Wilfred Nevill

Wilfred (Billie) Nevill (14 July 1894 – 1 July 1916) was an officer attached to the East Surrey Regiment in the First World War. He became famous as the officer who kicked a football into No Man's Land at the start of the Battle of the Somme. He was promptly killed in action while leading an assault on a German position.

Early life Wilfred Percy Nevill was born at Canonbury Park in London on 14 July 1894 He was one of four brothers and three sisters, raised at homes in Westgate-on-Sea and Twickenham. describes Nevill's style of play -

Press coverage "Touchstone" of The Daily Mail penned the following verse in tribute: On through the hail of slaughter, Where gallant comrades fall, Where blood is poured like water, They drive the trickling ball. The fear of death before them, Is but an empty name; True to the land that bore them, The SURREYS played the game.

The Daily Telegraph of 12 July 1916 ran the headline, GALLANT EAST SURREYS. A CHARGE WITH FOOTBALLS and gave the following account -

Relics One of Neville's Somme footballs is currently displayed at the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Museum at Dover Castle. The other is believed lost after a fire the Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Museum at Clandon Park, Guildford in 2015.