Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we delve into a story that combines the worlds of sport and sacrifice—an extraordinary moment in history when the players of Heart of Midlothian Football Club, or Hearts, set aside their boots and took up arms. On this day, November 25, 1914, sixteen players enlisted en masse to serve in World War I. Their decision reflected courage and patriotism, but it also came at a devastating cost.

In August 1914, the outbreak of World War I cast a shadow over Europe. While Britain declared war on Germany, debates raged over whether professional football should continue. Hearts had started their 1914–15 season with unmatched brilliance, winning their first eight matches, including a 2–0 triumph over reigning champions Celtic. Despite their stellar form, a sense of moral obligation hung heavy.

Public opinion grew increasingly critical of professional football during wartime. Some saw it as a frivolous distraction while young men fought and died. A powerful letter published in the Edinburgh Evening News suggested that Hearts adopt the temporary nickname, “The White Feathers of Midlothian,” to shame them into action. But Hearts had already been quietly preparing for duty.

Under the leadership of their manager, John McCartney, the club encouraged enlistment and held military drills during training sessions. On match days, recruitment officers canvassed Tynecastle Park for volunteers. By mid-November, the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and other regiments appealed directly to fans and players. The turning point came with the formation of the 16th Royal Scots, also known as McCrae’s Battalion, led by Sir George McCrae.

On November 25, 1914, eleven Hearts players, alongside supporters and ticket-holders, stepped forward to enlist. Over the following days, additional players joined their teammates, bringing the total to sixteen. They were the first football team in Britain to enlist as a group, setting an example that resonated across the nation. Players from rival clubs, including Hibernian and Raith Rovers, soon followed their lead.

This act of solidarity came at a cost. The demanding military training was added to their rigorous football schedules. Hearts embarked on a 20-match unbeaten streak that season, despite players enduring long nocturnal marches and exhausting drills. However, as the toll of war preparation grew, their performance waned. By season’s end, Celtic overtook them for the league title.

The Edinburgh press remained unwavering in its admiration for Hearts, hailing them as the moral champions of Scotland. A poignant editorial declared, “There is only one football champion in Scotland, and its colours are maroon and khaki.”

When McCrae’s Battalion went to the Western Front, it faced the full horrors of trench warfare. On July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, three Hearts players—Duncan Currie, Harry Wattie, and Ernest Ellis—were killed in action. The war would ultimately claim the lives of seven Hearts players: James Speedie, Tom Gracie, Duncan Currie, Harry Wattie, Ernest Ellis, James Boyd, and John Allan.

Others returned home with life-altering injuries. Paddy Crossan was gassed and wounded multiple times, while Bob Mercer, the team captain, suffered severe injuries that ended his football career. These players paid an immense price, embodying the bravery and sacrifice of their generation.

In 1922, a memorial clock was unveiled in Edinburgh’s Haymarket to honor the fallen Hearts players and supporters. The Secretary of State for Scotland, Robert Munro, described Hearts’ sacrifice as a debt of gratitude the nation could never repay. To this day, the Heart of Midlothian War Memorial stands as a poignant reminder of their heroism.

Every Remembrance Sunday, Hearts players, staff, and supporters gather to pay tribute. In France, a cairn in Contalmaison marks the site where McCrae’s Battalion fought and fell. The legacy of their courage resonates, a testament to the spirit of a football club and its community during one of history’s darkest hours.

As we reflect on the events of November 25, 1914, let us remember the Hearts players who made the ultimate sacrifice, trading their love of the game for the love of their country. Their story is one of courage, camaraderie, and commitment—a legacy that continues to inspire.

Thank you for joining us on This Day in Scottish History. I’m Colin MacDonald. Join us next time for another remarkable tale from Scotland’s past. Until then, Haste Ye Back.

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