In conjunction with Remembrance Day MUFCINFO.COM looks back at the Manchester United players who lost their lives whilst serving their country.
Arthur Beadsworth |
 Sergeant 11677, Arthur Beadsworth lost his life on 09/10/1917 whilst serving in the 7th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment during WW1, Arthur's memorial is located in the Wimerueux Communal Cemetery.
Husband of Polly Beadsworth, of 44, Derby Rd., Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Born in Leicester in 1876 Arthur began his Manchester United career after he was transferred from Preston North End in October 1902, a forward he scored on his debut against Woolwich Arsenal in 1902.
Prior to that he played for Hinckley Town and Leicester Fosse.
His only league goal was the Gunners only blight on their record of that particular season.
Arthur played 12 times for the Reds, scoring twice his other goal was an FA Cup goal against Oswaldtwistle Rovers which United won 3-2.
Arthur was transferred to Swindon Town, 06/1903. |
Bernard Donaghy |
Private 2289, Bernard Donaghy lost his life on 01/07/1916 whilst serving in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st Bn during WW1, Bernard's memorial is located in the Thiepval Memorial.
Husband of Sarah Donaghey, of I, Fulton Place, Londonderry.
Born in Londonderry, Ireland, Bernard began his Manchester United career after he was transferred from Derry City in 1905.
Prior to United, he played for Derry Celtic, Glentoran.
Bernard played 3 times for United during the 1905-1906 season.
Bernard was transferred to Derry City, 08/1906, £ |
Hugh Kerr |
Private 515549, Hugh Kerr lost his life age 36 on 10/04/1918, whilst serving in the London Regiment (London Scottish) 14th Battalion during WW1, Hugh's memorial is located in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, (XXXIII. F.4.)
Son of William Stewart Kerr and Agnes Kerr, of Ayr; husband Or M. A. Kerr, of 10, Margaret St., Kensington, Adelaide, South Australia.
Born in Scotland in approx 1882 Hugh began United life after he was transferred from Ayr FC in January 1904, a Forward for the Reds Kerr made his debut against Blackpool in a 1-2 defeat.
Prior to United, he played for Westerlea and Ayr FC.
Hugh played 2 times for the Reds.
Hugh was transferred to ?, 05/1904. |
Oscar Linkson |
Private F/1723, Oscar Linkson lost his life on 08/08/1916, whilst serving in the 17th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment during WW1, Oscar's memorial is located in the Thiepval Memorial, France, (Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.)
Born in New Barnet in 1888 Oscar began United life after he was transferred from Pirates FC in July 1908, a full back for the Reds, Linkson made his debut against Nottingham Forest in a 2-2 draw.
Prior to United, he played for Barnet & Alston & the Pirates FC.
Oscar played 59 times for the Reds.
Oscar was transferred to Shelbourne, 08/1913. |
Stephen Preston |
Private 7217 Stephen Preston lost his life on 14/09/1916 age 42 years old, whilst serving in the 12th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the battle of Machukovo.
Stephen's memorial is located in the Dorian Memorial in Greece.
Born in Gorton, Manchester 11/1879.
Stephen is one of the few players to play for both Newton Heath & Manchester United.
His recruitment is a story in itself as he was spotted by club official Fred Palmer had exited the New Inn, Ancoats on a Sunday morning immediastyl spotting the local lad "excelling in a local park kick about" (info supplied by Newton Heath historian & author Charbel Boujaoude Husband of Catherine Preston, of 7, Cachcart St., Russel St., Ancoats, Manchester.
Stephen played 34 times in total for both Newton Heath & Manchester United. |
Alexander Turnbull |
Lance Sergeant 28427, Alexander Turnbull lost his life on 03/05/1917, whilst serving in the Eighth Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment in Arras, during WW1, Sandy's memorial is located in the Arras Memorial, France, (Bay 6).
Son of James and Jessie Turnbull, of I, Gibson St., Kilmarnock, Ayrshire;
husband of Florence Amy Turnbull, of 17, Portland Rd., Gorse Hill, Stretford, Manchester.
Perhaps the most famous of the "United soldiers", Turnbull's career was colorful to say the least with scandal & silverware through out, after being suspended from the game whilst at Manchester City, then United manager Ernest Mangnall acquired the services of Turnbull as well as Billy Meredith, Herbert Burgess, James Bannister.
Born in Hurlford, Scotland in 1884, Sandy began United life after he was acquired after being banned from the game from Manchester City in 05/1906, a prolific forward he scored 101 goals in his United career, his 1st on his debut in a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa at United's old ground Bank Street.
Prior to United he played for Hurlford Thistle & Manchester City.
Sandy played 247 times for the Reds, scoring 101 times, including the boy hood dream of millions, a winning goal in the FA Cup final of 1909against Bristol City which United won 1-0.
Sandy's contract was cancelled in 06/1915. |
Paschendale
Music by Adrian Smith, Words by Steve Harris from the Iron Maiden Album "Dance of Death"
In a foreign field he lay,
lonely soldier unknown grave
on his dying words he prays,
tell the world of Paschendale
Relive all that he's been through,
last communion of his soul
rust your bullets with his tears,
let me tell you 'bout his years
Laying low in a blood filled trench,
killing time 'til my very own death
on my face I can feel the falling rain,
never see my friends again
in the smoke, in the mud and lead,
smell of fear and feeling of dread
soon be time to go over the wall,
rapid fire and the end of us all
Whistles, shouts and more gun fire,
lifeless bodies hang on barbed wire
battlefield nothing but a bloody tomb,
be reunited with my dead friends soon
many soldiers eighteen years,
drown in mud, no more tears
surely a war no one can win,
killing time about to begin
Home, far away. From the war, a chance to live again
Home, far away. But the war, no chance to live again
The bodies of ours and our foes,
the sea of death it overflows
in no man's land God only knows,
into jaws of death we go...
Crucified as if on a cross,
allied troops, they mourn their loss
German war propaganda machine,
such before has never been seen
swear I heard the angels cry,
pray to God no more may die
so that people know the truth,
tell the tale of Paschendale
Cruelty has a human heart,
everyman does play his part
Terror of the men we kill,
the human heart is hungry still
I stand my ground for the very last time,
gun is ready as I stand in line
Nervous wait for the whistle to blow,
rush of blood and over we go...
Blood is falling like the rain,
its crimson cloak unveils again
The sound of guns can't hide their shame,
and so we die in Paschendale
Dodging shrapnel and barbed wire,
running straight at cannon fire
Running blind as I hold my breath,
say a prayer symphony of death
As we charge the enemy lines,
a burst of fire and we go down
I choke a cry but no one hears,
feel the blood go down my throat
Home, far away. From the war, a chance to live again
Home, far away. But the war, no chance to live again
Home, far away. From the war, a chance to live again
Home, far away. But the war, no chance to live again
See my spirit on the wind,
across the lines beyond the hill
Friend and foe will meet again,
those who died at Paschendale
Anthem for Doomed Youth
By: Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,-
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall
Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. |
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