Sport Remembers the Battle of the Somme

It's 100 years on since the Battle of the Somme where sport was suspended as players and athletes helped the war effort

Battle of the Somme

Sport legends and associations, including Sir Nick Faldo, the R&A and the PGA, urge Britain to remember the fallen from the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago

The Royal British Legion is calling on the nation’s sporting organisations, associations, clubs, teams and individuals to commemorate the role played by sportsmen on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The campaign, called 'Sport Remembers the Somme 1916-2016', was officially launched at The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers headquarters, Tower of London by sporting legends across a plethora of sports including golf's former world number one and six time major winner Sir Nick Faldo.

Sport Remembers launches with the backing of both the The R&A and the PGA, as well as the ECB, British Rowing and Team GB via the British Olympic Association.

The Battle of the Somme, which ran from 01 July – 18 November 1916, was one of the most difficult and costly battles of the First World War.

Battle of the Somme

To help the war effort, virtually all professional sport had to be suspended for the duration by the time the Battle of the Somme began.

Athletes and players from sports at all levels had volunteered to enlist – sometimes en masse as an entire team and its supporters.

The Legion is encouraging professional and amateur sport to join in the commemoration of the service and sacrifice made by the nation’s sportsmen during the Battle of the Somme.

The Remembrance campaign will tell the stories of the sportspeople that gave up their lives for their country including champion golfers, boxers and athletes as well as international rugby players, footballers and cricketers.

The charity has produced 100 Sportsmen of the Somme stories – including the stories of 2nd Lt Alfred Edward Flaxman, an Olympic discus and javelin competitor from Yorkshire who could throw a grenade 75 yards and Captain Wilfred Percy Nevill from Twickenham who got his men to kick footballs across no man’s land to bolster their morale under withering fire.

Sir Nick Faldo MBE, former world golf number one and six times Major Championship winner, said, “The Royal British Sport Remembers effort recognises the athletes who made historic contributions to our nation through service or sacrifice at the Battle of the Somme and during the First World War. It is an honour to represent our sport in salute of the golfers and associated professionals who will forever be remembered for their contribution to our national history through ultimate service to our country.”

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The Royal British Legion’s Sport Remembers campaign is a fitting commemoration of the many sports people who served and, in many cases, lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme and in the First World War. Golf clubs throughout the country, along with every section of the community, felt the terrible losses of the War and the memorial in The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse in St Andrews attests to those members and staff of the Club who gave their lives in the service of their country. We owe a debt of gratitude for the sacrifice they made and it is entirely appropriate that golf comes together as a sport to remember and honour their memories.”

For more information visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV