Walter Tull the Footballer
Walter Tull was born on the 28th April 1888 in Kent, his dad was from Barbados and his mum was British. Tull was orphaned as a child and sent to live in an orphanage with his brother Edward Warnock Tull.
When the First World War broke out in 1914 Tull was already a professional footballer, however he enlisted in the 17th (Service) Battalion Middlesex Regiment, known as the Footballers' Battalion, it was a unit comprised of athletes.
In 1908, at the start of his career Tull was signed to Clapton Football Club - a top London amateur side. Within a year he'd helped the club win three
major trophies. Tull was then signed by professional football team Tottenham Hotspur in 1909 - another London side. He became the second person of African descent to play in the top division of English football - he played ten first-team matches and scored twice.
He transferred to Northampton Town in 1911, where he played over hundred matches and became a fan favourite. Tull thrived under manager Herbert Chapman.
As mentioned, when war broke out in 1914 Walter enlisted. In 1917 he signed for the Scottish team Rangers football club becoming the first Mixed Race Black player to do so. On the 25th of March 1918 during the Second Battle of the Somme, Walter Tull was killed by enemy fire. His body was never recovered. Tull died just months before the Second World War ended. He was recommended for the Military Cross, one of the highest honours for bravery in combat. But the much-deserved recognition was not granted.