Games of Remembrance 2018: The Generations Respect, Remember and Enjoy

06/12/2018  -  4.20

Alex Alexandrou and Louie Alexandrou

It was very last minute but we were able to take up an invitation from our Games of Remembrance colleagues to attend the British Army Women v German Armed Forces Women, match to be held on the 8^th November. This would be the first of two matches taking place on this day, with the other between the respective men’s teams taking place in the evening across the Trent at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest FC.

The game would take place at the oldest league club in the world – Notts County FC. This friendly community and family orientated club has fully embraced the project. It could not have wished for a better Autumn day with the sun shining and brightening our spirits as we made our way to Nottingham by train.

Meadow Lane is a short walk from Nottingham train station. As we approached the home of The Magpies the noise was getting louder but this was not your normal football crowd. This was because the Games of Remembrance organisers wanted to ensure this commemorative match had community at it is very being and heart. The organisers and the club had worked hard with local schools to ensure this would be the case.

As we walked into the outer perimeter of the ground, we were met with a crescendo of delighted squeals of enjoyment from hundreds of young pupils from local schools who were enjoying the Fan Zone provided by the 7^th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters East affectionally known as The Desert Rats. The zone had everything from a live music stage to many stands run by different corps, where children could learn more about British military life and equipment. We were treated to a great explanation of how a small unarmed drone can carry out important reconnaissance work that can mean the difference between having no or many casualties in an operation.

The young people from diverse backgrounds were excited to be around military personnel, talking to them and saluting anyone in a military uniform. For many of them, this would have been their first encounter with British military personnel. The positive, genuine engagement and synergy between the two groups was fascinating to observe from a neutral standpoint.

We were fortunate and privileged to be invited to one of the hospitality areas. This proved to be a fascinating learning experience for Louie. He was able to view the football kicked “over the top” at The Somme by Private AA Fursey of 6 Platoon, B Company of the 8^th Service Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment on 1^st July 1916. Louie was informed that although the company’s attack on Mountauban was one of the few successes on that fateful day, Private Fursey’s Commanding Officer, Captain Nevill and 19,000 others sacrificed their lives in that attack.

Next, he visited a stand set up by The Museum of the Mercian Regiment. Louie had a great conversation with the Museum’s Curator, Jennifer Brookman about the exploits and medals on show of William Henry Johnson of the 1/5^th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters and William Harold of the 1/6^th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment. Both were awarded the Victoria Cross in the Great War for acts of significant gallantry. The highlight for Louie, after being given special white gloves, was to handle and examine a Victoria Cross. A great experience for a budding military historian!

Before the match got underway, the teams and dignitaries were led out by Private Derby, the Regimental Ram Mascot of The Mercian Regiment. The military bands involved were The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals and The Band of the King’s Division. The national anthems of the two nations were played and were dutifully and genuinely respected by the crowd. There then followed the Act of Remembrance including the playing of The Last Post. This Act of Remembrance went beyond symbolism. Senior British and German military officers stood side by side along with three generations of the diverse local community

This was the most poignant part of the day. The silent remembrance by players, match officials, dignitaries and supporters, for those who served and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in the Great War, was sincere and impeccably observed.  

On to the match itself, the stadium and the pitch were in fine nick. It was amazing looking around this fine ground to see thousands of schoolchildren getting into the spirit of the occasion. The match ball and the Royal British Legion commemorative match coin were marched on to the field of play by Army and RAF cadets and formally presented to the match officials.

The match itself was similar to most matches played between these two nations at whatever level. The British Army team started off the brighter and displayed dogged determination and grit, personified by midfielder, Jessica Treharne. However, they were slowly but surely hauled in by the subtlety, efficiency and ingenuity of the Bundeswehr team with Alexandra De Lucia showing guile and style in the German midfield.

The dominance of the Bundeswehr Women paid dividends when a thunderous diagonal shot from the edge of the box from Sarah Begunk hit the back of the net to make it 1-0 in the 25^th minute.

As the 27^th minute of the match began, there was a minute’s applause by the crowd to honour and respect all those that tragically lost their lives in the Leicester City helicopter crash on the 27^th October.

Half-time arrived with the British team on the attack but still one goal down.

There were a number of half-time activities involving young people including a penalty competition and a World War One re-enactment parade by pupils of Carlton Junior Academy who looked suitably resplendent in their various Great War uniforms.

The second half got underway and German dominance continued. The score was kept respectable by the heroics of British goalkeeper, Jessica Horsley, who made a string of fine saves and blocks to thwart the Germans. However, the British defence was breached again in the 74^th minute by Sarah Begunk who stroked in her second goal of the match from inside the penalty box following another excellent save by Jessica Horsley.

The British then threw everything at the Germans and it seemed to no avail. However, in time added on, Olivia Dixon running on to a through pass, smashed in a shot from the edge of the box that was straight and true in the 91^st minute. This reduced the arrears and gave the young crowd something to shout about and celebrate. The British continued to press but the honours went to their German counterparts.

The match was played in a fine spirit, with Amy Fearn, the Referee, having a pleasant and uneventful match along with Assistant Referees Craig Jinks and Colin Alan and Fourth Official Andy Cuthbert.

Following the final whistle both teams did a lap of honour, showing their appreciation by applauding the crowd, particularly all the young supporters who had turned out in force to watch them.

There then followed a fitting finale to the early afternoon’s activities with a closing speech by Major General Mitch Mitchell, Chairman of the British Army FA, who praised the 100% commitment and sporting approach of both teams. It was then over to Kelly Smith MBE, the Arsenal and England legend who was tasked with choosing the player of the match. Although it may have been of scant consolation, she chose Jessica Horsely, the British goalkeeper. It was much deserved and no surprise to anyone who witnessed her heroics between the sticks.

The match officials and the players were then presented with their commemorative medals. Proceedings were brought to a fitting close by the British Army team captain, Kelly Aldridge who raised three cheers for Her Majesty, The Queen and the President of Germany.

The Games of Remembrance team must be commended for putting on such an important, vibrant event that will have a long-lasting impact on all the young people who were involved with it and attended both matches.

For more information about the project visit the project website at https://www.gamesofremembrance.com/ and on Twitter @GofR2018 and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GofR2018/

Biographical Information

Alex Alexandrou is the co-founder and convenor for the Football and War Network.

Louie Alexandrou is a budding military historian and student at Linslade Academy