Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has put his name to the Royal British Legion’s call for sporting organizations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Murray is the latest sportsmen to join the charity’s Sport Remembers campaign, which aims to commemorate the footballers, crickets, rugby players and more who gave their lives for their country in times of conflict.
Among those is Tony Wilding – a four-time Wimbledon champion – and Jack Hillyard, whose father helped to create the modern championships and whose mother won six singles titles.
“During the First World War many tennis players left the court for the battlefield and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” Murray said.
“I find it humbling that so many players sacrificed so much for us, and I’m proud to be part of The Royal British Legion’s Sport Remembers campaign and commemorate the role played by sportsmen on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.”
The Football Association, Professional Golfers Association and Team GB have already offered their support to the campaign.
Rt Reverend Nigel McCulloch, the national chaplain to the Royal British Legion added: “The Battle of the Somme is the costliest in British history. With sport in the UK suspended for the war, athletes and players served and fell in great numbers at the Somme.
“The Royal British Legion is calling on sports at all levels to remember their contribution by holding their own commemorative event and we hope the toolkit will help with this. Sport has the ability to touch every community and we hope that Sport Remembers will unite our nation in ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
