Swansea City A.F.C. Liberty Stadium - Spencer Bassett, Joseph Bulcock, and Edward Mitchell
A decade ago, a memorial at Swansea City A.F.C. Liberty Stadium was unveiled to commemorate Spencer Bassett, Joseph Bulcock, and Edward Mitchell, players who lost their lives during the First World War.
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| Vetch Field |
Swansea City A.F.C. was founded as Swansea Town AFC in the summer of 1912. Swansea Gaslight Co. owned a site called Vetch Field, where the vegetables that grew there rented the ground to the ground.
So, who were these players?
Spencer Bassett
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| Spencer Thomas Bassett |
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| Spencer Thomas Bassett Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-la Boisselle, France credit - findagrave |
Spencer was the son of Thomas and Agnes Bassett, of 65
Vicarage Road, Plumstead, London. Native of Blackheath.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Spencer, 15, was residing at
his parent’s home, 61 Bannockburn Road, Plumstead.
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| 1901 Census |
His father, Thomas, 48, was a Grocer owning his own
business, whilst his mother Agnes, 44.
Spencer had an older sister, Florence, 19.
Spencer’s career as a footballer started when he signed for
Arsenal in 1908, before he moved to Exeter, Devon.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Spencer, a boarder is living
at 9 Edgerton Park Road, Exeter, the home of Seymour Worner and his wife,
Victoria.
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| 1911 Census |
Spencer’s occupation is recorded as a Professional
Footballer.
Spencer who played with Exeter City as a full back stayed
for three seasons before moving to Swansea Town, for the 1913-14 Season.
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| Western Times |
Proving to be a skillful and clever right back, initially,
Spencer re-signed for the 1914-15 Season, however, with the uncertainty caused
by the outbreak of the First World War, Spencer joined Southend United.
The 1914-15 Season, initially, started on the 2nd
of September, the same day that the County Cricket Championship cancelled the
remainder of their season with immediate effect. It was thought that football would follow
suit.
The end of the season was during the following April. The FA Final game played on the 29th
between Sheffield United and Chelsea the Football League and Southern League
announced that they were to suspend games for the duration of the war. The 1919-20 Season was the first season
following the war.
Spencer enlisted for the Royal Garrison Artillery at
Woolwich on the 1st of March 1916.
His address is recorded as 65 Vicarage Road, Plumstead, and his
occupation is as a Grocers Assistant.
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| Forest Hill & Sydenham Examiner |
Joseph Bulcock
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| Joseph Bulcock |
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| Joseph Bulcock Bandaghem Military Cemetery, Haringhe, Belgium credit - findagrave |
Joseph was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Bulcock of 16 Fir
Street, Burnley.
Joseph was born in 1881 in Burley, Lancashire
At the time of the 1901 Census, Joseph, 20, was a border
residing at 5 Rowley Street, Lancashire, the home of Alice Horner, 49.
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| 1901 Census |
Joseph’s occupation is recorded as a Cotton Weaver. His father, Joseph was also a Cotton Weaver.
Joseph’s career as a footballer saw him in the reserves for
both Burnley and Aston Villa, before appearing for both Bury and Exeter. Joseph played five seasons with Crystal
Palace.
1910, The South African Football Association joins the FIFA,
the first association outside of Europe to join. The English Football Association sends an
amateur representative side to tour South Africa, Joseph was one of the team.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Joseph is residing at his
family home, 16 Fir Street, Burnley.
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| 1911 Census |
Joseph, now 30, his occupation is recorded as a Professional Footballer. The census records that he is married. Also present at the house is his widowed mother, Elizabeth, 57.
Two years later, Joseph joined Swansea Town late in the 1913
– 14 season, he went on to captain the team on several occasions. The club
program described Joseph as the club's favourite both on and off the
field.
Following the suspension of the season in 1915, Joseph was
living at 69 Pottery Street, Llanelli. 2nd
December 1915, Joseph enlisted and joined the Pembroke Yeomanry (Castlemartin).
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| Lancashire Evening Post |
Edward Mitchell
Edward Thomas Mitchell
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| Edward Thomas Mitchell Bethun Town Cemetery credit - findagrave |
Serjeant E(dward) T(homas) Mitchell, served with the Royal Field Artillery, 117th Battery, 26th Brigade. Killed in Action 6th January 1916. Buried at Bethun Town Cemetery.
Born in 1892, Middlesbrough, Edward was the son of Edward and
Jane Mitchell.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Edward, 9 was residing at
his parent’s home, 27 West Terrace, Normandy, Middlesbrough
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| 1901 Census |
Edward, 53, is employed as a Lifts Engineman, and Jane is
33. Their children are Mary J., 11;
Edward T., 9; Margaret E. 5; and 4-month-old John W. Also present at the property on the night of
the census is the mother Mary Lindup, 74.
A decade later at the time of the 1911 Census, Edward now
19, is serving with the Royal Field Artillery, 24th Battery, he is
ranked as Driver and on the evening of the census is at camp, Bulford Huts
Barracks, Bulford Camp, Salisbury.
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| 1911 Census |
1913 Edward was playing for Reading when he moved to Swansea
Town as a Forward. Edward whose
versatility was appreciated that he played on the right wing.
On the outbreak of the First World War, Edward who was a
reservist was called up immediately. By
September 1914, Edward was at the Front, serving with the Royal Field Artillery,
by the end of September he was wounded in a French hospital.
Having been promoted to Sergeant, Edward returned to
Llandeilo, to marry Dolly Jones on 22nd July 1915. Four days later he was back in the Front.
The Hearld of Wales reported his death on 15th
January 1916.The Hearld of Wales
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