|
Post by yenilira on Oct 24, 2011 11:49:12 GMT 1
A while back, one of our colleagues (Sher) posted an article about likeable films and books, and, whilst reading the "Sunday Post" yesterday, an item which caught my eye was about footballers who had fought in the World Wars.
The tome in question was titled "Aye Ready Rangers War Heroes", written by the son of a former Glasgow Rangers and Scotland idol, Davie Smith.
This book profiled the stories of some of the club's war veterans _ Walter Tull (Somme), Jimmy Spiers (Passchendale), Willie Thornton (MM in Sicily), Bobby Brown (Fleet Air Arm), and Harold Davis (Korea), amongst others, who fought side-by-side on battlefields with men who had cheered them from the terraces.
It got me to thinking: Have Blackpool FC got a similar book, or books, and who fought in 'those green hills far away', especially with the wartime connection Blackpool (Airport) has?
The only one I can think of is (Sir) Stanley Matthews, who joined the RAF but I'm sure that he didn't serve overseas, though no doubt there are many others.
Can you just imagine the likes of Wayne Rooney, Baps, or Ally McCoist heaving their knapsack onto their shoulder and picking up their SLR?
YL.
|
|
|
Post by whitstabletangerin on Oct 24, 2011 12:20:31 GMT 1
Stan Mortensen RAF, I think even survived a crash in a bomber.
As for today, most would fail the medical, excused boots they used to call it.
|
|
|
Post by whitstabletangerin on Oct 25, 2011 12:27:57 GMT 1
Yeni, any others to add to Morty and Matthews? re the war years.
|
|
|
Post by Tangerine Sherlock on Oct 25, 2011 12:43:07 GMT 1
I will have a search yeni and see what i can find out, could take a few days lol
|
|
|
Post by Tangerine Sherlock on Oct 25, 2011 15:39:59 GMT 1
Here you go yeni after a quick look he are a few probably a lot more but i will save them for a quiet day lol
Willie Buchan PT instructor in the Royal Air Force
Eric Hayward stationed with the Army in India.
Harry Johnston served in the Middle East
Jock Dodds joined the Royal Air Force, and was stationed in Blackpool as a PT instructor
Stan Mortensen wireless operator and overcame an injury – sustained when his RAF bomber crashed
Sir Stanley Matthews Royal Air Force, and was based just outside Blackpool
Ernie Taylor naval submariner
|
|
|
Post by yeoldetangerine on Oct 25, 2011 16:26:16 GMT 1
|
|