The Sandbag Times Remembrance Special

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REMEMBERING THE BRITISH ARMY Walter Tull in known to be the first Black British Officer. His story is one of determination, courage and superb leadership. The SBT is proud to pay tribute to this inspirational soldier. Walter Tull was born in Folkestone on 28th April 1888. His father Daniel Tull, the son of a slave had arrived in Britain from Barbados in 1976 and found work as a carpenter. Daniel Tull married Alice Elizabeth Palmer. Over the next few years the couple had six children. In 1895, when Walter Tull was seven, his mother died of cancer. A year later his father married Alice’s cousin, Clara Palmer. She gave birth to a daughter Miriam, on 11th September 1897. Three months later Daniel died from heart disease. alter wals an exeptional football player which eventually led to turning professional playing for Bristol City, Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town. However, it was common place for his to be on the recieving end of much racial taunting and abuse. When the First World War broke out in 1914, he became the first Northampton player to sign up to join the 17th (1st Football) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, and in November 1915 his battalion arrived in France. The Army soon recognised Tull’s leadership qualities and he was quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was initially billeted at Les Ciseaux, 16 miles from the front line. He had still not seen action when he wrote a letter to Edward Tull-Warnock in January 1916: “For the last three weeks my Battalion has been resting some miles distant from the firing line but we are now going up to the trenches for a month or so. Afterwards we shall begin to think about coming home on leave. It is a very monotonous life out here when one is supposed to be resting and most of the boys prefer the excitement of the trenches.” In July 1916, Tull took part in the major Somme offensive. Tull survived this experience but in December 1916 he developed trench fever and was sent home to England to recover. Tull had impressed his senior officers who recommended that he should be considered for further promotion. When he recovered from his illness, instead of being sent back to France, he went to the officer training school at Gailes in Scotland. Despite military regulations forbidding “any negro or person of colour” being an officer, Tull received his commission in May, 1917. This was a really big deal because according to The Manual of Military Law, Black soldiers of any rank were not desirable. During the First World War, military chiefs of staff, with government approval, argued that White soldiers would not accept orders issued by men of colour and on no account should Black soldiers serve on the front line. Lieutenant 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. He led his men at the Battle of Piave and was mentioned in dispatches for his “gallantry and coolness” under fire. Tull stayed in Italy until 1918 when he was transferred to France to take part in the attempt to break through the German lines on the Western Front. 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. Tull 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. One of the soldiers who tried to rescue him later told his commanding officer that Tull was “killed instantaneously with a bullet through his head.” Tull’s body was never found. On 17th April 1918, Lieutenant Pickard wrote to Walter’s brother and said: “Being at present in command (the captain was wounded) – allow me to say how popular he was throughout the Battalion. He was brave and conscientious; he had been recommended for the Military Cross, and had certainly earned it, the Commanding Officer had every confidence in him, and he was liked by the men. Now he has paid the supreme sacrifice; the Battalion and Company have lost a faithful officer; personally I have lost a friend. Can I say more, except that I hope that those who remain may be true and faithful as he.” Walter Tull was awarded the British War and Victory Medal and recommended for a Military Cross. His family never received the Military Cross however, as the Ministry of Defence has claimed that there is no record of the Military Cross recommendation in Tull’s service files at the National Archives. Walter’s brother Edward Tull-Warnock campaigned for the Military Cross up until his death on 3 December 1950. In 2014 former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Garth Crooks joined the campaign to see Walter Tull recognised for service to his country. | 12 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk
THE TOMMY ATKINS TRUST The Tommy Atkins Centre... Here at The Tommy Atkins Centre Marie and I are putting our heads together and have some great plans for services and events to be linked with us. We’re both eager to meet any veterans who’d like to call in for a chat any Tuesday and Thursday 0900-1530 where a warm welcome awaits you along with a cuppa and a slice of Pablo’s home baked cake. We’re here for you if you just want a bit of a chat, or you need a bit of advice on any issues you may be facing. Great news also, not only are The British Legion going to be joining us here with a pop in centre, probably early in the new year, we’ve also just had a meeting also with Combat Stress, and in the very near future they will be holding a community outreach service, along with some group workshops for veterans, and eventually a peer mentoring service all within our centre. We have also invited SSAFA to come and take a look around, and are very hopeful they will also link up with us to offer services to our veterans from here. For any veterans in crisis we can offer a qualified psychotherapist within 48 hrs notice should the need arise, and all local veterans are encouraged to pop in when we’re open to see if we can offer any help or support or even just for a natter. We have computer facilities which you are welcome to use, and we can assist those who need help if required. 12th November is our official opening launch at 1330 when Matt Neal will be here to cut the ribbon and officially open the centre for business, followed by our charity auction at The Chestnut pub in Worcester where we hope to raise a lot of money for our Aspie charity from whom we rent our centre. Your support is very welcome at both events. Marie and I will keep you updated on all our services available to veterans as we implement them, and we’re both eager to meet up with you all. Jane x www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 13 |
Page 1: The Veterans’ Magazine Issue 37 |
Page 4 and 5: NEWS THE VETERANS’ MAGAZINE SBT N
Page 6: SBT News Special For The Fallen - M
Page 9 and 10: The Historical Tommy Atkins Written
Page 11: Remembering The Royal Navy Bell pla
Page 15 and 16: REMEMBRING THE ROYAL AIR FORCE bomb
Page 17 and 18: poshoriginalart.co.uk
Page 19 and 20: HAVE FAITH Be Bold, Be Strong... So
Page 21 and 22: TO ORDER PLEASE CALL: 01226 734222
Page 23 and 24: Veterans Breakfast Clubs GLOUCESTER
Page 25 and 26: Veterans Breakfast Clubs BARKERS BR
Page 27 and 28: SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: Informa
Page 29 and 30: ...For your tomorrow, we gave our t
Page 31 and 32: Poetry Corner Win This Fantastic Ti

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