OVER 180 members of the Leyton Orient Expeditionary Force (LOEF) travelled in excess of 400 miles over the weekend to succesfully pay tribute to the fallen of the Great War, and in particular the memorial and resting places of the three Clapton Orient footballers killed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916: Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden MM, Private William Jonas and Private George Scott.

It meant an early start on the Saturday for all concerned and there was major concerns about the weather prospects following the 'Somme Like' conditions experienced throughout Britain the previous week.

Undeterred, having crossed over the channel by ferry the first point of call was to the impressive and foreboding Thiepval Memorial - the largest war memorial in the world. Inscribed on its pillars are the names of over 73,000 British and South Africans who have no known grave. The party was met by the Mayor of Thiepval Monsuier Max Potie, who was presented with a commemorative glass plate by Supporters' Club Deputy Chairman Steve Jenkins. O's supporters Theresa Burns and Martyn Rolfe both read war poems and it was then left to Theresa to place a wreath on the granite plinth at the memorial in memory of William Jonas on behalf of O's supporters all around the world.

The next visit was to the small and unassuming Authuille Chapel. The three Leyton Orient buglers who took part in the weekend's ceremonies are all former members of the 17th Waltham Forest Boys' Brigade, so it was fitting that a ceremony took place here. A black marble plinth commemorates the 15th, 16th and 17th Battalion's of the Highland Light Infantry. The 16th were made up almost entirely of boys from the Glasgow Battalion of the Boys' Brigade. On July 1, 1916 the battalion suffered 554 casualties of which the majority were sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years old. Leiutenant Geoff Norris, a serving officer in the brigade, laid a wreath in memory of those BB boys who made the ulitimate sacrifice.

Two shorter stops were next on the agenda, firstly to the A.I.F Burial Ground where O's supporter Frank Johnson paid his respects to his grandfather and then onto Delville Wood, the site of one of the bloodiest periods of fighting during the Somme conflict and where O's legend William Jonas died.

All four coaches then set off to the hotels in Arras and Lens which then gave those travelling a chance to relax, unwind and have some free time - the first day was very demanding, both physically and emotionally.

Sunday morning saw the party make their way to Monchy-Le-Preux where the Great Grandfather of Les Bailey is buried. Les is the main organiser of the trip and a member of the Royal British Legion, without Les this trip would not have taken place so it was important to spend a short while here.

The next place of commemoration was at the British Military Cemetery at St Souplet, the resting place of Clapton Orient's George Scott. The cemetery is situated just outside the village in a very pictureque location and if there can ever be such a thing as a pretty cemetery this was it. Steve Jenkins read to those assembled a moving and sincere tribute from Peter Kitchen, the words of which moved many to tears. Peter has an intense interest in the Somme conflict and is in full support and admiration in the way the club is now remembering its fallen and wounded in the Great War. O's supporters Joe Durston and Frank Johnson both read poems and a wreath was then laid by Martyn Rolfe on behalf of all O's supporters around the world.

A refreshment stop at "Ocean Villa" tea rooms was next on the agenda, unfortunately the establishment could not cope with the size of the party and after a period of waiting it was decided to move on. Sterling work by Trevor West and a decisive decision by O's organiser Steve Jenkins saved the day as time was pressing and it was vitally important to get to Calais and back home to 'Blighty' at a reasonable time.

The last location on on the tour was Couin British Military Cemetery, the resting places of two players to have worn the white and red of Clapton Orient; Company Serjeant Richard McFadden MM and Lance Corporal Sid Wheelhouse. Two O's supporters each read a poem, one was read by Doug Harper and the other by Len Bassett.

Sid Wheelhouse was the Grimsby Town captain and full-back, whilst waiting to join up into the 17th Middlesex and go over to France Sid played for Clapton Orient on a kind of 'on loan' basis. Sadly L/Cpl Wheelhouse died as a result of gas inhalation on September 19, 1916. Travelling with the party was Malcolm and Shirley Bond who joined up with the O's having already come down from Sunderland. Malcolm is related to Sid Wheelhouse and Steve Jenkins invited both Malcolm and Shirley to lay a wreath at his grave, on behalf of all Grimsby Town and Leyton Orient Supporters around the world.

It was then time to pay respects to Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden MM, one of the Greatest players ever to have played for the Orient since its formation in 1881. Steve Jenkins began proceedings by reminding people about Richard's life saving proclivities; saving people from a burning building and saving the life of a small boy in the river Lea. His life saving exploits continued into the war, bringing back wounded comrades from No Mans Land on numerous occasions. This action at the front line was to ultimately cost him his own life. Richard died of his wounds October 23, 1916. An obituary published by Clapton Orient and two contemporay tributes were read by Steve, followed by a wreath being laid on behalf of O's supporters all around the world by three of the youngest members of the party; Callum Hall, Ryan Wiseman and Joshua Aggus.

At each of the sites 'Last Post', followed by 'Reveille' was played, and at Couin the famous football hymn 'Abide With Me' was sung followed by 'Retreat', signifying it was time to go home - Mission Accomplished.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Mentioned in despatches

Les Bailey - main organiser without whom the Somme trip would never have happened

The Drums and pipers of the Leyton Branch Royal British Legion and the London Scottish Regiment

To everyone who travelled over to the Somme, not only at the weekend but also in 2006 - your immense interest (and at times patience) is really appreciated and pivotal to what has been achieved on behalf of the Orient

O's stewards on coaches - Martyn Rolfe, Trevor West and Theresa Burn

WW1 enthusiasts - Terry Hurley and Andre Fugl

Last but most certainly not least, the forty one players and staff of Clapton Orient Football Club who signed on the dotted line to serve King and Country to up into the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment - the 'Footballers' Battalion'