Peter this puts all our angst over half a dozen dropped points into proper perspective.

Does the Society have any plans to mark the 100yrs Anniversary pre-game? Given their Red shirts and the Blue French remembrance flower, we could present them with a Red Poppy Tribute and they could give us the same back in Blue.

Fascinating read... thanks again for going to so much effort. You guys do a great job.

My Dad was severely wounded losing his knuckles on his left hand and some head and thigh wounds from shrapnel. He was taken prisoner and treated by the Germans before being exchanged through Switzerland and discharged in 1917.

I really enjoyed your article as it was a piece of history my father never spoke of to us. I know that Noel Chevasse who was the son of the Archbishop of the Anglican Cathedral was with us during these terrible years and won TWO Victoria Crosses for his work as a doctor rescuing wounded men in clear view of the Germans; subsequently he was killed. Ironically the medical orderly who helped him during those rescues was a German prisoner.

Great to read your words which show how much attention to detail and research you have made.

Recently I did a bit of research myself regarding poppies - brought about because I couldn't understand why Remembrance Day and poppies was not a big thing here in the USA (they have Veterans Day in November, which is a "thank you for serving" only).

Their Memorial Day, held in May, is when they remember their dead, so I looked into it a bit deeper and found out that the use of Poppies was actually started here in the US by a Moina Michael from Georgia, and then taken back to France where it obviously grew into a worldwide sign of respect.

It's strange that we never see the poppy here in Houston - is it the same up north, or can you buy poppies in the lead up to Memorial Day?

Trevor, by coincidence Harry Ross' dad lost a thumb and Billy Kirsopp who played a big part in Everton's championship in 1914-15 lost a finger in the war. I know exactly what you mean about the veterans not talking about their experiences; it is a very common theme. As for Chavasse I share your admiration. I have been to his grave twice and know the fields at Guillemont and Wieltje where he won his VCs. I also think of him at Bellewaarde where he won the Millitary Cross in 1915.

Gerry, I have a friend from Milwaukee who is a student of the Great War (and an honourary blue) so I will ask about poppies and Memorial Day. We visited most of the graves and memorials for the fallen of the Everton Football Clubs of Walton, Vina Del Mar and Auckland two years ago and left little cards with blue cornflowers and the club crests. You can just see one in the picture of Wilf Toman's headstone. Much as I love poppies (my garden is full of them), a blue cornflower seems appropriate for our boys.

http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/brian-g-quinn

As kids we used to ask him all the time, but my Dad never ever talked about the war, even though he collected every medal dished out in WW2, but for one - the Burma Star.

However, after a drink of Whiskey in him, he did always tell the story of how his younger brother was a chef in Burma, and did more damage to the Allied forces than to the Japs!!!

Miss him so much, even after 31 years now.

Lesson to you all - you don't know what you've got till its gone...