Wilfred 'Billie' Nevill led his men forward on the first day of the Battle of the Somme by kicking two footballs ahead of them as they attacked.

Billie Nevill was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1914 and a month later was posted to the 8th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, part of the 18th Division. After completing its training in Britain, the 18th Division went to France in July 1915. It was sent to the Somme where it remained until the beginning of the battle.

Equipment

Identity Disc: British (Nevill)

White metal disc suspended on neck chain. W.P. NEVILL 8 EAST SURREY REGT 15 Montpelier Rd. Twickenham C of E.
© IWM (EQU 5258)

Billie Nevill's silver identity disc.

See object record

In May 1916 Nevill, now a captain, went home on leave. He and his fellow officers were concerned about how their men would react when finally called on to go over the top. To provide his soldiers with a reassuringly familiar symbol, Nevill bought two footballs and took them back with him to France.

At 7.27am on 1 July 1916, when the artillery bombardment lifted, Nevill and another officer kicked the balls into no man's land and followed in pursuit. Their goal was the village of Montauban. Approaching the German barbed wire, the advance hesitated and Nevill dashed forward to move it on. He was killed instantly.

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