Walter Tull Racism and the First World War

Walter Tull: The Early years Walter Tull, the son of joiner, was born in Folkestone in April Walter's father, the son of a slave, had arrived from Barbados in 1876 and had married a girl from Kent. Over the next few years the couple had six children. In 1895, when Walter was seven, his mother died. Walter's father remarried but died two years later. The stepmother was unable to cope with all six children and Walter and his brother Edward were sent to an orphanage in Bethnal Green, London. After finishing his schooling Tull served an apprenticeship as a printer. Walter was a keen footballer and had a trial at Clapton, a East London amateur club. By the beginning of the season Tull was playing for the first-team.

Footballer Tull went on to play for a number of football clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur (being paid the top amount of £4 a week!) and Northampton Town. He received high praise for his football skills and his professionalism and character.

Tull: The Footballer Tull: The Soldier Tull was about to join Glasgow Rangers but in 1914 the war broke out and he like many other players joined the footballer’s battalion.

An uncommon leader Tull went to France and was quickly seen as a leader of men. He was promoted to Sergeant and then after the Battle of the Somme he was sent home will but he was recommended for a commission as a lieutenant!

A new step Tull made a big breakthrough. The army rules stated that officers had to be of European descent (white), but the army recognised his skills and waived this issue. He was sent to Italy to fight there and then later on he was posted back to France.

Italian Campaign This was an historic occasion because Tull was the first ever black officer in the British Army. He led his men at the Battle of Piave and was mentioned in dispatches for his "gallantry and coolness" under fire.

The Military Cross Tull was recommended for the Military Cross for leading a patrol into enemy territory, and getting all the men back alive. He was refused the award. To recognise his bravery would admit that the rule of no black officers was broken!

The Death of Tull On 25th March, 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Tull was ordered to lead his men on an attack on the German trenches at Favreuil. Soon after entering No Mans Land Tull was hit by a German bullet. Tull was such a popular officer that several of his men made valiant efforts under heavy fire from German machine-guns to bring him back to the British trenches. These efforts were in vain as Tull had died soon after being hit. Tull's body was never found.

Arguments Some historians are wanting Tull to be given his award for bravery as recognition for his bravery. However, others say that we should not look at correcting the wrongs of the past. What do you think?

Arguments Recently the Government has changed it’s mind over events in World War One. Men shot for cowardice when they were most likely ill from shell-shock (a mental condition) have had their ‘crimes’ removed from their records.

Task We are going to start a campaign. You need to write a letter to the Prime Minister asking for Walter Tull to be recognised for his bravery by giving him a posthumous Military Cross. Remember – one rule was broken to give him a commission as a lieutenant. Surely then he deserves the awards linked to that rank.