisting in the British Army, initially as a Private in the newly
formed 17th (Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Further
promotions followed and in no time at all he had reached the rank
of Sergeant. He was put forward for a commission and passed out as
a 2nd Lieutenant on 29 May 1917\. He went on to become the first
black officer in the British Army, to lead white troops in to
battle, and was fondly regarded by the men who served under him.
Walter was killed in action whilst leading his men in a counter
attack against German defensive positions on Monday 25 March 1918\.
He died a hero. He was well liked and respected by all who knew
him. Like many men of his generation his life was cut short for the
greater good whilst in the service of his country, so that others
might prevail.
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