Lynne Featherstone

In the build up to Remembrance Sunday, Haringey Liberal Democrats are supporting calls from local residents for a memorial to be built in Tottenham to honour war hero Walter Tull.

Tull lived an extraordinary life, becoming only the second black man to play professional football in Britain, when Tottenham Hotspur signed him in the summer of 1909. Tull went on to become the first black officer in the British Army in 1917 and spent much of World War I on the frontline, including taking part in the major Somme offensive of July 1916. He was killed in battle on the Western Front in 1918, at the tragically early age of 30.

Cllr David Winskill, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, commented:

“Walter Tull is clearly a figure of great historical note, being only the second black man to play professional football in Britain and the first black officer in the British Army. Bearing in mind Walter Tull’s strong connection to Tottenham Hotspur FC and the large Afro-Caribbean population in the borough, I believe it’s a great shame there is currently no memorial to a man who gave his life for his country and is clearly a great role model.

“I have written to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, to ask if any discussions have been held between Haringey Council and Tottenham Hotspur FC with regard to erecting such a memorial. I urge Cllr Basu to support a memorial to Walter Tull and do all he can to ensure such a memorial is erected.”

David Schmitz, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Tottenham said:

“As we approach Remembrance Sunday and are in the middle of Black History Month, this is the perfect time to call for a memorial to Walter Tull. Whether it be in the grounds of the White Hart Lane stadium or elsewhere in Tottenham, this would be a fitting tribute to a man who served his country with honour and paid the ultimate price.”