KivoOwl Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) As we approach that time of year where we don our poppies in remembrance of those who gave their lives so we could live with the freedom we have today, I thought it'd be a good idea to give Wednesdayites a bit of information on those ex-players who sacrificed their lives for the great cause. JAMES MAXWELL Scotsman James Maxwell joined Wednesday from Kilmarnock in 1907 aged just 19. The nifty winger went straight into the fist team and scored his first goal for the club against Sheffield United a month after his debut. Competing with the great Harry Chapman for the right wing spot was always going to prove a tricky obstacle, and young Maxwell moved to Arsenal 14 months after arriving at Owlerton. He later moved back into Scottish football before answering the call to serve King and country during the Great War. Sadly, on 27th September 1915, he was killed in action while serving with the Royal Scots. He is remembered at Loos Memorial, on the outskirts of Lens. Commonwealth War Graces Commision entry – http://www.cwgc.org/.../MAXWELL, JAMES Find a Grave entry – http://www.findagrav...r&GRid=15350412 VIVIAN SIMPSON Vivian Simpson was very much one of the old breed on the football field. Born in Sheffield in 1883, Simpson joined the handful of amateur players playing in the professional league when he signed non-contract terms with Wednesday in 1900 – while still working as a solicitor during the week. Simpson was a talented forward who played merely for the love of the game. He scored 11 goals in 38 games for the club, including an FA Cup hat-trick in a 6-0 demolition of Manchester United at Owlerton. As an amateur he was eligible to play for Sheffield FC in the FA Amateur Cup, and won the competition in 1904. He signed up for the army and made captain. On 28th June 1917, Captain Simpson led his troops into the Cordorna Trench and engaged the Germans with hand to hand fighting. His bravery and organisation were rewarded with the Military Cross. His MC citation reads – 'On 28th of June 1917 Capt. Simpson played a leading part in the attack on Cordorna Trench. He had also been heavily involved in the planning for this attack. He was the first man into the enemy trench and was involved in hand to hand combat with the defenders. Later he brilliantly organised the consolidation and protection of the newly won position. London Gazette 17 September 1917' Captain Simpson was killed in action on 13th April 1918 and was buried at Outtersteene Cemetery, west of Lille, near the border with Belgium. Commonwealth War Graves Commision entry - http://www.cwgc.org/..., VIVIAN SUMNER Find a Grave entry - http://www.findagrav....6497048&df=all FINDLAY WEIR Scottish defender Findlay Weir arrived at Owlerton in May 1909 after impressing for his local youth side. Weir made 72 appearances in the blue and white stripes, scoring 1 goal, before moving south to join Tottenham Hotspur. He gave great service to the London side, and joined the Tottenham Royal Engineers on the outbreak of the war. He was killed in action in July 1918 and was repatriated to the UK, being buried at Lambhill Cemetery in Glasgow. Commonwealth War Graves Commision entry - http://www.cwgc.org/.../665537/WEIR, F Find a Grave entry - http://www.findagrav....8125169&df=all May they all rest in peace. Edited November 5, 2012 by KivoOwl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Tha dedicated, I'll gi thi that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darra Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 you never cease to amaze us Kivo the club should really employ you as an archivist/historian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KivoOwl Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 I found this newspaper article in the Sheffield Independent after news arrived back home of Captain Simpson's death - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KivoOwl Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 And of course there was James Monaghan, who for many years was also believed to have died in the Great War - but a couple of years ago some research following a thread on here unearthed an amazing story - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppers Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Brilliant topic. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ever the pessimist Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 RIP to all. Where there not some clubs whose entire teams were practically wiped out after all enlisting together and deployed alongside one another? Rings a bell one of the Lancastrian sides in particular (Accrington Stanley maybe?) was decimated during one day on the Somme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paulos_Medication Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Kivo I was pondering this exact question on my drive to work this morning. I was intending to ask you via owlstalk tonight then I saw you were already on the case. Impressive detail as always . Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weshallovercome Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 you never cease to amaze us Kivo the club should really employ you as an archivist/historian Couldn't agree more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunsbyowl Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great work Kivo - here's a few other bits on Simpson for your files! 1901 census 1911 Census Medal Roll Card Probate Record Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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