Download here: The Fallen booklet
WWI and WW2 Remembrance Booklet
(Written by Mike Royden & Peter Jones)
November 2021 Update to the booklet
William Reid/Reed (Everton FC WWII list) We have deleted the name of Lance Corporal William Reid. We cannot be sure at the moment that this is the right ID, as further research suggests he possibly survived as a PoW.
Harry Churchill (Everton NZ list) Harry Churchill’s name has now been removed as it is now believed we have identified the wrong man. His initials were H G S, the footballer’s initial was W. – there are mentions of a W. Churchill still playing (prolific centre forward of the 2nd XI), and as an administrator, so it is thought this is the same man.
Private Edwin Cantell (Everton NZ list) He has now joined his older brother Arnold on the roll. He died during the 3rd Ypres attacks toward the village of Passchendaele. There are several team announcements in the NZ papers showing E.Cantell as the goalkeeper of the Everton 3rd or 4th teams. This preserves the eight Everton Auckland men who were killed, as mentioned in the New Zealand Herald on 8th September 1919.
Research into the Fallen of Everton FC
A great deal of research has been carried out by a number of members since the founding of the society, into players on Everton FC books who fell in both wars. This research has also been extended to include the Everton clubs of Chile and New Zealand.
A booklet was produced to include a roll of honour for all three clubs, with brief biographies of the players. Copies are no longer available, but a digital PDF can be downloaded here.
In 2011 a plaque in memory of men associated with the Everton clubs of England and Chile who lost their lives in both World Wars was erected near the Park End stand. This was the culmination of two years research by David France, John Rowlands, John Shearon Billy Smith, and Paul Wharton of the EFC Heritage Society who unearthed the names of seven footballers associated with both clubs. In fact, two plaques were erected, one at Everton and an identical copy in Chile, which were sponsored by the Everton Shareholders Association, in association with Dr David France and his wife, Elizabeth.
Since that time, members of EFC Heritage Society have continued the research to see if there are more servicemen who should be honoured in a similar manner. Several more men have been discovered and are included in this booklet. Furthermore, another Everton club has come to light, founded by ex-patriot fans in New Zealand, and a number from there also fought and died in the First World War. Work on this continues and will be made public in the future, but their names are listed within.
Overall, many of the names are unfamiliar. As footballers, some were international stars, others were youngsters with immense potential. As servicemen, they gave their lives fighting for our freedom. While we owe a debt to these fallen heroes that we can never repay, we can honour their sacrifice. These memorials will allow the supporters in both countries to pay their respects to the Fallen Evertonians who lost their lives during military service.
As a consequence of this further research, it is clear that several names need to be added to Memorial Plaque. In fact, another fallen player on the books of Everton FC has been discovered in 2021. Work is in hand to address this issue.
The booklet is only a brief record of what the society holds regarding these players who lost their lives, and much more is also known about a number of men who survived both conflicts. It is hoped that in the future a more substantial publication can be produced about all players of Everton FC who served in both wars.
Everton FC Heritage Society, in conjunction with Everton FC, hold an annual Remembrance Service on 11 November (or the nearest suitable date) in the area facing the Memorial Plaque, where the public are welcome to attend.
Original memorial plaque research by David France, John Rowlands, John Shearon, Billy Smith and Paul Wharton.
Further research by Peter Jones, David France, Mike Royden, Tony Wainwright, Billy Smith, Kjell Hanssen, JP Levinge and Jamie Yates.
Many thanks to the families of men listed on the Roll of Honour
who have provided photographs and permission to reproduce them.
Booklet compiled and written by Mike Royden and Peter Jones
Design – Thomas Regan, Toffee Art
Gents, approximately 8/9 years ago I bought to the society’s attention that of Alfred Pennington who had played for Everton in the 39/40 war season but who was killed whilst serving in the RAF. I was assured that a new commemorative plaque was to be commissioned one a definitive list had been completed. Yet today NO new names have been added nor a new plaque installed. Any particular reason for this, can our club not afford one????? I spent some time trying to research Alfred the best i could for the one reason which was for his niece to see her uncles name on a war memorial as the only one he is on is in Malta. I am not sure if she is still alive or not but feel she has been badly let down by the club. I am not sure who the plaque is the responsibility of but feel this is truly a poor show from all concerned. Please pass these comments on to those that this is a concern off. Cheers and the toffees
Mr Molloy, Whilst I can understand your frustration that Alfred Penlington’s name has not been added, it is solely down to the fact that work is still ongoing on this project as a whole (carried out by a small number of volunteers, experts in their field, who give their time willingly). We have made it quite clear on this webpage above what is happening and why a new plaque has yet to be installed. There have been several more former players discovered who gave their lives in both conflicts. They also deserve to be added, as I’m sure you will agree. It takes a great deal of work to ensure our facts are as accurate as possible, and this adds to the time taken.
Everton Football Club have been very cooperative and supportive regarding the installation of the plaque and are currently awaiting our confirmation that we have a ‘definitive list.’ I hope you will understand that we cannot commission a new plaque every time a new name has been discovered, especially as it is an ongoing project. The plaque, incidentally, is sponsored by Everton Shareholders Association, in association with our President and Founder, Doctor David France and his wife, Elizabeth, to whom we are most grateful for their generosity, while Everton Football Club provided the site. We are nearing the point now of being able to proceed with a new list, although the timing of the new stadium is also now coming into the equation, as we are waiting to see what will happen to the current memorial area.
In the meantime, we have kept our booklet up to date (available for free above), also announcing changes on this page, which is also explained above. Sergeant Alfred Penlington 1024856, 221 Squadron, RAF, is recorded in the booklet along with his photograph. He is far from forgotten, nor in the opinion of the Society have his family been ‘badly let down’, nor is it a ‘poor show’. I might also point out that he is remembered at every Remembrance Service organised by the Heritage Society held in front on the memorial on 11 November, and his name is read out from the up to date list of names in the booklet, not those on the plaque. At the closest home game to the 11 November, the Club also displays his name and photograph on the scoreboards, and he has featured in the matchday programme. His brief biography is elsewhere on this website, and he is also featured on the official EFC website (information supplied by ourselves).
Peter Jones has also met with Maureen, Alfred’s niece, and arranged for the Penlington family to attend one of our 11 November commemorations. Peter has spent many more hours researching Alfred, and is writing up his story. Without your efforts it is unlikely we would have found Alfred, but I hope you now appreciate the work that is going in to this project which will soon see fruition, whether it be at the present site or the new stadium.
Kind Regards,
Mike Royden (EFCHS War Research Group).