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Football grounds were well used by recruitment organisations but it was Clapton Orient, now Leyton Orient, which became the first English Football League team to join up on masse during World War One.

With professional football continuing despite the outbreak of war, clubs and players were a target for strong. They were described as unpatriotic, slackers and shirkers for failing to sign-up.

Forty one Clapton Orient players and staff joined up to the 17th (Football) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment following the outbreak of war. Their last game of the season was played on 24th April 1915. The day saw them not only win a 2-nil victory over Leicester Fosse but afterwards all the players and staff took part in a final farewell parade around the Millfields Road pitch.

At the Battle of the Somme, in July 1916, thirteen Orient players were wounded. Three were killed: William Jonas, George Scott and Richard McFadden.

A permanent memorial to those who died stands at Flers, on the Somme.

Location: Millfields Road, Clapton, London E5
Image: War recruitment poster aimed at footballers, courtesy of IWM

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