CROSSING THE WHITE LINE

2nd Lieutenant Tull in his Officer uniform, during in his training at Gailes OTC. Phil Vasili/Finlayson Family Collection

During his military training Walter was promoted three times. In November 1914, as Lance Sergeant he was sent to Les Ciseaux in France. He was positioned very close to the front lines, so close that he would have easily heard the great guns booming in the distance as he lay in bed at night. In May, 1915 Walter was sent home with acute mania, now called post traumatic stress disorder.

Returning to France in September 1916 Walter fought in the last months of the Battle of the Somme, between October and November, 1916. This battle saw some 420,000 British troops killed in just 4 months. His courage and soldiering abilities encouraged his superior officers to recommend him as an officer. On 26 December, 1916, Walter went back to England on Leave and to train as an officer.

After spending six weeks with family and friends, on 6 February, 1917, Walter presented himself at Number 10 Officer Cadet Battalion, Gailes, Scotland. This was despite military regulations forbidding those who were not of 'Non- European descent' from becoming officers. Walter received his commission as an officer 30 May, 1917, in spite of the fact that it was technically illegal. The military's colour bar didn't change until the Second World War.

Walter 2nd Lieutenant Tull relaxing with his brother Edward and sister Cecilia in Scotland. The lady on the left is believed to be Edward's adopted mother. Phil Vasili/Finlayson Family Collection

2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull was sent to the Italian Front and became the first black officer in the British Army to command white troops. He twice led his Company across the River Piave on a raid and both times brought all of his troops back safely with out a single casualty. He was mentioned in Despatches for his 'gallantry and coolness' under fire by Major General Sir Sydney Lawford, his commanding officer. He was recommended for the Military Cross but never received it.

After their time in Italy, Walter's Battalion was transferred to the terrible Somme Valley in France. On March 21, 1918, the Germans made one last desperate effort to win World War One. Walter Tull was a 29 year old 2nd Lieutenant in the 23^rd (2^nd Football Battalion) Middlesex Regiment, when he found himself in the British trenches facing advancing Germans.

On 25 March, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Tull was killed by machine gun fire near Favreuil aerodrome trying to help his men retreat. Several of his men including, Leicester goalkeeper, Private Tom Billingham, attempted to retrieve his body under heavy fire but were unsuccessful due to the enemy soldiers advance. Their brave actions are a testament to Walter Tull's character and leadership qualities. Walter's body was never found and he is one of thousands of soldiers from World War One who have no known grave.

Having no known grave, his name is inscribed on Bay 7, Arras Memorial, Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. In 1999 Walter Tull's former club, Northampton Town, erected a memorial outside of Sixfields Stadium, naming the road to the stadium "Walter Tull Way". In 1921 Walter's family in Dover ensured that his name was inscribed on the Parish Memorial at River, and in 1924 on the Dover Town Memorial.

2nd Lieutenant Tull. Phil Vasili/Finlayson Family Collection

On the left is page 108 from the Manual of Military Law, which clearly states that,

"Commissions in the Special Reserve of Officers are given to qualified candidates who are born or naturalised British subjects of pure European descent"

Despite the army's own regulations, Walter Tull became Britain's first black army Officer.

Phil Vasili

If you would like to vote as to whether Walter Tull should or should not be awarded his Military Cross posthumously, click here

The learning resources may be duplicated for educational purposes ONLY.