NTFC Supporters Ltd

2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull was the first Black infantry officer in the British Army. He was the first Black infantry officer to lead White troops into battle. He was the first Black infantry officer to be mentioned in despatches and was the first Black infantry officer to be recommended for a Military Cross, which he never received.

 Walter Tull was the first Northampton Town footballer to enlist in British Expeditionary Force, in December 1914, joining the Footballers' Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was commissioned an officer in May, 1917, at a time when the Manual of Military Law stated that 'aliens' (including 'Negroes') can be commissioned in an honorary rank but must not 'exercise any actual command or power'.

 During the First World War the army broke their rules when commissioning Walter because he was an outstanding soldier and they were short of officers. In doing so they set a precedent. Ironically, Walter was probably not given his MC because of this: once the recommendation had been passed further down the (bureaucratic) line it was realised that, as a 'Negroe' Walter was prohibited from 'exercising...command and power' and therefore, de facto, could not be given his Military Cross for leading his Company of (White) troops on a dangerous mission into enemy territory and bringing them back unharmed.   

 In recent communications with the Ministry of Defence they have argued they cannot award Walter his Military Cross because his case now falls outside the time period allowed for posthumous acknowledgement and, if they did break this rule for him, they would be setting a precedent.

 A precedent was set in 1917 by promoting Tull to 2nd Lieutenant because it was expedient and suited the army. A unique precedent should now be set in awarding Walter his long overdue and much deserved medal for bravery in a war in which he made the ultimate sacrifice.

 It is manifestly unjust for Walter to be denied his medal because his character, ability and popularity raised him to a level at which he and his kind were barred. To be denied his MC because of his strengths is not only unfair but mocks the notion of justice.  

 We call upon Parliament, through this petition, to correct this historical error and posthumously award 2nd Lieutenant Walter Tull his Military Cross.

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