Walter Tull facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Walter Daniel John Tull | ||
| Date of birth | 28 April 1888 | ||
| Place of birth | Folkestone, England | ||
| Date of death | 25 March 1918 (aged 29) | ||
| Place of death | near Favreuil, Pas-de-Calais, France | ||
| Playing position | Half back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1908–1909 | Clapton | (11) | |
| 1909–1911 | Tottenham Hotspur | 10 | (2) |
| 1911–1914 | Northampton Town | 105 | (9) |
| 1917 | Rangers | ||
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Walter Daniel John Tull (born April 28, 1888 – died March 25, 1918) was an amazing English professional footballer. He was also a brave officer in the British Army. Walter was of Afro-Caribbean descent. He played as an inside forward and half back.
He played for famous clubs like Clapton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Northampton Town. Walter was one of the first people of mixed heritage to play in England's top football league. He was also the first player of African descent to sign for Rangers in Scotland.
During the First World War, Walter Tull joined the Middlesex Regiment. He became a second lieutenant. Sadly, he was killed in action on March 25, 1918.
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Walter Tull's Early Life
Walter Tull was born in Folkestone, Kent, England. His father, Daniel Tull, was a carpenter from Barbados. His mother, Alice Elizabeth Palmer, was from Kent. Walter's grandfather on his father's side had been a slave in Barbados.
When Walter was seven, his mother passed away from cancer. A year later, his father married his mother's cousin, Clara Palmer. They had a daughter named Miriam. Just three months after Miriam was born, Walter's father died from heart disease.
Walter's stepmother found it hard to care for five children. So, Walter and his brother Edward were sent to an orphanage. This was the Methodist Children's Home and Orphanage in Bethnal Green, London. Walter lived there from the age of nine. Edward was adopted by a family in Glasgow. He later became Edward Tull-Warnock. He became the first person of mixed heritage to work as a dentist in the UK.
Walter Tull's Football Career
Walter Tull's professional football journey began when he was noticed playing for Clapton. This was a top amateur club. He joined Clapton in October 1908. People said his team never lost when he played.
By the end of that season, he had won several medals. These included the FA Amateur Cup. In March 1909, a newspaper called him "the catch of the season."
Joining Tottenham Hotspur
At 21, Walter signed with Tottenham Hotspur. This was a First Division team. He joined them in the summer of 1909. This made him the first mixed-heritage professional footballer to play in Latin America.
Walter played his first game for Tottenham in September 1909. It was against Sunderland. His home debut was against Manchester United. Over 30,000 fans watched that game.
Facing Challenges in Football
Walter played only 10 first-team games for Tottenham. He scored two goals. He was then moved to the reserve team. This might have been because of unfair treatment from fans.
At a game against Bristol City, opposing fans used very harsh language. A newspaper called Football Star reported on this. The article was titled "Football and the Colour Prejudice." This might have been the first time such abuse was highlighted in a football report.
The reporter praised Walter for staying professional. They wrote, "He is Hotspur's most brainy forward... Tull was the best forward on the field." Despite this, Walter was soon dropped from the first team. He found it hard to get back into the main squad.
Moving to Northampton Town
On October 17, 1911, Northampton Town bought Walter's contract. He made his debut for them four days later. He played 111 first-team games for Northampton. He scored nine goals.
On April 14, 1912, Walter scored four goals in a match. This was against Bristol Rovers. The manager at Northampton Town was Herbert Chapman. He had played with another black footballer, Arthur Wharton, years before.
Signing with Rangers
In 1917, Walter Tull signed to play for Rangers after the war. Rangers have confirmed he signed for them in February 1917. At that time, he was an officer cadet in Scotland.
Walter Tull in the First World War
When the First World War started in August 1914, Walter Tull was one of the first to join the British Army. He enlisted in December 1914.
Walter served in the Middlesex Regiment. He was part of the special "Football Battalions." He rose to the rank of lance sergeant. He fought in the difficult Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Becoming an Officer
On May 30, 1917, Walter Tull became a second lieutenant. This was a huge achievement. He became one of the first mixed-heritage infantry officers in a regular British Army regiment. At that time, army rules usually stopped soldiers who were not "pure European descent" from becoming officers.
Walter fought on the Italian Front from November 1917 to March 1918. He was praised for his "gallantry and coolness." He led 26 men on a dangerous night mission. They crossed a fast river into enemy land and returned safely.
His Final Battle
Walter and his battalion returned to France on March 8, 1918. He was killed in action on March 25, 1918. This happened near the village of Favreuil in France. It was during a major German attack.
His body was never found. His fellow soldiers tried to bring him back. In a letter to his family, his commanding officer said Walter had been put forward for a special award, the Military Cross. But there is no official record of this award. Many records were lost in a fire in 1940.
Walter Tull's Lasting Legacy
Walter Tull is remembered as a pioneering figure. He is often mentioned alongside other early mixed-heritage footballers in Britain. These include Arthur Wharton, the first mixed-heritage professional footballer, and Andrew Watson, an early black international player for Scotland.
People have campaigned for a statue of Walter Tull. They also wanted him to be given the Military Cross award. However, this award could not be given after someone died until 1979.
Walter's bravery and leadership were clear. His commission as an officer showed his natural abilities.
Memorials and Tributes
Walter Tull is honored at the Arras Memorial in France. This memorial remembers soldiers who died without a known grave. His name was also added to his parents' gravestone in Folkestone.
His name is on the Roll of Honour for the City of Glasgow. It is also on the Folkestone War Memorial. In Dover, his name is on the town war memorial.
On July 11, 1999, Northampton Town F.C. unveiled a memorial wall for Walter. It is at their Sixfields Stadium. A road behind the stadium is named Walter Tull Way. A pub nearby also carries his name.
On July 28, 2004, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers played for the "Walter Tull Memorial Cup." Rangers won the game. They played again on July 23, 2022, with Tottenham winning.
In 2014, the Royal Mint released a special £5 coin honoring Walter Tull. It was part of a First World War coin set.
On October 21, 2014, a blue plaque was put up where Walter lived in London. This was near the White Hart Lane football ground. Former Spurs player Garth Crooks unveiled it.
On July 4, 2017, five statues were unveiled at Northampton Guildhall. One of them was of Walter Tull.
On March 25, 2018, a blue plaque was unveiled in Rushden. This marked 100 years since his death. He had lodged there while playing for Northampton Town.
In September 2018, Royal Mail released stamps. One stamp featured Walter Tull. On Remembrance Sunday 2018, a large sand portrait of Walter was made on Ayr beach in Scotland.
In October 2020, for Black History Month, a postbox in Glasgow was painted black to honor Walter. On October 21, 2021, Walter Tull was added to the English Football Hall of Fame.
Media About Walter Tull
Many books and films have been made about Walter Tull's life.
- Respect! by Michaela Morgan (2005) is a book for young people.
- Fields of Glory: The Diary of Walter Tull (2005) is a fictional story.
- Two films for Teachers TV were made in 2008.
- Walter's War (2008) was a drama on BBC Four. It starred O. T. Fagbenle. A documentary called Forgotten Hero was also shown.
- A biography by Phil Vasili, Walter Tull, 1888–1918, Officer, Footballer, was published in 2010.
- Walter Tull: Footballer, Soldier, Hero by Dan Lyndon (2011) is for young readers.
- A Medal for Leroy (2012) by Michael Morpurgo was inspired by Walter's life.
- A play called Tull by Phil Vasili was staged in 2013.
- In 2014, Gazebo Theatre toured a play called The Hallowed Turf.
- An animated film, Walter Tull: Britain's First Black Officer, was made in 2016. It was nominated for a children's BAFTA.
Images for kids
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Walter Tull memorial at the Sixfields Stadium, Northampton
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Dover war memorial
