After hearing that the Shrouds of the Somme were going to be on display next to their new home at the London Stadium, West Ham offered their support and soon became official Shrouds of the Somme project partners. This Saturday the Hammers will be hosting a Remembrance Match against Burnley in honour of players and fans who served in World War One.
Several of West Ham’s former players were killed at the Somme and the team’s supporters formed their own Battalion, known as the West Ham Pals, who were part of the Essex Regiment.
One West Ham player and eight former players were killed in action during World War One.
West Ham player Arthur Stallard served in the 14th Battalion (London Scottish) of the London Regiment and was killed in action in 1917. He was born in Hackney and joined West Ham in 1913. Arthur fell at the Battle of Cambrai on 30 November, his body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing.
Arthur’s teammates Herbert Ashton, Dan Bailey, Frank Burton, Jimmy Carr, George Hilsdon, Syd Puddefoot, George Speak, Jack Tresadern, Joe Webster and Percy Wright survived the war but some received life-changing injuries. Star forward George Hilsdon endured a mustard gas attack, which damaged his lungs so badly that he was unable to continue as a professional footballer.
Several former West Ham players also fought in WW1. Frank Cannon, Frank Costello, Fred Griffiths, Sidney Hammond, William Jones, William Kennedy, William Kirby and Robert Whiting were all killed in action. Fred Harrison was so badly gassed that he could not play football again.
Find out more at https://www.shroudsofthesomme.com/blog/the-west-ham-pals-and-west-ham-players-in-ww1/