The National Army Museum will host a new exhibition exploring the black and asian contribution to the First World War. It will open in October 2008 to mark Black History Month. The exhibition plans to showcase the life of the first black British Army combat officer Walter Tull, and it is hoped will feature unseen objects loaned by his family to illustrate Tull’s remarkable life and legacy.
Tull rose from humble beginnings in an orphanage in Bethnal Green to become an acclaimed footballer for Tottenham Hotspurs and Northampton Town, before joining the army at the onset of the First World War.
‘Walter Tull is a significant figure in the history of the British Army,’ said museum representative Jo Woolley, ‘- both as a remarkable soldier, and the first black combat officer. We hope this exhibition will not only support Black History Month but communicate this important story in the longer term, as part of our permanent displays.’
Spurs player Tull enlisted in the footballers’ battalions during the First World War and fought at the Battle of the Somme. In 1917 he became a Second Lieutenant and was recommended for the Military Cross for bringing his men back unharmed from a raiding party. He was killed in March 1918 in Northern France. His body was never recovered.
A series of workshops based on Tull’s life and achievements and aimed at schoolchildren has been developed by Westminster City Archives and participating students will have the opportunity to see their work featured within the exhibition.
Peter Daniel, of Westminster City Archives, said: ‘Our key objective is to bring Walter Tull’s story to the wider community.’ -- www.national-army-museum.ac.uk
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
