SATURDAY’S FA cup match between Grays Athletic and Bromley saw the two clubs come together to remember their former players who fought and died during the World War One.
Players, supporters and officials came together before the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round clash to remember the 100th anniversary of former Gray’s player Thomas Ellison who died on October 20th 1914 in France. The club held a minutes silence while club captain Kenny Beaney laid a wreath on the pitch as a bugler sounded the last post.
Poppies were sold during the game to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
As well as commemorating Thomas Ellison officials also remembered players from both Grays and Bromley FC who lost their lives during the war. Those players are as follows
For Grays Athletic:
Roy Dunn – who died on the HMS Clan McNaughton sinking on the 3rd February 1915
Bill Kennedy
Mac Harris
"Fairy" Wakefield
Billy Webb
Bill Bullock
For Bromley FC
Percy Smith
C.B.Laundrey
G.Wilson
I.Hunter
B.J.Currie
Colonel Frank Griffith – Their Club President
A Grays Athletic spokesman said "We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice these brave men gave for their country. As a community football club we are honoured to commemorate our former players who gave their lives for King and country"
Club supporters David Barnes and Chris Turner organised the memorial service and George Watts will lay the wreath from the football club on Remembrance Sunday at the Grays War Memorial
