Tim recently compiled a book about Albion and the First World War. Published by the Albion Heritage Society, the work recounts the tales of Albion players and supporters that were involved in the Great War, along with a good deal of social history concerning the towns of Brighton and Hove.
Freddie Bates
Freddie grew up in an East End children’s home, joined the Army, and came to Brighton around 1910, finding work as Albion’s groundsman. He married, and became a father in July 1914. His bulldog, Rose, was the club’s lucky mascot.
After his hard upbringing, Freddie had settled nicely. But then war broke out, and as a reservist he was soon called up. From the Front, Freddie wrote: “I am in the best of health. … Time alone can tell what is in store for us.”
Freddie’s unit was involved in a fierce, five-day battle that left more than 20 of his comrades dead. He himself was wounded and removed to the French town of Béthune.
On 24th October 1914, around 4,000 fans saw Albion beat Southend United at the Goldstone Ground. None knew that, at the same time, the man responsible for the pitch was succumbing to his wounds just 125 miles away. He was buried in Béthune Town Cemetery.
Jack Thomas
Jack was not quite good enough to cut it as a pro with the Albion (1910-11) or Newcastle United (1911-12), but he had an extraordinary wartime career.
In April 1915 he was captured near Ypres, Belgium, and incarcerated in prison camps in the Ruhr area of Germany. Unlike captive officers, “other ranks” were set to work: labouring in agricultural fields, in coke yards, and in coal mines. It was very hard and the food rations were poor.
After a year as a prisoner, Jack escaped alongside four Frenchmen. They made their way by compass in the dark, and after three nights arrived in the neutral Netherlands. Repatriated to England, he was held under suspicion; but once he’d convinced the authorities that he was genuine Jack was given a new role – as a secret agent. Having learned to speak fluent French while a captive, he was enrolled in a fledgling Intelligence Corps and sent to France.
Working undercover in the docks at Le Havre and Dieppe, Jack discovered a German plot to blow up a British munitions ship. Having averted disaster, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. When the war ended, Jack returned to Sacriston, County Durham, to work in a local mine.
Carlo Campbell
Carlo got involved with the Albion during the Second World War when he helped save the club, but his First World War story is also worthy of note.
Fancying himself as a flier, Carlo trained as a pilot – and proved to be very good at it. Between May and July 1917, flying French biplanes, he shot down five enemy observation balloons, eleven planes, and drove another seven out of control. He dispersed German infantry columns while “at all times showing the utmost disregard of personal safety.”
For this fearless and stellar performance, Carlo received the Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross and Bar. His career as a fighter ace came to an end when he was shot in the thigh. Thereafter he suffered with nerves – what we would now call post traumatic stress disorder – but recovered. Carlo was a director of the club from 1940, and chairman from 1951. He passed away nine weeks before Albion finally won the Third Division South title in 1958 and promotion to the Second Division.
George Brown
George was an ordinary Albion fan, one of thousands who found himself fighting the enemy across the Channel.
Married with two children, George lived off London Road, earning his keep as a builder’s labourer; but in July 1916 he was called into the Army and went off to war. In March 1918 he was near Passchendaele, Belgium, when he was gassed.
With peace restored, George returned to his old job and enjoyed three months of good health, but then the effects of war took hold. His poisoned lungs developed tuberculosis – but he was still able to watch the Albion. On Saturday, 3rd January 1920, George made his way – slowly, no doubt – to the Goldstone Ground, perhaps using the tram to Old Shoreham Road. Standing on an open terrace, George watched as Albion attacked. A mix-up in the Brentford defence ended with Billy Miller firing into the north goal.
The excitement of that Albion goal proved too much, and his weakened body fell backwards where it stood. George was quite dead, and was buried in the war grave plot in Brighton City Cemetery, Bear Road.
More on these stories and many others connected with the club will be found in Brighton & Hove Albion and the First World War by club historian Tim Carder. The book is available exclusively from the Seagulls Superstore, from the Churchill Square temporary shop, or online here, price £14.99.