Wilfred Percy Nevill, known as ‘Billie’ or ‘Bill’, was one of the best-known soldiers to emerge from the Battle of the Somme as a result of his decision to lead his men forward on 1 July by kicking two footballs ahead of them as they attacked.
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 and was sent to the Somme where it remained until the beginning of the battle.
In May 1916 Nevill, by now a Captain, went home on leave. He and his fellow officers were concerned about how their men would behave 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 07.27 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. The story of the footballs was widely reported in the press. In Britain it stood for courage and strength of character. In Germany it was seen as a clear example of British madness.
