Doeberitz football team 1916

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Arrived overseas: various dates in 1914.

Connection: PoW postcard, Doeberitz.

I picked this photo up on eBay last week. It's difficult to read, but the names of the men appear on the notice that is balanced on the captain's feet. Two of the players are Belgian, but the rest are British, with at least four RMLI men, and others from different regiments. I've not identified all of them yet, but I'm pretty pleased with what I have found, particularly as I have a particular interest in men who became prisoners in 1914 - and all of the British men here fall into that category.  Here's who they are:

Back row:

8627 Sergeant Arthur White, 1st West Yorkshire Regiment

Gustave [Belgian]

Lootiens [Belgian]

9659 Michael Collins, 1st West Yorkshire Regiment

Giles, Royal Marine Light Infantry

 

Front row:

8357 Corporal M Tether, Royal Marine Light Infantry; captured Antwerp, 9 Oct 1914

9779 Private W Ryder, 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers; captured Guise, 27 Aug 1914

Howard, Suffolk Regiment

1138 Corporal Mark Joy, Royal Marine Light Infantry; captured Antwerp, 9 Oct 1914

14088 Corporal Oscar Uriah Spearing, Royal Marine Light Infantry; captured Antwerp, 9 Oct 1914    


Giles may be incorrect (back row), and there are more than one Suffolk Regiment men called Howard who were captured in 1914. But it's a start. I will publish more information on each of the identifiable men in due course.


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