Invitation to commemorate sportsmen killed on Somme
EXACTLY 100 years ago British soldiers were dying in huge numbers at the Battle of the Somme.
And, as sport had been suspended in the UK for the duration of the conflict, many sportsmen had enlisted and were among them.
Now the Royal British Legion is calling on the nation’s sporting clubs and individuals to commemorate the role played by sportsmen in the bloody battle, fought along a 15-mile front in northern France between July 1, 1916, and November 18, 1916.
It has produced a Sport Remembers the Somme toolkit for clubs wanting to host a commemorative event.
It has also compiled 100 stories of sportsmen who died on the battle fields.
They include the story of rugby player Horace Wyndham Thomas from Bridgend, who also played for Wales.
A vicar’s son, he was born in Bridgend on July 18, 1890, and, owing to his beautiful voice, won a scholarship to Cambridge University, where he studied history and sang in the King’s College Chapel.
He was called up twice for Wales at stand-off, playing against South Africa in Cardiff in 1912 and against England the following year.
He also played for Blackheath and the Barbarians.
His international career ended when he took a role in the mercantile service in Calcutta. He captained rugby side Calcutta FC, which in 1920 funded the silver for the Calcutta Cup, the trophy still played for every year in the England v Scotland Six Nations match.
In 1916, after three years in India, Thomas was commissioned into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant and he was killed at Guillemont on the Somme on September 3. The provost of King’s College wrote in tribute to Horace: “His whole career was one to be proud of. It was not only his voice; it was his bearing of gay modesty that won upon us, and ever since he kept his place in our hearts.”
Just before he died Horace wrote to a friend: “I am not afraid of death at all, I feel a clean conscience. My life has been a truly happy one, thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.”
His body was never found and his name is on the memorial at Thiepval.
Horace’s family’s war was typical of many: His sister Rosalind was a nurse, his brother John was also killed and his other brother Morgan won the MC.
Bridgend councillor David White said: “As a member of the Bridgend branch Royal British Legion committee I very much welcome commemorating the Battle of the Somme through sport and would urge local sporting groups and clubs to dedicate their sporting events on the weekend of September 17 and 18 in memory of those who fought at the Somme.
“For further details clubs can contact me on 01656 648191 or email: cllr.david.white@bridgend/gov.uk”
The Sport Remembers the Somme toolkit is available for free from www. britishlegion.org.uk/sportremembers