Lest We Forget
Wednesday 25th of April – Anzac Day – marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, a day that the nation commemorates our fallen soldiers who died fighting for our country as well as our freedom.
Football in NSW played a key role acting as a recruiting agent in securing its players to contribute to the war effort.
In 1916, 1200 of the 1500 players registered within the Metropolitan Association enlisted to fight for our country.
With over 75% of the players responding to the country’s call, the Metropolitan Association decided to suspend the competition for senior football for the duration of the war.
One courageous soldier and Pyrmont Football Club player Private Frederick Doodson, known to his mates as ‘Curly’, was the first Sydney football player killed in action in Gallipoli. He was only 19.
Following Doodson’s death a further six players from the Sydney District Club including Private A.P. Blackham, R. Rasell, W. Carlson, W. Wyber, W Wyber and the Herford brothers also lost their lives fighting for the country at the front in 1918.
Lest We Forget to the thousands of brave men and women who risked and gave up their lives serving this wonderful country of ours.
They will never be forgotten.
