Who was Walter Tull? - BBC Bitesize

Watch: The life of Walter Tull

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Watch this animation for a short summary of Walter Tull's life and career.

Walter Tull was born in Kent in 1888.

Walter came from a mixed-race family. His mother, Alice, was from Kent. His father, Daniel, moved from Barbados to England. He married twice.

After Daniel's death in 1897, Walter's stepmother had to move Walter and his brother from the countryside to an orphanage in East London.

Image caption,
Walter discovered a love for football at an early age
While at the orphanage Walter played a range of sports, including football and cricket. He is pictured here with the orphanage football team. He would go on to play professionally for Tottenham Hotspur.
Image caption,
Walter played football for Tottenham Hotspur
After school Walter played for amateur team Clapton Football Club. He was good enough to join Tottenham Hotspur, one of London's top professional teams. (Image from an article by John Fennelly in Hotspur magazine.)
Image caption,
Walter moved to Northampton Town Football Club
Although people commented on his cool play and accurate passing, Walter lost his place at Tottenham. He moved to Northampton Town Football Club where he was successful, playing 110 matches during his time there.
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Walter joined the Football Battalion when the war began
Professional football was suspended until after the war was over. Walter and many other footballers decided to join the Football Battalion. A battalion was a main fighting unit with around 1,000 men.

Walter joined the Football Battalion and was quickly promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1916 Walter went back to England to train as an Officer.
He became the first black officer to lead soldiers on the front line.

In May 1917 Walter was commissioned to the rank of Officer.
On the 25th March 1918, Walter led soldiers in an attack on German trenches.
The German machine-guns opened fire and Walter was shot dead.
His body was not found.

Image caption,
Walter's name is on the Arras Memorial
The Arras Memorial in France commemorates around 35,000 servicemen who lost their lives between the spring of 1916 and the 7 August 1918, who had no known graves.
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Walter is remembered by his football clubs
Walter's life and career was celebrated in this article written by John Fennelly that appeared in the Tottenham Hotspur monthly magazine 'Hotspur'.
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A road in Northampton was named after Walter
A road leading to Northampton Town's football stadium was named after Walter because of his success and service to the team.