Celtic F.C. and World War I

Many Celtic FC players fought in World War I. Seven former Celtic FC players died.

Background

In the early 20th Century Celtic FC was already a successful club having won 10 Scottish League Championships and 8 Scottish Cups in their 26 year history (by 1914). And although Celtic won trophies as well in the war (4 Scottish League Championship and 1 Scottish Cup), the excitement of football was not as intense as it was before the war, knowing that death was now possible on the battlefield as at home was not a comfortable feeling for the Celtic supporters. Of the brave and gallant 908,371 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died in the war, 7 were Celtic boys. They were Patrick Slavin, Leigh Richmond Roose, Donnie McLeod, Archie McMillan, Robert Craig, John McLaughlin and Peter Johnstone. These lads gave up their footballing careers to fight and die in the war.

The men who died

Roose and Slavin died in the Battle of the Somme(1916), 4 others died in 1917 and Craig died in 1918.

Leigh Roose

Leigh was a Welsh goalkeeper who was on loan at Celtic in 1910, he had a 24 caps for Wales and a Doctorate in Bacteriology before he joined the 9th Royal Fusilier in 1914. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal and was awarded the Military Medal before his death on 07/10/1916 around 1.45pm to 9.00pm in the Battle for Montauban. His regiment was sent to attack the enemy line, it is believed that he died of heavy machine gun fire and shelling when his regiment came under attack(he's recorded as missing on the Thiepval Memorial). On that day it is recorded 25 died,165 missing and 132 wounded.

Patrick Slavin

Patrick was the 2nd player to die while playing under Celtic. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was with the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots and died November 13, 1916 in the 2nd Battle for the village of Serre. The day he died it was reported that there was thick fog by 5am and that the enemy's barbed wire was not cut, he is reported to been shot dead after "going over the top", that day 23 died, 84 missing and 177 wounded.

John McLaughlin

McLaughlin's records are scant which may show that he never played a first team appearance for Celtic.However it is known that he played for Mossend Hibs and Renton. He held the rank of Private and was in the 11th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, he was injured on the 23/04/1917 when his battalion came under fire at the Battle of Cavalry Farm at Monchy Le Preux which is north of Arras. However he was did not survive his wounds and died on the 10/05/1917.

Peter Johnstone

Johnstone was a pre-war Celtic legend who had played for Celtic 223 times and was one of the players who won the league 6 times in a row with Maley. Peter joined the 6th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. He died on the 16/05/1917,when his regiment were told to capture a chemical factory as part of the Battle of Arras. In the 2 day battle it was reported 43 died,26 missing and 51 wounded,although he among the missing, rumours of his death were spread around Glasgow which were confirmed on 06/06/1917. His name is engraved on the Arras Memorial.

Archie McMillan

McMillan was an outside left who made his debut against Rangers in 1913. He held the rank of Private and was in the 1st/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. From 21 to 23 November of 1917, his regiment was involved in heavy fighting in the Battle of Cambrai. Their orders were to capture the village of Fontaine-Notre-Dame, Aisne and although they were successful he was shot dead and was among the 9 dead, 22 missing and 128 wounded. He is buried in a British war cemetery in Manancourt.

Donald McLeod

McLoed was a full back who played 155 times for Celtic from 1902-08. He was a Gunner and was part of the 466th Battery of the 65th Royal Field Artillery. It is known that he died of his injuries(06/10/1917) but of what caused them it is unknown.However it is most certain that he died in Belgium and was involved(or died) in the Battle of Passchendaele.

Robert Craig

Craig was the final former Celtic FC to die. His career lasted 3 years at Celtic from 1906-1909, he was a full-back and played 13 times for the club, he was a private in the 5th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers and died on 19/04/1918. He died of his wounds from 11/04/1918 when the enemy re-captured the town of Mesen in Belgium. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery which was a hospital cemetery back then.

Hero

However in all wars there will always be a hero, even in WWI in which more than 20 million people died and all hope seemed lost, there were heroes: one of these heroes was William Angus. He played for Celtic and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915. He was awarded this medal for his bravery and valour in saving Lt James Martin who was lying a few feet from the German line,however he lost an eye, damaged a foot and was wounded 40 time in the process.But when he came home he was given a hero's welcome and was always a guest of honour in major football matches.He also became the president of Carluke Rovers FC and held that position until his death.

Charity and fund

Although not everybody fought in the war, the people at home did what they can and in 1918, Celtic FC won the Navy and Army War Fund Shield. This was a friendly tournament that Celtic and a few other teams agreed to take part as a fundraising event to give money to footballers and their families who fought in the war.

ee also

*History of Celtic FC

External links

* [http://www.kerrydalestreet.com/page/Celtic+Football+Club+and+the+Great+War Kerry Dale Street]
* [http://www.forvalour.com/ For Valour]
* [http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/celtic.htm Hellfire Corner]