Lest we forget

[B.whitehouse+10more]

Whilst I appreciate the attention, kind words, and well-wishes from the ladies of Homerton, could they please cease as I am very happily married to my sweetheart, Mary Jane’

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Clapton Orient striker, William Jonas, killed in Delville Wood on the Somme, France, 27th July 1916.

William joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, along with nine of his Clapton Orient team-mates, at a specially convened recruitment meeting at a packed Fulham Town Hall, on 15th December, 1914. In the ensuing months forty-one Orient players, staff, and supporters were to join up into the 17th Middlesex, which was to be more commonly known as ‘The Footballers’ Battalion’ - footballers from a number of other clubs also joined up.

The ever-popular Jonas, could play in a number of positions on the pitch - including goalkeeper, in fact, he played in every position except outside-left, but it was as centre-forward that he was to gain recognition at the Orient. Having been recommended to the Club by his former schoolboy pal and goal-ace Richard McFadden, they formed a deadly partnership, terrorising the opposition week in and week out, helping Clapton Orient to become a force in the second division as the O’s pushed for promotion prior to the outbreak of war.

Never one to give less than 100 percent, Jonas was sent off during an FA Cup tie at Millwall in January 1915 for fighting with the home goalkeeper Joseph Orme - an incident that started a riot among the 16,900 crowd that had to be quelled by police on horseback. Little did Jonas or Orme realise that rather than fighting each other, just sixteen months later they would find themselves side by side and shoulder to shoulder, fighting a fierce enemy.

Born in 1890 in Blyth, Northumberland, when he signed for the Orient, it was identified that William was 5’8” tall and weighed 11st 4lb. Prior to becoming a professional footballer, his first job after leaving school was at Cambois Colliery working as a coal miner. When turning his thoughts to football, his first club was Jarrow Croft FC, before joining Havannah Rovers having turned down a move to Barnsley. William signed for Clapton Orient in 1912.

His very good looks and dashing style of play lead him to become very popular with the O’s supporters and in particular the female admirers at Millfields Road, so much so that at one stage it was known he was receiving over fifty letters a week from the ladies of Homerton. Whilst very flattered, he felt he needed to make a statement in the Orient matchday programme to the effect that, whilst he appreciated the attention, kind words and good wishes could they please cease as he is very happily married to his sweetheart Mary Jane!

The Footballers’ Battalion participated in the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916 and was involved in some of the heaviest and bloodiest fighting of the war. It was whilst in Delville Wood (known as ‘Devils Wood’ to the troops), that William Jonas and his best friend Richard McFadden found themselves pinned down under constant heavy gunfire and shelling. It was during this onslaught that William gave up his life.

A shocked and battle-weary McFadden later sent a letter back to the O’s, in which he gave an emotional eyewitness account of William’s last moments –

‘I, Richard McFadden sadly report the death of my friend and O’s colleague William Jonas on the morning of Thursday 27th July, aged 26.

‘Both Willie and I were trapped in a trench near to the front in Somme, France.

‘Willie turned to me and said “Goodbye Mac,” ‘Best of luck, special love to my sweetheart Mary Jane and best regards to the lads at Orient’. Before I could reply to him, he was up and over. No sooner had he jumped up out of the trench, my best friend of nearly twenty years was killed before my eyes. Words cannot express my feelings at this time.

Yours, Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden.’

William Jonas’s body could not be retrieved and was lost to the elements. However, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

He is also commemorated, along with his O’s team-mates; Richard McFadden and George Scott on the Clapton Orient Memorial in the village of Flers.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

[Brigs]

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy son's sons

[Hoover Attack]

Some best friend. FFS McFadden.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Lest we have a chance to forget

[Stowaway]

Honestly, let it go. This is getting properly weird now.

[Hoover Attack]

Honestly, let it go. This is getting properly weird now.

Why do you hate this country so much?

[Rubex Kube]

Whilst I appreciate the attention, kind words, and well-wishes from the ladies of Homerton, could they please cease as I am very happily married to my sweetheart, Mary Jane’

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Clapton Orient striker, William Jonas, killed in Delville Wood on the Somme, France, 27th July 1916.

William joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, along with nine of his Clapton Orient team-mates, at a specially convened recruitment meeting at a packed Fulham Town Hall, on 15th December, 1914. In the ensuing months forty-one Orient players, staff, and supporters were to join up into the 17th Middlesex, which was to be more commonly known as ‘The Footballers’ Battalion’ - footballers from a number of other clubs also joined up.

The ever-popular Jonas, could play in a number of positions on the pitch - including goalkeeper, in fact, he played in every position except outside-left, but it was as centre-forward that he was to gain recognition at the Orient. Having been recommended to the Club by his former schoolboy pal and goal-ace Richard McFadden, they formed a deadly partnership, terrorising the opposition week in and week out, helping Clapton Orient to become a force in the second division as the O’s pushed for promotion prior to the outbreak of war.

Never one to give less than 100 percent, Jonas was sent off during an FA Cup tie at Millwall in January 1915 for fighting with the home goalkeeper Joseph Orme - an incident that started a riot among the 16,900 crowd that had to be quelled by police on horseback. Little did Jonas or Orme realise that rather than fighting each other, just sixteen months later they would find themselves side by side and shoulder to shoulder, fighting a fierce enemy.

Born in 1890 in Blyth, Northumberland, when he signed for the Orient, it was identified that William was 5’8” tall and weighed 11st 4lb. Prior to becoming a professional footballer, his first job after leaving school was at Cambois Colliery working as a coal miner. When turning his thoughts to football, his first club was Jarrow Croft FC, before joining Havannah Rovers having turned down a move to Barnsley. William signed for Clapton Orient in 1912.

His very good looks and dashing style of play lead him to become very popular with the O’s supporters and in particular the female admirers at Millfields Road, so much so that at one stage it was known he was receiving over fifty letters a week from the ladies of Homerton. Whilst very flattered, he felt he needed to make a statement in the Orient matchday programme to the effect that, whilst he appreciated the attention, kind words and good wishes could they please cease as he is very happily married to his sweetheart Mary Jane!

The Footballers’ Battalion participated in the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916 and was involved in some of the heaviest and bloodiest fighting of the war. It was whilst in Delville Wood (known as ‘Devils Wood’ to the troops), that William Jonas and his best friend Richard McFadden found themselves pinned down under constant heavy gunfire and shelling. It was during this onslaught that William gave up his life.

A shocked and battle-weary McFadden later sent a letter back to the O’s, in which he gave an emotional eyewitness account of William’s last moments –

‘I, Richard McFadden sadly report the death of my friend and O’s colleague William Jonas on the morning of Thursday 27th July, aged 26.

‘Both Willie and I were trapped in a trench near to the front in Somme, France.

‘Willie turned to me and said “Goodbye Mac,” ‘Best of luck, special love to my sweetheart Mary Jane and best regards to the lads at Orient’. Before I could reply to him, he was up and over. No sooner had he jumped up out of the trench, my best friend of nearly twenty years was killed before my eyes. Words cannot express my feelings at this time.

Yours, Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden.’

William Jonas’s body could not be retrieved and was lost to the elements. However, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

He is also commemorated, along with his O’s team-mates; Richard McFadden and George Scott on the Clapton Orient Memorial in the village of Flers.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Today is the 29th, 2 days late. Did you forget?

[Stowaway]

Honestly, let it go. This is getting properly weird now.

Why do you hate this country so much?

How long have you got?

[Hoover Attack]

Honestly, let it go. This is getting properly weird now.

Why do you hate this country so much?

How long have you got?

[B.whitehouse+10more]

Whilst I appreciate the attention, kind words, and well-wishes from the ladies of Homerton, could they please cease as I am very happily married to my sweetheart, Mary Jane’

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Clapton Orient striker, William Jonas, killed in Delville Wood on the Somme, France, 27th July 1916.

William joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, along with nine of his Clapton Orient team-mates, at a specially convened recruitment meeting at a packed Fulham Town Hall, on 15th December, 1914. In the ensuing months forty-one Orient players, staff, and supporters were to join up into the 17th Middlesex, which was to be more commonly known as ‘The Footballers’ Battalion’ - footballers from a number of other clubs also joined up.

The ever-popular Jonas, could play in a number of positions on the pitch - including goalkeeper, in fact, he played in every position except outside-left, but it was as centre-forward that he was to gain recognition at the Orient. Having been recommended to the Club by his former schoolboy pal and goal-ace Richard McFadden, they formed a deadly partnership, terrorising the opposition week in and week out, helping Clapton Orient to become a force in the second division as the O’s pushed for promotion prior to the outbreak of war.

Never one to give less than 100 percent, Jonas was sent off during an FA Cup tie at Millwall in January 1915 for fighting with the home goalkeeper Joseph Orme - an incident that started a riot among the 16,900 crowd that had to be quelled by police on horseback. Little did Jonas or Orme realise that rather than fighting each other, just sixteen months later they would find themselves side by side and shoulder to shoulder, fighting a fierce enemy.

Born in 1890 in Blyth, Northumberland, when he signed for the Orient, it was identified that William was 5’8” tall and weighed 11st 4lb. Prior to becoming a professional footballer, his first job after leaving school was at Cambois Colliery working as a coal miner. When turning his thoughts to football, his first club was Jarrow Croft FC, before joining Havannah Rovers having turned down a move to Barnsley. William signed for Clapton Orient in 1912.

His very good looks and dashing style of play lead him to become very popular with the O’s supporters and in particular the female admirers at Millfields Road, so much so that at one stage it was known he was receiving over fifty letters a week from the ladies of Homerton. Whilst very flattered, he felt he needed to make a statement in the Orient matchday programme to the effect that, whilst he appreciated the attention, kind words and good wishes could they please cease as he is very happily married to his sweetheart Mary Jane!

The Footballers’ Battalion participated in the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916 and was involved in some of the heaviest and bloodiest fighting of the war. It was whilst in Delville Wood (known as ‘Devils Wood’ to the troops), that William Jonas and his best friend Richard McFadden found themselves pinned down under constant heavy gunfire and shelling. It was during this onslaught that William gave up his life.

A shocked and battle-weary McFadden later sent a letter back to the O’s, in which he gave an emotional eyewitness account of William’s last moments –

‘I, Richard McFadden sadly report the death of my friend and O’s colleague William Jonas on the morning of Thursday 27th July, aged 26.

‘Both Willie and I were trapped in a trench near to the front in Somme, France.

‘Willie turned to me and said “Goodbye Mac,” ‘Best of luck, special love to my sweetheart Mary Jane and best regards to the lads at Orient’. Before I could reply to him, he was up and over. No sooner had he jumped up out of the trench, my best friend of nearly twenty years was killed before my eyes. Words cannot express my feelings at this time.

Yours, Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden.’

William Jonas’s body could not be retrieved and was lost to the elements. However, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

He is also commemorated, along with his O’s team-mates; Richard McFadden and George Scott on the Clapton Orient Memorial in the village of Flers.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Today is the 29th, 2 days late. Did you forget?

Was wondering who would make a joke of it , you didn’t disappoint.

[Rubex Kube]

Whilst I appreciate the attention, kind words, and well-wishes from the ladies of Homerton, could they please cease as I am very happily married to my sweetheart, Mary Jane’

Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Clapton Orient striker, William Jonas, killed in Delville Wood on the Somme, France, 27th July 1916.

William joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, along with nine of his Clapton Orient team-mates, at a specially convened recruitment meeting at a packed Fulham Town Hall, on 15th December, 1914. In the ensuing months forty-one Orient players, staff, and supporters were to join up into the 17th Middlesex, which was to be more commonly known as ‘The Footballers’ Battalion’ - footballers from a number of other clubs also joined up.

The ever-popular Jonas, could play in a number of positions on the pitch - including goalkeeper, in fact, he played in every position except outside-left, but it was as centre-forward that he was to gain recognition at the Orient. Having been recommended to the Club by his former schoolboy pal and goal-ace Richard McFadden, they formed a deadly partnership, terrorising the opposition week in and week out, helping Clapton Orient to become a force in the second division as the O’s pushed for promotion prior to the outbreak of war.

Never one to give less than 100 percent, Jonas was sent off during an FA Cup tie at Millwall in January 1915 for fighting with the home goalkeeper Joseph Orme - an incident that started a riot among the 16,900 crowd that had to be quelled by police on horseback. Little did Jonas or Orme realise that rather than fighting each other, just sixteen months later they would find themselves side by side and shoulder to shoulder, fighting a fierce enemy.

Born in 1890 in Blyth, Northumberland, when he signed for the Orient, it was identified that William was 5’8” tall and weighed 11st 4lb. Prior to becoming a professional footballer, his first job after leaving school was at Cambois Colliery working as a coal miner. When turning his thoughts to football, his first club was Jarrow Croft FC, before joining Havannah Rovers having turned down a move to Barnsley. William signed for Clapton Orient in 1912.

His very good looks and dashing style of play lead him to become very popular with the O’s supporters and in particular the female admirers at Millfields Road, so much so that at one stage it was known he was receiving over fifty letters a week from the ladies of Homerton. Whilst very flattered, he felt he needed to make a statement in the Orient matchday programme to the effect that, whilst he appreciated the attention, kind words and good wishes could they please cease as he is very happily married to his sweetheart Mary Jane!

The Footballers’ Battalion participated in the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916 and was involved in some of the heaviest and bloodiest fighting of the war. It was whilst in Delville Wood (known as ‘Devils Wood’ to the troops), that William Jonas and his best friend Richard McFadden found themselves pinned down under constant heavy gunfire and shelling. It was during this onslaught that William gave up his life.

A shocked and battle-weary McFadden later sent a letter back to the O’s, in which he gave an emotional eyewitness account of William’s last moments –

‘I, Richard McFadden sadly report the death of my friend and O’s colleague William Jonas on the morning of Thursday 27th July, aged 26.

‘Both Willie and I were trapped in a trench near to the front in Somme, France.

‘Willie turned to me and said “Goodbye Mac,” ‘Best of luck, special love to my sweetheart Mary Jane and best regards to the lads at Orient’. Before I could reply to him, he was up and over. No sooner had he jumped up out of the trench, my best friend of nearly twenty years was killed before my eyes. Words cannot express my feelings at this time.

Yours, Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden.’

William Jonas’s body could not be retrieved and was lost to the elements. However, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

He is also commemorated, along with his O’s team-mates; Richard McFadden and George Scott on the Clapton Orient Memorial in the village of Flers.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Today is the 29th, 2 days late. Did you forget?

Was wondering who would make a joke of it , you didn’t disappoint.

You keep setting them up, I'll keep nodding them in

[B.whitehouse+10more]

Today is the 29th, 2 days late. Did you forget?

Was wondering who would make a joke of it , you didn’t disappoint.

You keep setting them up, I'll keep nodding them in