by Steve Jenkins

AN HISTORIC event took place last weekend when over ninety Leyton Orient supporters, and a contingent from the Leyton and Manor Park branches of the Royal British Legion, made their way over to northern France to visit the Somme battlefields, and in particular the final resting places of Clapton Orient legends; Richard McFadden, William Jonas and George Scott - the three O's players that gave their lives during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

The trip was the idea of O's Supporters' Club Deputy Chairman Steve Jenkins, who, along with Les Bailey, the Standard Bearer of the Leyton Royal British Legion, set out to make the first ever 'official' visit to the Orient war graves since the Great War.

Steve admitted: "When I first thought about the idea of an O's visit to the Somme, I was confident of getting some support, enough maybe to fill a minibus - to end up taking three coaches over to the battlefields is truly amazing and this really shows how much interest and pride there is with this important part of Leyton Orient's history.

"Les Bailey said to me: 'You fill the coaches Steve and I will arrange the trip'.

"And that is exactly what happened

"My book They Took The Lead tells the story of Clapton Orient's major contribution to the Footballers' Battalion in the Great War, and I hope that it went some way in making people aware of the sacrifice made, not only by the O's and not only footballers, but the community as a whole at a time when the country was in great danger.

"To think that ultimately forty one players and staff enlisted into the 17th Middlesex is a massive tribute to the Club - Clapton Orient was the first English Football League side to enlist en masse to serve King and country.

"The O's really did take the lead and it set an example for other football clubs to follow at a time when professional sport was frowned upon."

Early morning sunshine greeted the travellers, many of whom had come from a fair distance to meet up in Buckingham Road, indeed it is known that one of the party had driven down from Liverpool the very morning of departure - not bad going considering the coaches were due to leave Leyton at 6.15am!

Arriving at Dover and then Calais via ferry, a ninety minute journey into the heart of the Somme battlefields led the party to Vimy Ridge. It is here that there is a memorial commemorating the lives of 11,285 Canadians missing in action, unfortunately the memorial is currently undergoing renovation and was covered up. However, it was possible to visit the excellent visitors centre and the preserved trenches, both Canadian and German - at times the trenches were no more than a main road width apart, this visual example took your breath away. It was also possible to make out the numerous shell craters dotted around the area and it was very moving to see the masses of Canadian fir trees that have been planted, each one representing a Canadian soldier.

The next port of call was to visit the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in the village of Monchy-Le-Preux. It is here that Lance Corporal Steve Whittington of the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment is buried, L/Cpl is the Grandfather of Les Bailey. Unfortunately Les Bailey had to pull out of the trip at the very last moment due to his wife being very seriously ill, but it was felt that a brief act of commemoration for Steve's life on behalf of Les and Mo Bailey was the right thing to do.

By now, due to the extreme heat and the early start, many of the party were feeling tired so it was good to at last to head to Arras where everyone would be staying for the night. The Orient at Hotel Mercure, and the Royal British Legion at Hotel Ibis.

A good evening was had by all in Arras with many of the O's fans making their way into the two squares, where there are many restaurants and bars as well as places of interest. A group of Orient supporters also made their way to see a pre season friendly between Lens and St Etienne, starved of football during the summer break even allowing for the World Cup a week or so ago!

Sunday was the 'Orient day'

Leaving the hotels at 9.30am the first visit was to the British Cemetery at St Souplet, the final resting place of Private George Scott F/1583.

George Scott was a sturdy dependable defender for the O's making 213 appearances and scoring 34 goals. He would put up with no nonsense and would not shirk out of any challenge on the field of play - he was a big- hearted player. His strong character probably led him to be 'roughed up' by the Germans after he was taken prisoner - he died of wounds sustained whilst in a prisoner of war camp in St Quentin.

Upon arrival the main party made their way along the narrow road to the cemetery. After five minutes or so, the wreath laying party marched towards the cemetery: comprising of three Royal British Legion Pipers, three buglers from Leyton Orient Supporters' Club, the Standard of the Leyton Royal British Legion, Danny Moore representing Leyton RBL and LOSC committee member Martyn Rolfe who carried the wreath.

The pipers played a lament as they reached the grave and as they finished Steve Jenkins welcomed everybody and gave a short talk about George Scott's life. Steve then invited Lou Day to lay the wreath on behalf of Leyton Orient Supporters' Club and O's fans around the world. 'Last Post' was sounded followed by a period of silence for reflection, the citation was spoken and then 'Reveille' was played, signalling the end of the memorial service.

The British Cemetery at St Souplet is very small and intimate, as so many of them are in this part of France. Everyone had the chance to pay their own respects to George Scott before the coaches set off for the long drive to Thiepval.

Commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial is the life of Private William Jonas F/32. William is remembered here with honour, he is one of 73,000 British and South African servicemen who have no known grave and William was lost in no man's land.

William Jonas was one of the finest centre forwards to have played for Clapton Orient, making 74 appearances and scoring 23 goals. He was quite a character, getting himself sent off along with the Millwall goalkeeper for fighting in an FA Cup tie at the Old Den, this altercation led to a full scale riot that had to be quelled by mounted police! He was also a favourite with the female O's supporters at Millfields Road, so much fan mail was being sent to him he had to put a request in the Orient programme stating that, 'whilst he appreciates all the attention, he is very happily married to his sweetheart Mary Jane and therefore could he please be left alone before he got into trouble with his wife!'

As at Vimy Ridge, there is an excellent visitor centre (both free of charge and very informative), after ten to fifteen minutes an act of memorial for William was held right up in the heart of the memorial. The format was exactly the same only this time several war poems were read by Martyn Rolfe, Chris Raistrick and Khris Raistrick respectively, the wreath was laid by Martyn Rolfe.

The heat was unrelenting, but undaunted, everyone was looking forward to paying their respects to Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden MM F/162 who is buried at Couin British Cemetery.

It was only a short drive from Thiepval, which was a relief as the sun was blaring down, so severe in fact that the road was beginning to melt. Couin British Cemetery straddles the road as you approach it. At the time of the Battle of the Somme, the nearby farm building was used by the British as a field hospital - many of those buried in the cemetery are of those who did not make it once they got to the hospital.

As at the two previous locations, a full act of memorial took place with further war poems read out, Steve Jenkins read Flanders Fields as requested by Margaret Bradshaw, the daughter of Clapton Orient half-back Nolan 'Peggy' Evans, who was severely wounded in the Battle of Delville Wood. Steve Jenkins laid the wreath accompanied by David and Mary Pressman - two children who came on the trip.

For many of those present, it was quite an experience to be so close to such an Orient icon. Richard McFadden was a prolific goal scorer, hitting the back of the net 68 times in only 142 appearances. It is also known that he was a 'reluctant hero' on more than one occasion. It is reported that he saved the life of a person who was trapped in a burning building on two separate occasions. It is also well documented that whilst out on a training run down Lea Bridge Road, he spotted a boy floundering in the River Lea. Without any thoughts of his own safety, he ran down to the edge of the river bank and jumped in to save the boy's life. Richard was subsequently awarded a medal by the Mayor of Hackney for his bravery.

McFadden's life-saving exploits continues into the war years, and it is well documented that he often went into no man's land to rescue wounded soldiers by bringing them back to the trenches.

He was awarded the military medal for his bravery, but it was a characteristic that ultimately to cost him his life as another rescue attempt in no man's land ended in tragedy.

Steve Jenkins also mentioned that buried in the same cemetery was Sid Wheelhouse 909, he also served in the Footballers' Battalion and was captain of Grimsby Town. Sid 'guested' for the O's during the war years prior to coming over to the Somme and it was apt that several crosses were planted at his grave by O's supporters.

As everyone made their way back to the coaches, the buglers played 'Retreat', signifying the visit to the Somme was over and it was time to go home.

The day was coming to a close, and as the coaches made their way back to Calais there was much talk of how good it was to be there. Any prior morbid thoughts were swiftly dealt with due to the immaculate condition the cemeteries are kept in and the bright summer sun and the colourful roses growing by each headstone.

When the coaches finally pulled up back in Buckingham Road, there was much talk about 'going back again' and 'when can we do it again'. No date has been set but one thing is for sure - Leyton Orient supporters will go back again, either individually, in small groups or in another organised trip.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM