Sportsmen's Battalions

The 23rd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's), better known as the Sportsmen's Battalions, were among the Pals battalions formed in the Great War. Rather than be taken from a small geographical area, these particular battalions were largely made up of men who had made their name in sports such as cricket, boxing and football or the media.

The first battalion, which accepted men up to the age of 45, was formed at the Hotel Cecil in The Strand on 25 September 1914 by E. Cunliffe-Owen after Mrs Cunliffe-Owen gained permission from Lord Kitchener. In June 1915 it was attached to 99th Brigade, 33rd Division, it landed at Boulogne in November 1915 and on 25 November transferred with Brigade to 2nd Division. The battalion saw action at Vimy Ridge, the Somme and the battle for Delville Wood. It included several first class cricketers, the lightweight boxing champion of England, MP Herbert Raphael and the author John Chessire. Taking Surrey County Cricket Club as an example, Ernie Hayes, Bill Hitch and Andy Sandham joined the battalion.

The 24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's) was raised in London on the 20 November 1914 by Cunliffe-Owen, became attached to 99th Brigade, 33rd Division in June 1915 and, transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division in December 1915.