When the Whistle Blew delves into the history of two clubs from west and east London – Rosslyn Park Rugby Club and Clapton Orient Football Club. The clubs tell the tale of the different roles rugby and football played in the Great War. The poster boys of rugby fought with great valour and the footballers even had their own Battalion. Both sports were changed for ever by this war and shaped the games as we know them today.
World War One was a conflict that mobilised and touched every community across the UK. As part of the BBC’s World War One At Home project, in partnership with Imperial War Museums, When the Whistle Blew reveals what happened to some of our sportsmen who were expected to do their duty during the conflict and the role the “beautiful games” played back home.
Lewsey said, “Touching on the areas of Military and Sport this is obviously a subject very close to my heart. This programme focussed on the story and sacrifice of both football and rugby during the great war. In particular two London clubs, but it is the story of individuals and how it changed the sport for ever after which was most moving for me”
Dippy Chaudhary, Exec Producer, said: “People in London were involved in lots of different ways in World War One. This moving story of two London clubs highlights perfectly both the heroics and conflict that the great war brought both on the battlefields and on the playing fields back home.”
More World War One At Home stories will be broadcast on BBC London 94.9 throughout the week.
World War One at Home – When the Whistle Blew: now available on iPlayer for the next seven days.
Lewsey reflects on Great War
WRU Head of Rugby, former England rugby player and Army officer Josh Lewsey, presented a documentary on BBC One (London) last night, revealing the role played by soccer and rugby players during WW1.
