A lot of research preceded my trip to the Somme area of France to join many others who have felt a duty to pay their respects to those "killed in action". Prior to my departure I had details of about 50 players who were killed in the area and, armed with good maps I found enough to complete a "killed in action", buried in France volume. Alas due to their tender years few of those who died had time to achieve much in the game. I have included Gerry Chalk of Kent whose plane was shot down in 1943 and lay undiscovered until 1989. He is buried in the cemetery in Wimille from where The Channel can be seen. The other featured is Major Booth of Yorkshire killed on the blackest day of the Somme (1st July 1916) who is buried on the infamous Serre Road final home to thousands of British serviceman.

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