CROSSING THE WHITE LINE: THE WALTER TULL DRAMA SOLDIER

written by Phil Vasili and Peter Daniel front cover mural by Jonathan Boast illustations by Ted Smith-Orr design by Camilla Bergman CROSSING THE WHITE LINE: THE WALTER TULL DRAMA SOLDIER

DRAMA Soldier 7 Walter Enlists, December 21st, 1914 Where you are: (The Scene) Where you are: (The Scene) It is 21st December, 1914. A queue of men stand in a bare, smoky, large hall, where a Union Jack and a picture of King George V hang on the wall. A Registration Officer sits at a desk at one end of the room and a Medical Officer stands behind, both are in military uniform. Walter is waiting for a medical examination in his attempt to enlist for the Footballers Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Walter emerges from the throng of people and approaches the Registration Officer whose first comment is that he should be applying in his country of origin, Walter explains that England is his country of origin, to which an eyebrow is raised. The Medical Officer then examines him. Although Walter is obviously very fit, the Registration Officer is not keen on allowing Walter into the British army. What do you think is going through Walter s mind as he hears these first comments? Would he have thought he had made a mistake in trying to enlist? Why doesn t the Registration Officer want Walter in the army? What do you think the other men waiting to enlist would have thought? Who you are: (Character List) Narrator (Fred Parker is a footballer for Leyton Orient and has played against Walter in the past. He is looking forward to serving with Walter) Once your group have decided how to do their freeze frame picture of this scene, it will be your job to step out of the freeze frame and introduce your group to the rest of the class. You will need to briefly describe what is happening before introducing yourself and each character, which you will do by tapping them on the shoulder. Each character will then describe what they are doing and how they are feeling. Walter Tull Walter is nervous. He can feel the hostility of the Registration Officer but is determined to join the army. Registration Officer The Registration Officer has been told that it would undermine discipline if white soldiers served alongside black soldiers, therefore he should discourage men of non-pure european descent from joining. Medical Officer The Medical Officer is under pressure from the Registration Officer to find fault with Walter s medical condition so that his application to enlist fails. However, he cannot find anything wrong with him. Jimmy Hugall Jimmy Hugall is also a footballer from Leyton Orient who has played against Walter many times. Tom Billingham Tom Billingham is a goalkeeper for Leicester Fosse. He comes from Northampton and knows what a brilliant football player Walter is. He is eager to meet him. Extension Task Aftermath If you have time, get together with your group and try and freeze frame a new scene which will show what happens after Walter s medical. 1

DRAMA Setting the Scene Soldier 7 Write a scene for a play called Crossing the White Line: The Walter Tull Story. It is 21st December, 1914. Walter is at the Recruiting Office. There are many men waiting to enlist and Walter has been waiting for some time to have his medical. He is eager to join the Football Battalion and has just met up with footballers Fred Parker, Jimmy Hugall and Tom Billingham, all of whom Walter has played against in the past. Walter notices that he has been getting some strange looks from the army staff and even some men waiting to enlist, this is making him feel uncomfortable. He knows that this is all down to the colour of his skin, but doesn t allow their hostility to put him off enlisting. He is patriotic and wants to fight for his King and country, Walter isn t the type of person to let prejudice and ignorance get in the way of his beliefs and goals. Use the character descriptions on page 1 and pictures on page 2 and 3 to help you write your scene. Men were eager to enlist into the army and to fight for King and Country. The recruitment posters made the war seem like a game and that it would be over by Christmas. Infact the war lasted for over 4 years. 1. SET THE SCENE: Use your imagination to describe this scene and the characters in it. Try to use lots of adjectives. Think about the time of year that Walter enlists, do you think the room where Walter is having his medical is warm and friendly or cold and hostile? What kind of noises can you hear in the room? Maybe it s uncomfortably quiet or very noisy because of the men queuing outside. Describe how Walter is feeling? 3

2. The characters in the scene are Walter, Fred, Jimmy and Tom. They joke around with one another as they wait outside the medical room. The brackets are for stage direction. Walter: ( Fred Parker: ( ) Tom Billingham: ( ) Walter: ( ) Jimmy Hugall: ( ) 3. The Medical Officer calls Walter Tull in. The Registration Officer is hostile and rude toward Walter. Walter is used to this type of ignorant behaviour and decides to ignore it. However, deepdown, Walter is frustrated that he has received this kind of treatment from the army, especially the Football Battalion. Registration Officer: ( ) Medical Officer: ( ) Walter: ( ) Medical Officer: ( ) Walter: ( ) Registration Officer: ( ) 4. Describe how the scene ends: 4

DRAMA Soldier 8 The Somme: Battle of Ancre, November 1916 Where you are: (The Scene) Walter Tull and the Football Battalion are about to fight in the last major attack of the Battle of the Somme, which lasted from 1st July to 19th November 1916. Over 1,115,000 people died on both sides. It is 5:46 am, just before dawn on 13th November. At 5:51 precisely Walter and his Battalion will leave their trench and attack the enemy. Many soldiers are young and very nervous. Some have mouth-organs in their hands, ready to play when they go over the top of their trench. Only 79 of the 400 soldiers who start this attack, survive. What would Walter be thinking about as waits to go over the top? What do you think the young soldiers would be thinking about? What would they be doing? (look at the pictures on Soldier 8, page 2.) Why do you think that some soldiers went over the top playing their mouth-organs? Who you are: (Character List) Narrator (Private Tom Webb is a big football fan and is thrilled to be with so many players) Once your group have decided how to do their freeze frame picture of this scene, it will be your job to step out of the freeze frame and introduce your group to the rest of the class. You will need to briefly describe what is happening before introducing yourself and each character, which you will do by tapping them on the shoulder. Each character will then describe what they are doing and how they are feeling. 2nd Lieutenant Tull Walter is 28 years old and a Sergeant in the Football Battalion. He is in this regiment because he is a professional footballer and has played with Spurs and Northampton. Walter s job will be to help lead the men over the top by setting a good example. There is a lot of pressure on him yet he remains calm and focussed. Private Fred Parker Private Fred Parker was a former footballer for Orient before he joined the Football Battalion. He is older than Private Hayes and is doing his best to calm Hayes down. He is trying to be light hearted and assures him that they will all be fine. Private Jimmy Hugall Private Jimmy Hugall is best friends with Fred Parker, he also played for Orient. Jimmy is sitting writing a letter to his wife before they go over the top. He s worried that this might be the last time he has any contact with his wife which makes him determined to fight for his life. Major Poole Major Poole is the commanding officer and will have to blow the whistle to order them over the top to march towards the German lines. He is checking their equipment to make sure they are ready. Private Hayes Private Hayes had his 18th birthday a week ago. He is very scared. He is panicking about going over the top. He has seen too many men dying and he can t stop shaking. He believes he will die. He is with Fred Parker, who is trying to calm him down. Extension Task Aftermath If you have time, get together with your group and try and freeze frame a new scene which will show how Walter reacted when he returned to the British trenches after going over the top. Use the images on page 2 to help you imagine what happens next. 1

Drama workshop instructions: In your group of 6 read the scene on page 1. Decide who will be playing which part. Use the images and captions below to help you picture the scene. Soldier 8 Try to imagine how your character would have felt and what they might have said. British soldiers have been told that German explosive shells have destroyed the barbed wire on the German side, but they have also been told to fix wire cutters to their rifles. Iron stakes and barbed wire were carried by some men to secure captured German trenches. How would you have felt about being weighed down with extra equipment as you went into battle? How would you feel leaving the protection of the trenches and taking the first step into the open towards the German lines? 2 In the last few moments before going over the top, Sergeant Walter Tull would have ordered his men to fix bayonets to their rifles. How would Walter and the other soldiers have been feeling at this moment? Imagine you are this soldier lost deep in thought. You are one of the 79 survivors of the Football Battalion who gets through the attack in one piece. How do you feel knowing that 321 of your comrades have been killed?

DRAMA Setting the Scene Soldier 8 Write a scene for a play called Crossing the White Line: The Walter Tull Story. In this scene Walter Tull, Fred Parker and Jimmy Hugall of the 17th Battalion, 1st Football, Middlesex Regiment are about to fight in the Battle of Ancre, the last major attack of the Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme lasted from 1st July to 19th November 1916. Over 1,115,000 people died. It is 5:46 am, just before dawn on 13th November. At 5:51 precisely Walter and his Battalion will leave their trench and attack the German trenches. Many soldiers are young and very nervous. Some have mouth-organs in their hands, ready to play when they go over the top of their trench. Only 79 of the 400 soldiers who start this attack survive. Use the character descriptions on page 1 and pictures on page 2 and 3 to help you write your scene. 1. SET THE SCENE: Use your imagination to describe this scene and the characters in it. Try to use lots of adjectives. What would Walter and the other soldiers be doing as they waited to go over the top? Why did many go over the top playing their mouth-organs? Describe the atmosphere as the Battalion prepare to leave their trench and attack the German trenches. What are the weather conditions like? What noises can the soldiers hear? 3

2. The characters in the scene are 2nd Lieutenant Tull, Private Jimmy Hugall, Private Fred Parker, Private Tom Webb and Private Hayes. Begin the dialogue with 2nd Lieutenant Tull is talking to Private Hugall and Private Parker about playing for Clapton against Leyton Orient in a pre-season friendly. The brackets are for stage directions. Private Jimmy Hugall: ( ) Private Fred Parker: ( ) Private Tom Webb: ( ) Private Hayes: ( ) 3. Walter, Fred, Jimmy and Peter are joined by their commanding officer, Major Poole, who checks to make sure they are ready. Major Poole: ( ) Private Parker: ( ) 4. Describe how the scene ends: 4

DRAMA Soldier 9 Gailes Officer Training Corps, May 1917 Where you are: (The Scene) In this scene Walter Tull has completed his training at the Gailes Officer Training Corps in Scotland. He has been promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, becoming the first black soldier to be commissioned an infantry officer in the British Army. He is packing his suitcase to catch the train to Glasgow to visit his brother Edward. Around him is 2nd Lieutenants Marsh and Hill, the commanding officer of the training corps and 2nd Lieutenant Pickard. What would Walter be talking about with his fellow officers as he was packing his suitcase? Do you think he knew that he was making history by becoming Britain s first black Army Officer? Why do you think Walter had been sent to train as an Infantry Officer when people non-pure European descent were not allowed to be Infantry Officers in the British Army? What are Walter s feelings as he packs his case as he now wears his new 2nd Lieutenant s uniform. Who you are: (Character List) Narrator (2nd Lieutenant Pickard has made friends with Walter and is also being sent to the 23rd Middlesex Regiment) Once your group have decided how to do their freeze frame picture of this scene, it will be your job to step out of the freeze frame and introduce your group to the rest of the class. You will need to briefly describe what is happening before introducing yourself and each character, which you will do by tapping them on the shoulder. Each character will then describe what they are doing and how they are feeling. 2nd Lieutenant Tull Walter is pleased to have been commissioned as an Officer and will serve with the 23rd Battalion, 2nd Football, Middlesex Regiment. He has been in Scotland since Boxing Day, 1916 and is worried about his friends that he has left behind in France. He wants to see his brother and then get back to help his comrades put an end to this war. Commanding Officer of Gailes OTC The Commanding Officer was surprised to see Walter because army regulations prevent soldiers who are of non-pure European descent from becoming infantry officers. At first he was quite cold towards him but has come to respect Walter; he can see he is a respectable person and an excellent soldier. Taxi Driver The taxi driver is waiting to take Tull and Pickard to the station. He is getting frustrated at having to wait around while Tull and Pickard say their goodbyes to the other Officers. 2nd Lieutenant Marsh 2nd Lieutenant Marsh is saying goodbye to Walter and hopes to see him play when the war has finished. Walter says he may not have to go far because he wants to sign for Glasgow Rangers. 2nd Lieutenant Hill 2nd Lieutenant Hill doesn t like Walter. When he was five years old his father died in the Boer War in South Africa in 1900. He now blames all black people for what happened, even though the war was with the Dutch settlers of South Africa and many Africans fought and died whilst fighting on the side of the British. Extension Task Before This Scene: If you have time, get together with your group and try to freeze frame a new scene which will show the reaction Walter Tull got when he first arrived at Gailes Officer Training Corps. Use the images on page 2 to help you. 1

Drama workshop instructions: In your group of 6 read the scene on page 1. Decide who will be playing which part. Use the images and captions below to help you picture the scene. Soldier 9 Try to imagine how your character would have felt and what they might have said. It was said that the British army s battles were first won on the playing fields of Eton. There was a strong belief that good sportsman made good soldiers. Why was this belief to Walter Tull s advantage? Every public school had an Officer Training Corps (OTC). The army believed that officers should be gentlemen from a certain background. Why was this belief to Walter Tull s disadvantage? How do you think Walter would have reacted to a recruitment poster like this at Gailes OTC? When he wore his new uniform Walter had to adopt the role of officer and gentleman. Do you think he felt entirely comfortable with this? What difficulties might he have had to face? Walter Tull stands with two officers at Gailes in Scotland. 2

DRAMA Setting the Scene Soldier 9 Write a scene for a play called Crossing the White Line: The Walter Tull Story. In this scene Walter Tull has completed his training at the Officer Cadet School in Gailes, Scotland. He has been promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, becoming the first black soldier to be commissioned an Infantry Officer in the British army. He is in his room packing his suitcase and getting ready, as he will soon be catching a train to Edinburgh to visit his brother Edward. Use the character descriptions on page 1 and pictures on page 2 and 3 to help you write your scene. 1. SET THE SCENE: Use your imagination to describe this scene and the characters in it. Try to use lots of adjectives. What would Walter be talking about with his fellow officers as he packs his suitcase? Describe the room that he is in. Is it tidy or messy? How many beds are in it. Imagine how Walter feels whilst wearing his new 2nd Lieutenant s uniform, maybe he is trying to catch a glimpse of himself in a mirror as he packs. 3

2. The characters in the scene are 2nd Lieutenant Tull and 2nd Lieutenant Pickard. Begin the dialogue with 2nd Lieutenant Pickard asking Walter if he plans to celebrate his promotion. The brackets are for stage directions. 2nd Lieutenant Pickard: ( ) 2nd Lieutenant Pickard: ( ) 3. 2nd Lieutenant Tull and 2nd Lieutenant Pickard are joined by 2nd Lieutenant Marsh. 2nd Lieutenant Marsh: ( ) 2nd Lieutenant Pickard: ( ) 2nd Lieutenant Marsh: ( ) 4. Describe how the scene ends: 4

DRAMA Soldier 10 Italian Front, Christmas Eve, 1917 Where you are: (The Scene) It is Christmas Eve, 1917. Walter is in the Italian Alps. It is extremely cold and snowy. He is leading a fighting patrol, which has been ordered to cross the fast flowing River Piavé and go into enemy territory. Walter is the first black officer to lead white troops on a mission. Why do you think Walter had been chosen by his Commanding Officer to lead the soldiers on this dangerous mission across the River Piavé into enemy territory? Do you think he knew that he was making history as the first black officer to lead white troops? Why do you think the soldiers in Walter s regiment trusted him? Imagine the feelings of Walter as he prepares to lead his men across the dangerous river. Who you are: (Character List) Narrator (Private Fred Parker is a good swimmer and is preparing for the trip through the river) Once your group have decided how to do their freeze frame picture of this scene, it will be your job to step out of the freeze frame and introduce your group to the rest of the class. You will need to briefly describe what is happening before introducing yourself and each character, which you will do by tapping them on the shoulder. Each character will then describe what they are doing and how they are feeling. 2nd Lieutenant Tull Tull is crouching down by the river s edge, organising his party to cross the fast flowing River Piavé. He is nervous because they have to wade through the icy cold water and then carry out a mission in enemy territory on the other side. He cannot show his nerves because he needs to keep his men calm. Private Jimmy Hugall Private Jimmy Hugall played against Walter for Orient and respects and trusts him both as a footballer and soldier. However, he cannot swim and does not want to go into the river, yet he does not want to let the others down by being a burden. He has only told his mate from Orient, Fred Parker, that he can t swim. Private Tom Billingham Private Tom Billingham plays as a goalkeeper for Leicester Fosse. He has a lot of respect for Walter. He admires Walter for his coolness and courage even under great strain. Walter s attitude gives Private Billingham strength and determination. Private Higgins Private Higgins has just been conscripted. He is 19 and has only had 3 weeks training. He does not want to be on this mission. He doesn t think they stand a chance, especially the fact that they are being lead by a black man. He doesn t believe that Walter is capable of leading troops into battle, and thinks that the army has made a huge blunder which is going to now cost him his life. Private Quinn Private Quinn is only 17, and lied about his age to join up. He s feeling frightened, his father and brother have already died fighting in this war. He is shivering from the cold. He keeps a brave face on and jokes around to cover up his nerves. Extension Task Aftermath If you have time, get together with your group and try and freeze frame a new scene, showing Walter and his party returning to their trench line having successfully completed their mission with no casualties, tired but happy to get back without harm. Look at the pictures on page 2 to help you get some ideas. 1

Drama workshop instructions: In your group of 6 read the scene on page 1. Decide who will be playing which part. Use the images and captions below to help you picture the scene. Soldier 10 Try to imagine how your character would have felt and what they might have said. A British soldier aims his gun through the clouds. Soldiers were issued with sheepskin fleeces to keep out the intense cold they faced on the Italian front. The fleeces kept out the cold, but were full of fleas and were eventually discontinued. Walter would have briefed his men before their mission started. Some soldiers resent having a black officer. How do they react to Tull giving out his orders? Headlines from The New York Times, January 1918. How are Private Huggall and Private Parker feeling as they wade through the frozen River Piave? Tull brings his men back without a single casualty and then hands out the Christmas post from home. What would Private Higgins, who questioned having a black Officer, think about him now? 2

DRAMA Setting the Scene Soldier 10 Write a scene for a play called Crossing the White Line: The Walter Tull Story. It is Christmas Eve, 1917. Walter is on the Italian Front in the Alps mountains. It is extremely cold and snowy. In this scene he leads a fighting patrol across the fast flowing River Piavé into enemy territory. Use the character descriptions on page 1, pictures on page 2 and pictures below, to help you write your scene. A British soldier aims his gun through the clouds. Soldiers were issued with sheepskin fleeces to keep out the intense cold they faced on the Italian front. The fleeces kept out the cold, but were full of fleas and were eventually discontinued. Walter would have briefed his men before their mission started. 1. SET THE SCENE: Use your imagination to describe this scene and the characters in it. Try to use lots of adjectives. Describe the conditions that the men are fighting in? What does it feel like to be wearing sheepskin fleeces? How easy is it to move in them? What is 2nd Lieutenant Tull doing as he prepares to lead the soldiers on this dangerous mission across the River Piavé into enemy territory? How do the soldiers prepare for their mission? 3

2. The characters for the scene are 2nd Lieutenant Tull and Major Poole. Begin the dialogue with Major Poole giving Walter his instructions. The brackets are for stage directions. Major Poole: ( ) Major Poole: ( ) 3. 2nd Lieutenant Tull tells his fighting patrol what they have to do and to prepare for this night mission. Private Fred Parker: ( ) Private Jimmy Hugall: ( ) 4. Describe how the scene ends: 4

DRAMA Soldier 11 Western Front, March 25th, 1918 Where you are: (The Scene) It is 25th March, 1918. Walter is fighting the Battle of Bapaume in the Second Battle of the Somme. The Germans have launched a major attack on the British and French trenches. In this scene Walter is retreating with his men back to Favreuil Airfield. He is suddenly shot and Private Billingham tries unsuccessfully to bring a dying Walter back to their trench. What do you think Walter s thoughts were as enemy soldiers advanced? Why did Private Billingham, a goalkeeper for Leicester Fosse (now City), risk his life to bring Walter back to their trench? Imagine the feelings of Walter as Billingham was trying to save him. Who you are: (Character List) Narrator (Private Lewis see s that 2nd Lieutenant Tull has been shot. He can also see that the Germans are advancing and warns Private Tom Billingham, who is holding Tull, to let him go before he also gets shot) Once your group have decided how to do their freeze frame picture of this scene, it will be your job to step out of the freeze frame and introduce your group to the rest of the class. You will need to briefly describe what is happening before introducing yourself and each character, which you will do by tapping them on the shoulder. Each character will then describe what they are doing and how they are feeling. 2nd Lieutenant Tull Tull has been shot. He knows he will not survive. Infact he only has 2 minutes to live. He is trying to tell Billingham to leave him because there are German soldiers very near, so near they can hear their voices. He does not want Billingham to die trying to save him. Private Tom Billingham Private Tom Billingham is holding a dying Walter Tull in his arms and won t leave him. It is a very dangerous situation for him as the German soldiers are advancing. Billingham holds Walter, the surrounding gunfire drowns out his shouts for help. Walter dies in his arms and eventually Billingham is forced to leave him, otherwise he too will be killed. Captain Sutherland Captain Sutherland shouts at Billingham ordering him to leave Tull. He too can see the danger of the advancing Germans and wants Billingham to leave Tull as he can see that Tull is fatally wounded and can t be saved. Gefreiter Weisman (A German Lieutenant) Leuntnant Weisman, looking through binoculars, points out to his colleague that in the distance he can see a white soldier holding a black soldier in his arms. Leuntnant Rosen (A German Private) Leuntnant Rosen says he does not believe him and takes the binoculars from his comrade to get a better look. His comrade, Gefreiter Weisman is about to shoot Private Tom Billingham but Leuntnant Rosen stops him, he can see that the black british officer is dead and for a moment feels an overwhelming sadness at the madness of war. Extension Task Aftermath If you have time, get together with your group and try and freeze frame a new scene which shows the effect that Walter Tull s death has on his family, comrades, friends, football fans, footballers etc. 1

Drama workshop instructions: In your group of 6 read the scene on page 1. Decide who will be playing which part. Use the images and captions below to help you picture the scene. Soldier 11 Try to imagine how your character would have felt and what they might have said. German soldiers break through the British lines on 21st March, 1918. Their rapid advance takes the British soldiers by surprise. How do Tull and his men react to what has happened? Tull calmly leads his men away from the German advance. What do the men feel about their brave officer? Walter is hit but it is too dangerous to go to his aid with a stretcher. How do Tull s men feel about leaving him? Gefreiter Weisman (with binoculars) has spotted Private Billingham trying to help the fatally wounded Tull. Billingham carries Tull a few yards but is forced to leave him as the Germans advance. How does he feel about leaving Walter s body behind? Billingham has escaped the German advance and has time to think about what happened and his feelings about Tull dying. 2 This is the telegram that Walter Tull s brother, Edward, received informing him that Walter had been killed.

DRAMA Setting the Scene Soldier 11 Write a scene for a play called Crossing the White Line: The Walter Tull Story. It is 25th March, 1918. Walter is fighting the Battle of Bapaume in the second Battle of the Somme. The Germans have launched a major attack on the British and French trenches. In this scene Walter is retreating with his men back to Favreuil Airfield. He is suddenly shot and Private Billingham tries unsuccessfully to bring a dying Walter back to their trench, whilst the German soldiers advance. Use the character descriptions on page 1 and pictures on page 2 and 3 to help you. Telegram from the King, sent to Edward, informing him of Walter s death. Article from the Northampton Independent, 1918. German soldiers advance. 1. SET THE SCENE: Use your imagination to describe this scene and the characters in it. Try to use lots of adjectives. Imagine the noises that can be heard on the battlefield. What are the conditions like? What is the weather like? How are Tulls men coping now he has been shot? Are they filled with determination to get through this or are they exhausted and disheartened? 3

2. The characters for this scene are 2nd Lieutenant Tull and Private Billingham The German s are advancing and Tull has just been shot. German soldiers, Weisman and Rosen crouch close by. Begin the dialogue with Private Billingham reassuring a wounded and dying Walter that they will get him back to safety. The brackets are for stage directions. Private Tom Billingham: ( ) Private Tom Billingham: ( ) 3. Tull and Billingham are joined by Captain Sutherland and Private Lewis. In the distance they can hear the voices of German soldiers (Rosen and Weisman) who are looking through binoculars at Billingham holding Tull as he dies. Private Tom Billingham: ( ) Private Lewis: ( ) Captain Sutherland: ( ) Gefreiter Weisman: ( ) Leuntnant Rosen: ( ) 4. Describe how the scene ends: 4