Footballer of Loos

The London Irish Rifles, now a Reserve Army company based in Flodden Road, Camberwell, London, have a long and illustrious past. They won their first battle honours in the second Boer War in 1900 and served with distinction in both world wars.

In 1915, at the battle of Loos in northern France, Rifleman Edwards helped lift the morale of his chums by kicking a football across no man’s land towards the enemy trenches. This act forms the centrepiece of Loos Sunday.

The London Irish Rifles parade on the Sunday nearest the 25th September each year, and after the pipes and drums of the regiment comes a short memorial service in the drill hall.

To coincide with this annual event, I’ll be releasing my book, Goodbye, Piccadilly, and running a free promotion over Loos Sunday weekend. More details to follow.