Musical drama about an extraordinary man comes to Leeds Playhouse as part of a campaign for justice

Audiences urged to sign petition for pioneering Army officer and footballer Walter Tull to receive the Military Cross

Walter Tull was an extraordinary man. Not only was he the first Black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in the UK, he was also the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an officer in the British Army.

Our Little Hour, a critically acclaimed musical based on his life, is coming to Leeds Playhouse next month as part of a national Show Racism the Red Card campaign to address a century-old injustice that meant Walter never received the Military Cross he was recommended for during the First World War.

Former Chelsea and Southampton footballer Ken Monkou, who will be taking part in a post-show discussion at Leeds Playhouse on Saturday 21 March as an ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card, said: “Like so many Black professional footballers, I regard Walter Tull as a heroic pioneer and an inspiration to subsequent generations of young players who share his heritage. Our Little Hour brings his story to life with warmth, dignity and quiet power. It reminds us not only of his extraordinary achievements, but of his humanity, resilience and hope in the face of injustice. It’s a moving and beautifully told piece of theatre.”

Hailed as “utterly compelling” and “an intensely moving new musical drama”, the production explores his commission in 1917, which came despite an official ruling made just three years before that all British Army officers should be of ‘pure European descent’.

Leon Newman, who plays Walter Tull, said: “While Our Little Hour is an artistic celebration of Walter Tull’s life, it is also part of an active mission to persuade the British Government to honour the award of the Military Cross for which Walter was recommended following his courage and leadership during a mission which took place on 1 January 1918 when he led a party of 26 men as part of a raid across the Piave River in Northern Italy.”

Walter and his men had to shield the rest of the battalion involved in the raid and provide cover as they crossed multiple streams and advanced on enemy lines. The raid was a complete success and he returned with all 26 of his men safe and unharmed. As a result, he received a citation for “gallantry and coolness” under fire from Major-General Sydney Lawford, Commander of the 41st Division of the British Army. But the award has never been made.

Playwright Dougie Blaxland, who has placed Walter’s role in the raid across the Piave River at the heart of the drama, said: “The failure to honour Walter Tull with the award he so clearly deserved is made all the more disgraceful by the fact that he was killed just three months later fighting in Northern France.”

To date more than 3,500 people have signed up in support of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign for Walter to be finally awarded the Military Cross and for a statue to be erected in London in his honour. For a formal response from the Government, 10,000 signatures are needed.

You can find out more about the petition here.

The campaign is supported by Walter Tull’s descendants and his former football clubs at Northampton Town and Tottenham Hotspur (he also played for Clapton and Glasgow Rangers) It also has the support of historians, notable authors, and 37 MPs.

Our Little Hour plays at Leeds Playhouse 20-21 March. Tickets are available here.