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Douglas McClenaghan
1 Posted 05/10/2014 at 07:17:23
Very thought-provoking and well researched. Thanks.
Derek Thomas
2 Posted 05/10/2014 at 07:08:02

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.

MIke McLean
3 Posted 05/10/2014 at 07:52:11
Plenty of photographic evidence of the footy matches at Toc H HQ in Poperinghe and, if memory serves me right, a cople of original letters mentioning the games.
Teddy Draper
4 Posted 05/10/2014 at 11:02:12
Lest we not forget.
Harold Matthews
5 Posted 05/10/2014 at 10:55:21
Heartbreaking stuff Pete but much appreciated. Many thanks.
Joseph Terrence
7 Posted 05/10/2014 at 14:49:08
Great read, thanks Pete.
Pete Jones
8 Posted 05/10/2014 at 17:13:30
Mike, thanks for the tip about Toc H, it is years since I’ve been there; I was in Pop in June but didn’t drop in. There is a lot of interest in the truce as you might expect and as a result of your comment and feedback from the EFC Heritage Society I am hoping to pull the evidence together and write it up.
Dennis Stevens
9 Posted 06/10/2014 at 00:49:29
A hundred years on and the madness of war never seems to abate!
Paul Traill
10 Posted 06/10/2014 at 15:35:05
Brilliant read, thank you. I actually found 'Everton Hall' in Wellington, New Zealand about five years ago. The crest shape of Everton Hall is very similar to our crest shape. Was amazed when I saw it.

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

Trevor Lynes
11 Posted 06/10/2014 at 17:24:43
I am the son of a volunteer in the 20th Liverpool Pals. He was given a silver cap badge bearing the crest of Lord Derby (the Stanley family), the eagle and child.

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.

Alan Williams
12 Posted 07/10/2014 at 08:36:48
Outstanding and a very informative article. Well done to all that put it together. All families have terrible history of that war, as does the Everton family, "We will remember them." NSNO
John O'Brien
13 Posted 07/10/2014 at 12:28:59
I had the honor and privilege to visit Normandy, with my two brothers, as our father was part of D-Day. He survived, many perished but I'll be there with my team once again. Tear in my eye but proud. COYB
Gerry Quinn
14 Posted 07/10/2014 at 16:49:14
Fabulous article, Pete, thank you so much.

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?

Pete Jones
15 Posted 07/10/2014 at 20:41:10
Thanks for all your comments; they are much appreciated.

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.

Sean Wafer
16 Posted 08/10/2014 at 09:58:05
Wonderful stuff. Please keep articles of this nature coming, they would be a fantastic read with or without the Everton tilt. Superb!
Chris Hockenhull
17 Posted 08/10/2014 at 13:25:13
Wonderful read. A subject close to my heart. Thanks Pete
Eugene Ruane
18 Posted 08/10/2014 at 13:38:31
Fantastic piece, Peter.
Gerry Quinn
19 Posted 08/10/2014 at 22:02:05
Pete,
You mentioned the Kings Regiment, Liverpool. When my Mum passed away last year, my brother gave me all Dad's medals, etc. I actually wrote to the Kings and they put me in touch with the Para Regiment. Long story short - this was the site that a great lass called Wendy there, and myself, made up for my Dad (another great Evertonian who passed that "sacred chalice" on to me).

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...


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