In his meticulously researched work "Fallen: Volume One—1914–1916," Llew Walker brings to life the poignant stories of the footballers from the Corinthian and Casuals Football Clubs who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. This hardcover book, published in October 2024, stands as a testament to what was described as the greatest casualty rate of any football club in the First World War.
The timing of this book couldn't be more appropriate. The Corinthian Football Club, established in 1882, was one of the world's most famous football clubs, despite never competing in league championships. Their legacy was built on principles of amateurism and sportsmanship, making the sacrifice of their players during WWI all the more profound.
Walker's narrative weaves together the stories of men from diverse backgrounds—doctors, farmers, barristers, and merchants—who answered the call to serve. The book particularly resonates in its portrayal of these individuals not just as casualties of war but as multifaceted sportsmen who represented the pinnacle of amateur athletics in their era. The author's decision to focus on the period of 1914–1916 in this first volume allows for deep, personal exploration of each fallen player's story. The narrative takes readers to the haunting battlefields of Flanders, France, Gallipoli, Ypres, Loos, the Somme, and Passchendaele, where these sportsmen faced challenges far removed from the football pitch.
Walker's credentials as a researcher and contributor to the "Brothers in Football" documentary and author of other significant works on football history, including biographies of Andrew Watson and the foundational figure behind the Corinthian Football Club, lend considerable authority to this work. His attention to detail and commitment to preserving these stories is evident throughout the text.
The book serves as more than just a historical record; it's a powerful reminder of how the club never fully recovered from losing twenty-two players during the war.
Corinthians History.
Walker's work ensures that these men's sacrifices are not forgotten, particularly poignant given that many have no known graves.
"Fallen: Volume One" is an essential addition to both sports history and World War I literature. It successfully bridges the gap between athletic achievement and wartime sacrifice, reminding us that behind every name on a memorial lies a story of someone who chose to serve their country over personal glory. The promise of future volumes suggests this will become a definitive work on the subject, preserving these crucial stories for future generations.
This meticulously researched book serves as both a memorial and a celebration of lives lived with purpose and ended in sacrifice. It's recommended not just for sports historians and football enthusiasts but for anyone interested in understanding the human cost of the Great War through the lens of one of Britain's most prestigious amateur sporting institutions.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Publisher: IndependentlyPublished: October 31, 2024Price: £20.00Hardback: 460 pagesISBN-13 : 979-8871022436Dimensions: 152 x 228 (mm)
