WALTER DANIEL JOHN TULL

Walter Daniel John Tull, was born 28 April, 1888 at Folkestone, Kent.  From 24 February, 1898, he lived at The Children’s Home and Orphanage in Bonner Road, Bethnal Green.
 
In 1908-09 Tull came to public prominence playing for Clapton FC: ‘catch of the season’ (Football Star, 20 March 1909). The following season he made his first team debut for Tottenham Hotspur in their inaugural game in the first division: ‘Tull is very good indeed’. (Daily Chronicle, 13 September 1909).
 
Walter had ‘much to contend against on account of his colour’ commented one contemporary, anonymous journalist. Yet,‘Tull is so clean in mind and method as to be a model for all white men who play football. Mysteriously, at the end of the following season he was transferred to Northampton Town, playing over 110 matches before enlisting in the Footballers Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, in December 1914.On 10 May, 1917, he was appointed…to a commission in the Special Reserve of Officers.

Not only was it virtually impossible for a man of colour to be commissioned an officer, the Manual of Military Law (1914) stated that ‘aliens [including Negroes must]... not...exercise any actual command or power’. 2nd Lieutenant Tull died at the second Battle of the Somme, 25 March, 1918. Decorated with the 1914-15 Star and British War and Victory medals, he was also recommended for a Military Cross for his ‘gallantry and coolness’ at Piave in Italy, January, 1918.

Images; (click to enlarge)

1. The Tull Family Home, Folkestone, 2. North Board School, Folkestone, 3. Orphanage football team photo, 4. Clapton F.C 1908-09, 5. Walter in Tottenham strip, 6. Tottenham 1910-11 7. Walter playing - Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United, 8. Daily Chronicle's report of Tull, 9. Northampton Town F.C 1913 10. Walter Tull – officer cadet, 11. Walter & Eddie, 12. Walter Tull by Colin Yates, 13. Walter as 2nd Lt, 14. William as sapper in Royal Engineers.