A record of the Sportsman's Battalions during the First World War, including a database of soldiers who enlisted in - or served with - the 23rd, 24th and 30th Royal Fusiliers, originally raised by Mrs. Emma Cunliffe-Owen in September 1914. If you have any questions or comments, please send to fmsketches@macbrem.com, thanks!

January 10, 1915

The Fort Wayne News

STILL KEEN ON SPORTS

[...]

Since football was abolished in England most of the players have answered the popular demand and have enlisted for war duty. The Sportsman’s battalion, recently recruited, is composed very largely of crack football and polo players in the British Isles. Much is expected from this squad of soldiers, which now is being put through drills, because of the fact that all the men are athletes and able to endure much physical strain.

Some star cricket players are also numbered among the recruits in the Sportsman’s battalion. A son of Charley Mitchell, the veteran English pugilist, has enlisted, as have many of the boxers who have big reputations in England.

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