Broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste chooses Walter Tull as a history hero <\/p>
Walter Tull was a professional footballer and British Army officer of Afro-Caribbean descent. He played for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town, among other teams, and was only the third person with a mixed race heritage to play in the top flight of the English Football League. He later served as a second lieutenant in the First World War but was killed in action in 1918, aged just 29.<\/p>\n
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When I was asked to present a piece about him for The One Show in 2019 \u2013 the film marked an anniversary for the charity Action For Children. He lived in one of their children\u2019s homes after losing his parents.<\/p>\n
He was the son of a woman from Kent and a Barbadian carpenter, who himself was the son of a slave. By the age of nine he\u2019d lost both his parents \u2013 his mother died of cancer and his father from heart disease \u2013 and was placed in a Methodist children\u2019s home in London\u2019s East End. But besides having sharp survival instincts, which he would have needed, he clearly had a talent for football<\/a>. After being spotted playing for amateur side Clapton, he was signed by Tottenham and never looked back.<\/p>\n Firstly, his life story is a fascinating tale of resilience, pragmatism and, I think, pursuit of legitimacy, which is common for many people \u2013 myself included \u2013 who\u2019ve grown up in care. Secondly, his prowess as a footballer and his determination not to be deflected by the racist abuse he received from rival supporters. Lastly, his patriotism and the fact that he clearly loved his country, despite the challenges he\u2019d faced in life \u2013 hence his decision to enlist in 1914.<\/p>\n Firstly, carving out a career as one of Britain\u2019s first top-flight mixed race footballers, playing for Spurs and Northampton and signing for Rangers, despite suffering racist abuse. One newspaper even applauded him as \u201ca model for all white men who play football\u201d. This showed real strength of character, and he paved the way for non-white players in today\u2019s game.<\/p>\n Secondly, his bravery in the Great War. He led 26 men on a successful night raid and was recommended for a Military Cross after being killed in action in France.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t think of anything.<\/p>\n Yes. Besides our both being of mixed-race, I had a not dissimilar background: I was moved between four foster homes and a care home as a child, so I can relate to his fragmented sense of self and his search for a place in the world.<\/p>\n Having grown up in an orphanage, I\u2019d like to know what made him feel at home? What was his sense of home?<\/p>\n Ashley John-Baptiste has presented BBC TV shows including Expert Witness<\/em> and Stories of Us<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n This article was first published in the September 2023 issue of BBC History Magazine<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat made him a hero?<\/h3>\n
What was Tull\u2019s finest hour?<\/h3>\n
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Is there anything that you don\u2019t particularly admire about him?<\/h3>\n
Can you see any parallels between Tull\u2019s life and your own?<\/h3>\n
What would you ask him if you could meet him?<\/h3>\n