Western Front Archives

George Foard King

George Foard King, born in Midhurst, Sussex, United Kingdom in July 1895, was baptised on 16 Sep 1895 in Tillington, Sussex.

George was educated at Duncton School, Sussex and served with 1/1st Sussex Yeomanry during the Great War. George landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli with 1/1st and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant with the Norfolk Regiment on 18 September 1918.

After the war George worked as a farmer at South Dean Farm, Tillington, Sussex and passed away on 15 Jan 1942.

1/1st Sussex Yeomanry

The 1st Line regiment went to its war station at Canterbury (under Second Army of Central Force) until September 1915. It was dismounted and left Kent for Liverpool; on 24 September, it boarded RMS Olympic and sailed the next day. It arrived at Lemnos on 1 October. The regiment landed in Gallipoli on 8 October and was attached to the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. Within days of the landing the Regiment reported many men suffering from enteritis. While at Gallipoli they spent time in the trenches at Border Barricade and Fusilier Bluff. On 30 December it was evacuated to Mudros with 42nd … Read the rest

Willie Angus

Research

William Angus VC (28 February 1888 – 14 June 1959), also known as Willie Angus, was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Angus was born at Polkemmet Rows, Cappers, Armadale. After leaving school he was employed as a miner, but was able to find himself a place as a professional footballer at Carluke Rovers, before moving to Celtic, although he never played for the first team. Angus made two Scottish League appearances on loan to Vale of Leven in 1912. Released in 1914, he joined Wishaw Thistle, the club he was captaining when war was declared in August. As a member of local Territorial battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, he was mobilised immediately.

First World War

Early in 1915 his company, from 8th Bn HLI, was transferred to the 8th Royal Scots, the first Territorial battalion to join the Expeditionary Force. 8th Royal Scots had suffered a great many casualties and were in urgent need of replacements. He was serving as a lance-corporal in this battalion when the following deed took … Read the rest

Bernard William Vann

Research

Lieutenant Colonel Bernard William Vann, VC, MC & Bar (9 July 1887 – 3 October 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Vann was born on 9 July 1887 in Rushden, in Northamptonshire, where his parents, Alfred George Collins Vann and Hannah Elizabeth Vann were teachers. He attended Chichele College, Higham Ferrers, where his father was headmaster.

Vann was a keen footballer who played for amateur teams at Hugglescote United, Irthlingborough, and Northampton Town. During the 1906/1907 season, he played for Burton United, then a League club. He made five appearances that season and then joined Derby County, making the first of his three league appearances for the club on 23 March 1907. Later that year, he played for Leicester Fosse, playing in two non-league games for the club.

From 1907 to 1910, Vann was a student at Jesus College, Cambridge, reading History. While at the University of Cambridge, Bernard served in the Officers’ Training Corps as a sergeant. During this time, he played for Mansfield Wesley. In 1910, … Read the rest

Donald Simpson Bell

Research

Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell, VC (3 December 1890 – 10 July 1916) was an English school teacher and professional footballer. During World War I he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for actions during the Battle of the Somme in mid-1916.

Football

Bell was born on 3 December 1890 to Smith and Annie Bell, who resided in Queen’s Road, Harrogate. He attended St Peter’s Church of England Primary School and Harrogate Grammar School before going to Westminster College, London, to train as a teacher. A noted sportsman at college, he played as an amateur with Crystal Palace and later for Newcastle United. He returned to Harrogate and became a schoolteacher at Starbeck Council School (now Starbeck Primary School) and a member of the National Union of Teachers. To supplement his salary, in 1912 he signed professional forms with Bradford (Park Avenue). He played 6 games for the club as a defender or midfielder between 1912–14.

World War I

When World War I broke out, he became the first professional footballer to enlist into the British Army – joining the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and then commissioned into the 9th … Read the rest

Jack Woodhouse

Photographs

Smethwick, Staffordshire born right half Jack Woodhouse began his football career with Cheddleton Asylum and signed for Southern League club Brighton and Hove Albion in 1912, playing for them both sides of the First World War, featuring regularly in Brighton’s team during 1914-15, and by the time peacetime football was suspended in May 1915 he had scored 9 goals in 52 appearances for The Seagulls. During the War he fought with the 17th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), the so called Footballers’ Battalion, serving as a private.

After the War’s conclusion he returned to Brighton in 1919 and was a near ever present in their 1919-20 campaign which was their last in the Southern League, being called up to play for the FA XI on the tour of South Africa in 1920. When Brighton joined The Football League he made his League debut in their inaugural Third Division fixture at Southend United in August 1920. Indeed, he was ever present in the season and was the club’s only ever present player. He kept his place until 1923, when he was seemingly injured in the second game of the 1923-24 season and was forced … Read the rest

George Coomber

Photographs

West Hoathly, Sussex born centre half George Coomber began his football career with Tottenham Thursday in 1911 and had been on the books at Tottenham Hotspur before the First World War without ever playing in their first team, playing for amateur side Tufnell Park before signing as an amateur for Brighton & Hove Albion, then of the Southern League in 1913. He appeared intermittently in 1913-14, turned professional at the end of the season, and soon established himself in the side before peacetime football was suspended in May 1915.

During the War, he served in the Army and made guest appearances for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Watford. On resumption he returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, and made his Football League debut in their inaugural League match at Southend United in August 1920. He became club captain and made 183 appearances for Brighton over their first five seasons, scoring twice, being ever present in 1923-24 having missed only three matches in the previous two seasons, His last game came in October 1925 having started the first dozen matches of the season, when he suffered a career ending injury, having scored 5 goals in 243 appearances for Brighton … Read the rest

Arthur Freeman

Research

Arthur Freeman, son of Abraham & Louisa Freeman, husband of Alice Maud Freeman of 61 South Street, Braintree, Essex was born in Leyton, Essex in 1886

Athur went to France on 22nd August 1914 with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment and qualified for the Aug-Nov 1914 Clasp. The 2nd Battalion took over the firing line south of Pont Edal Farm railway crossing near Chapelle-d’Armentieres

Arthur was killed in action on 30th October 1914 and is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-d’Armentieres, France

Harry Lord

Research

Harry Lord came from Royton, near Oldham, Lancashire, now a part of Greater Manchester, and saw service during the Great War as a Private (No.5179) with the 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, and was present out on the Western Front from 15th July 1915 where his battalion formed part of the 74th Brigade in the 25th Division.

Harry was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the London Gazette for 29th August 1918, this being earned for the operations around Mount Kemmel in the Ypres Salient in April 1918. Mention of his being awarded the Military Medal is detailed in the Battalion War Diary on 15th May 1918, and it is possibly for action on the 25th April 1918.

John William Lewis

Research

John William Lewis came from Swinton, Lancashire, now a part of Greater Manchester, and saw service during the Great War as a Private later Sergeant (No.15125) with the 19th Service Battalion – 3rd Salford Pals – the Pioneers, Lancashire Fusiliers, and was present out on the Western Front with his battalion as part of the 96th Brigade in the 32nd Division from 23rd November 1915, and then as part of the 14th Brigade in the same division from January 1916. His battalion formed GHQ troops and converted to a pioneer battalion in late July 1916, but then saw service with the 14th Brigade in the 49th West Riding Division from early August 1916.

John was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the London Gazette for 28th January 1918, this being an award for his services during the Third Battle of Ypres between 8th and 11th November 1917. A copy of the recommendation exists which reads: ‘Military Medal for 8th to 11th October 1917, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest coolness and energy under heavy shellfire and by his skilful handling of … Read the rest

Frederick John Hickford

Research

Frederick John Hickford, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment was the son of Mrs A.Kemp of Clare Rd, Tilbury, Essex. Frederick fought in Gallipoli with the 5th Battalion and landed on ‘A’ Beach, Suvla Bay on 9th August 1915. He was wounded at Gallipoli on 17th August 1915 and subsequently transferred to the 10th Battalion.

Frederick was killed in action on 13th May 1917 and buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery, Somme, France. Frederick is also commemorated on the ‘Tenpenny Benefice’ Roll of Honour, Frating, Essex.