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Sportsmen on the Somme - “The flower of Scotland falls"

In the latest of our series focusing on the 110th anniversary of the Battle of The Somme, our Partnerships Manager and Hearts fan Donna shares the story of the historical connections of her club and its contribution to the efforts of the First World War.

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The story of Heart of Midlothian and the ‘Sports Battalion’

Tourists and visitors arriving into Edinburgh via the Haymarket Station could easily miss the famous ashlar obelisk standing proudly outside the Haymarket Bar. Gifted by Edinburgh Council in 1922, its significance to the history of Heart of Midlothian Football Club, and other Scottish football clubs, will never go unnoticed by those who know the story of the 16^th Battalion of the Royal Scots. Many will know it simply as ‘McCrae’s Battalion’ an ode to the leader Sir George McCrae and creator of Edinburgh’s first new Army Battalion.

As a Hearts fan, I’ve always felt it was important to learn the club’s history. Where and how it all started, who were our most famous players, our biggest achievements and disappointments. Tales of the ‘Terrible Trio’, the 1956 Scottish Cup winning team, the disastrous 1986 league loss at Dens Park are prevalent in the talking points amongst Hearts fans young and old but we must go back to an earlier time to reflect on perhaps the most defining era of our football club. A story I only properly recognised and understood after going to see the wonderful production, ‘A War of Two Halves’ during the Edinburgh Festival a few years ago.

I’ve had the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Haymarket Memorial in the past but as a young person I didn’t fully appreciate why. I knew that some Hearts players had died during the war but which war? How many players? Did all teams send their players to war? The play filled those information gaps for me and told the story so beautifully and poignantly.

For those who don’t know, our story began with a larger-than-life character called Sir George McCrae. A former local politician turned Army recruiter, he volunteered for active service and turned his attentions to recruiting men to go to battle with him. And his target? Footballers. Heart of Midlothian footballers to be more specific because at the time they were regarded as the best in the country. Characterised by their quick movement, passing, and intelligent thinking he thought they would make excellent soldiers. ‘YOUNG MEN OF EDINBURGH! YOU ARE WANTED!’ was the call.

His persuasive recruitment campaign resulted in a total of 1347 volunteers signing up including 11 Heart of Midlothian players (5 had been turned down for medical reasons). At the time Hearts were leaders of the Scottish League and news of the players’ actions caused a nation-wide sensation. They were soon joined by professionals from Raith Rovers, Dunfermline and Falkirk, hundreds of Hearts supporters and many other sportsmen and fans, inspired by their heroes to fight for their country. McCrae’s Battalion or the ‘Sporting Battalion’ was born and in January 1916 they were sent to France.

On the morning of 1 July, the sportsmen climbed out of their trenches and advanced towards the German line. It was the first day of the Battle of the Somme where the battalion suffered high casualty rates; the loss of 12 officers and 573 men accounted for more than three quarters of its attacking strength.

Seven Hearts players gave their lives in the war and others (like Alfie Briggs) were physically and mentally traumatised after they returned from active service. The club’s Roll of Honour is a sobering document: (taken from mccraesbattaliontrust.org.uk)

McCrae’s Battalion

James Boyd		Killed in action, 3 August 1916.
Alfred Briggs		Wounded in action, 1 July 1916; discharged invalid.
Patrick Crossan		Wounded in action twice; gassed; discharged invalid.
Duncan Currie		Killed in action, 1 July 1916.
Ernest Ellis		Killed in action, 1 July 1916.
Norman Findlay		Discharged to trade, September 1916.
James Frew		Transferred to 1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) RGA.
Thomas Gracie		Died on service, 23 October 1915
James Hazeldean		Wounded in action, 1 July 1916; discharged invalid.
James Low		Commissioned 6th Seaforth Highlanders; wounded in action twice.
Edward McGuire		Wounded in action, 1 July 1916; discharged invalid.
Annan Ness		Twice wounded; commissioned 16th RS; Lt 9th RS.
Robert Preston		Transferred to HLI; wounded in action.
Henry Wattie		Killed in action, 1 July 1916.
William Wilson		Transferred 13th RS; returned to 16th RS; wounded in action.

Quoted from LondonHearts.co.uk, letters between players and John McCartney, their manager, detail what happened.

“Teddy McGuire [inside forward] was struck in the arm by flying shrapnel. As he fell, a machine gun round grazed his head. Ernie Ellis [midfield] and Jimmy Hawthorn [midfield, retired] went down in front of the wire. Jimmy Hazeldean [youth team] took a bullet in the thigh. Annan Ness [full back] saw Duncan Currie [left back] hit in the right shoulder. He also noticed Harry Wattie [forward] fall. Crossan [right back] was racing forward ... when a shell exploded in front of them.’’

Remembering the fallen

A few years ago, Hearts supporters rallied together to fund a monument in the Picardy village of Contalmaison, which marked the furthest point of the battalion’s advance. Now, a 14-foot high Scottish cairn made of Elgin granite stands there as a lasting memorial to the sportsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Fans can also pay their respects at Tynecastle Park, where a solitary soldier lies between the Wheatfield and Roseburn Stands. A reminder of the true sacrifice our players made.

References

Banner image, Kilmarnock v, Heart of Midlothian, (Gallaher 1928)

Opening of Haymarket War Memorial, from: mccraesbattaliontrust.org.uk

Regimental colour and cap badge of the Royal Scots (Players 1910)

Cap badge of the Royal Scots showing Somme battle honour (Gallaher 1939)