Palace players fighting in WW2

[Clapham Grand]

According to the Guardian - Palace sent more players to WW2 than any other club. Makes for interesting reading:

FOOTBALL CLUBS CONTRIBUTING TO THE WAR EFFORT

"I was reading an old history book that claimed Crystal Palace sent more men to the second world war than any other English team," recalls Neil Bradley. "Is this really true?"

Indeed it is, Neil. According to Jack Rollin's excellent book, Soccer at War 1939-45 (Headline Book Publishing, 2005), a total of 98 men were dispatched from Palace to serve in the conflict, seven more than Wolves in second place. At the beginning of the war, Palace were playing in Division Three South, although in the following years, they took part in the South Regional League, the London League and the Football League South. For more information on Palace during the war years, check out this link to the club's official website.

Next up on the list were Liverpool with 76 men sent to serve, then Chester with 69, Luton (68), Huddersfield (65), Leicester (63), Charlton (62), Oldham (60) and Grimsby (58).

[LONDONMAN]

Originally posted by Clapham Grand
According to the Guardian - Palace sent more players to WW2 than any other club. Makes for interesting reading:

FOOTBALL CLUBS CONTRIBUTING TO THE WAR EFFORT

"I was reading an old history book that claimed Crystal Palace sent more men to the second world war than any other English team," recalls Neil Bradley. "Is this really true?"

Indeed it is, Neil. According to Jack Rollin's excellent book, Soccer at War 1939-45 (Headline Book Publishing, 2005), a total of 98 men were dispatched from Palace to serve in the conflict, seven more than Wolves in second place. At the beginning of the war, Palace were playing in Division Three South, although in the following years, they took part in the South Regional League, the London League and the Football League South. For more information on Palace during the war years, check out this link to the club's official website.

Next up on the list were Liverpool with 76 men sent to serve, then Chester with 69, Luton (68), Huddersfield (65), Leicester (63), Charlton (62), Oldham (60) and Grimsby (58).


It would be interesting to find out which Regiments the 98 "Palace Men" served in and what postings and battles they were involved in.

There were at least 9 Palace players that died in battle during World War One, most of them had played in dozens if not hundreds of CPFC's earliest matches.

There's the obvious connection with the East Surrey Regiment, which seems to have been the Regt for most people in the Croydon/Norwood area to join.

[BBD]

Fantastic stuff CG & LM.

Would Mr Russell care to shed any more light on the issue?

Are there any other < links > to the story...

[OldPeanutSeller]

98 players?!! How big was our wage bill??

Millwall got to the 1945 (?) war cup final and lost to Chelsea. Obviously, they were all conscientious objectors and had a full squad to pick from.

[BBD]

Originally posted by OldPeanutSeller
98 players?!! How big was our wage bill??

Millwall got to the 1945 (?) war cup final and lost to Chelsea. Obviously, they were all conscientious objectors and had a full squad to pick from.

:) ;) :lux:

or did they sneak some crack Nazi's through the docks.

98 is an unbelievable amount.

War also broke out when Palace as a Club were really on the up, finishing 2nd the season before with our second highest ever points return in Division 3 (South).

[Boyandy]

I did read about a sniper called Aylott who was relieved of his duties as he could never hit his target....

[Away Day Eagle]

Originally posted by Boyandy
I did read about a sniper called Aylott who was relieved of his duties as he could never hit his target....

:D

[PalaceFan@UGA]

Originally posted by Boyandy
I did read about a sniper called Aylott who was relieved of his duties as he could never hit his target....

not a striker then i hope

[ian king]

First of all 98 seems rather a large number (shame no list) given that at the start of the War the club probably had no more than 30-40 players registered with it. A few players were transferred during the wartime leagues but generally speaking players remained registered with the club they were with when the Football League was suspended (4th Sepetmber approx.) but were allowed to 'guest' for other clubs.

Palace players served their country in various ways in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Police (Met. and Military)/CivilDefence/Home Guard etc turning out for the club (and other clubs) when possible.

Few examples - Albert Dawes - Met. Police
Billy Bark - Army (in North Africa 1943)
Nick Collins - Navy - (on Convoy duty Feb. 1943)
Glyn Lewis - Royal Air Force
Bill Bassett - Welsh Guards and wounded in Italy

[Shipp Ahoy!]

Originally posted by OldPeanutSeller
98 players?!! How big was our wage bill?

Why do you think they sent so many of them to war ;)

[LONDONMAN]

Originally posted by ian king
First of all 98 seems rather a large number (shame no list) given that at the start of the War the club probably had no more than 30-40 players registered with it. the

One thing to bear in mind: Clubs used to keep players registrations long after they had retired from the game. I believe many of the "98" Palace men may have played in the early 1930's and gone on to other careers outside football but still were registered as CPFC players.

It's probably fair to say that some of the Palace contingent were not just players but Staff of CPFC (administrative and general office/ground staff) that makes the figure look so large.

[cad]

Originally posted by LONDONMAN
One thing to bear in mind: Clubs used to keep players registrations long after they had retired from the game. I believe many of the "98" Palace men may have played in the early 1930's and gone on to other careers outside football but still were registered as CPFC players.

It's probably fair to say that some of the Palace contingent were not just players but Staff of CPFC (administrative and general office/ground staff) that makes the figure look so large.

I doubt whether there was more than a handful of admin staff in those days. However, up until the late 60s Palace were also fielding "amateur XIs" against non-league opposition. Was this system also operating before WWII?

[Billyd]

we're rock hard thats why

[big bad John]

Originally posted by Shipp Ahoy!
Why do you think they sent so many of them to war ;)

Jim Cannon fodder

[Maidstoned Eagle]

One of the only ways Palace players will get to europe.