Tottenham Under-12s honor Walter Tull and Chelsea Pensioners in Premier League Christmas Truce Challenge
Youngsters from the Tottenham Hotspur Under 12 squad stepped away from the training pitch this month to learn about the people who served in World War One. As part of the Premier League Christmas Truce Challenge, the boys honored wartime medics, club pioneer Walter Tull, and the Chelsea pensioners.
Tottenham Hotspur Under 12 players visited the Royal Hospital Chelsea this month for the Premier League Christmas Truce Challenge. While there, the youngsters walked the grounds with Chelsea Pensioners and heard their stories of military service.
To say thank you, the boys presented a Special Commendation Award and a custom Spurs shirt. That gesture meant a lot to the veterans.
The Academy youngsters visited the National Army Museum to learn about wartime medics and former Spurs pioneer Walter Tull. [Image via Tottenham Hotspur] Every autumn around Remembrance Day, the league runs this project to teach Academy players about the Christmas Truce of 1914.
During that famous pause in World War One, soldiers from both sides stopped fighting along the trenches. For this year's project, the Spurs youngsters decided to shine a light on medical staff from both the war and the modern day.
Those doctors and nurses often go overlooked. That focus took the squad to the National Army Museum in London for a day of hands-on learning.
The boys joined Poppy and Medical workshops to see how field staff cared for wounded soldiers at the front. Along the way, they tried on old army uniforms and looked closely at medical kits from the era.
Seeing that equipment up close brought history to life for the group. Remembering club pioneer Walter Tull at the National Army Museum During their time at the museum, the youngsters also looked through archive records on former Spurs star Walter Tull.
Tull made history as the first Black outfield player in the Football League before losing his life in battle in 1918. Learning about former Lilywhites who served gave the boys a direct link to the past.