Play about Northants footballer and war hero heads to Corby

Walter Tull — the grandson of a Barbadian slave and orphaned at just eight years old — rose to prominence against all odds. The first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in the UK, he went on to achieve another historic breakthrough as the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an officer in the British Army.

In spite of these extraordinary achievements, successive British governments have failed to acknowledge the full extent of Walter Tull’s pioneering contribution to British history, and it was redressing the injustice of such treatment that motivated playwright Dougie Blaxland when researching and writing the book and lyrics for his play, Our Little Hour.

The play was a hit with critics and audiences when it was performed in Northampton in 2024 – and now audiences in Corby can experience the show when it comes to The Core in February.

Blaxland said: “In spite of the warm words of praise and the public unveiling of plaques and a statue dedicated to Walter Tull’s memory, a key moment of his life is all too often conveniently glossed over — and it is the dramatisation of this that lies at the heart of Our Little Hour.”

The event that Dougie Blaxland refers to occurred on January 1, 1917, when Walter Tull became the first black British military officer to lead his men in combat. It was during the North Italian campaign, and Tull led his platoon across the freezing cold Piave river in a daring raid on enemy lines. On his return — having achieved his objective with all 26 of his men safe and unharmed — he received a citation for “gallantry and coolness under fire” and was recommended for the Military Cross by his commanding officer.

Nevertheless, as Blaxland said: “In spite of irrefutable documentary evidence that substantiates Walter Tull’s entitlement to the Military Cross, the award has still not been made.”

The omission is all the more poignant because Tull was killed just weeks before the end of the war at the Second Battle of the Somme.

Blaxland hopes that Our Little Hour will “inspire audiences to join the campaign to overturn a blatant injustice that has clouded Walter Tull’s great legacy for more than a hundred years.”

Tull made his name as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur, for whom he made his debut in 1909, his talent having been spotted while playing for amateur side Clapton. His time at Spurs began promisingly, but he became subjected to racial abuse. After struggling to find a regular place in the team, he was bought in 1911 by Northampton Town, for whom he ended up playing 111 matches before enlisting with the British Army after war broke out in 1914.

Our Little Hour can be seen at The Core on Wednesday February 11 and Thursday February 12.

Visit thecorecorby.com or call 01536 470470 to book.