We Will Remember Them…

19/11/2024  -  1.01

Stephen Jenkins

As one would expect, the O’s Somme Memorial Fund was fully focussed to ensure the footballers who served in the Great War were commemorated at the time of Remembrance.

For a number of years, and whenever Leyton Orient had a home fixture on the weekend of Remembrance Sunday, the Club would hold a short ceremony on the pitch to remember the service and sacrifice of the Clapton Orient side that enlisted en masse into the 17th Middlesex – ‘The Footballers’ Battalion’, in the Great War. This season, the O’s were at home to Blackpool, which resulted in discussions and much planning to ensure a fitting tribute took place. 

The O’s Somme Memorial Fund actively liaised with both the Orient and the 17th Pals’ Battalion Band concerning the commemoration, which would not only include a pre-match ceremony, but also during the half time interval, when the 17th Pals’, along with several standard bearers and two huge banners held by Orient supporters, would parade around parameter of the pitch. As a mark of respect, OSMF Committee members, Alex Hup and myself, contacted the families of the three Clapton Orient footballers killed on the Somme; William Jonas, George Scott and Richard McFadden, inviting them to attend, which they gladly did. 

The pre-match commemoration commenced with the 17th Pals’ Buglers playing the ‘General Salute’ as they stood either side of the tunnel as the officials and players came out, followed by the cadets and standard bearers, and finally those carrying the banners, who all then moved into position on the pitch, after which wreaths were laid on the centre-circle by the owners of both clubs followed by a very moving tribute made by young Jack Routledge - who is a direct descendent of William Jonas, who brought onto the pitch a wreath he had personally made in remembrance of the three O’s players killed in 1916.  Upon completion of the laying of the wreaths, an announcement was then made requesting that everyone remained silent following the playing of Last Post by the buglers until the blowing of the whistle by the referee, which signified the end of the commemoration. 

The Minute's Silence. Source: Author's Collection

The bugle call was immaculate - as was the silence, with all the participants then leaving the pitch to much applause before the game commenced.

After the referee had blown his whistle for half-time, the 17th Pals’ and those carrying the two banners made their way onto the pitch, and after a short introduction on the PA, the parade commenced.

17th Pals' Buglers. Source: Author's Collection

The crowd showed its appreciation, which was very heart warming, particularly following the huge amount of practicing by the band in the weeks leading up to the match and also Alex Hup who had driven over from the Netherlands the morning of the game, along with his wife, step-daughter and a number of his Dutch O’s supporting friends - all of them involved with the carrying of one of the banners.

A great 3-0 win for the O’s finished off the day the best possible way.

However, the commemorations were not over, as the next day was Remembrance Sunday. The 17th Pals’, along with local dignitaries and representatives of various organisations, including the O’s Somme Memorial Fund and Leyton Orient, along with the emergency services and members of the public, attended St Mary’s Parish Church in Vicarage Road, Leyton, before parading along the High Road and into Coronation Gardens, for a remembrance service and commemoration at the War Memorial. 

The 17th Pals' Battalion Band Leading the Remembrance Day Parade. Author's Collection

Once assembled in Coronation Gardens, the ‘Last Post’ and two minutes ‘silence were followed by the ‘Rouse,’ after which a large number of wreaths and tributes were laid at the memorial – including the personal tribute from Jack Routledge that had been laid on the pitch at Leyton Orient the previous day.

Coronation Garden War Memorial. Author's Collection

One might think the Remembrance commemorations were over, but no, far from it – the O’s Somme Memorial Fund Committee, who are members of the Western Front Association, were invited to participate in the Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall the following day, Monday, 11th November – Armistice Day.

Fellow OSMF committee member, Malcolm McCarthy, myself and my wife Karon, assembled in King Charles Street, off Whitehall, in readiness, along with countless others, to march into Whitehall and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. 

Stephen Jenkins, Karon Jenkins and Malcolm McCarthy. Author's Collection

The media were present and gave excellent coverage resulting in many O’s supporters recognising the OSMF Committee at the Cenotaph as the wreaths were laid.

With the completion of the Armistice Day commemoration, there was one further event for the OSMF to undertake - a talk I gave the following day, to the lads of the Leyton Orient Academy U11/12s sides. My talk to the young O’s followed on from one I gave to the Spurs U11 Academy at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground in Cheshunt, only two weeks earlier. 

Stephen Jenkins Presenting to the Leyton Orient U11/12 Sides. Author's Collection

Lest We Forget

Biography

Stephen Jenkins was born in Walthamstow and has supported Leyton Orient since 1969. He is currently Deputy Chairman of Leyton Orient Supporters Club and is Chairman of the O’s Somme Memorial Fund. Along with the numerous successful projects undertaken by the O’s Somme Memorial Fund committee, Stephen was also thrilled to reunite the families of the three Orient lads killed on the Somme, of which he is so proud.