A total of eight Lincoln City players died in military conflict while on the club's books during the two World Wars, comprising five players who were professionals at the start of the conflict and three wartime guest players.
Only Tommy Strong of the then current players had first-team experience, although David Salkeld played a handful of games during World War One. Ralph Moreton, Tom Stansbury and Sidney Broome were all professionals on the club’s books but had yet to make their first-team debut. In addition a further eight former players died.
Imps historian Donald Nannestad, part of the 1884 Collective, lists those with Imps connections who made the ultimate sacrifice
WORLD WAR ONE
Professionals from 1914-15:
Ralph Moreton: Gunner, 174th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery: died 29 November 1917; buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium
David Salkeld: Private, 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers), died 3 January 1918: buried at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, France
Tom Stansbury: Private, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, died, 1 July 1916: commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, France
Tommy Strong: Private, 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment; died, 15 July 1917: buried at Croisilles Railway Cemetery, France.
He made eight appearances in the Football League for City, with all but one being in 1914-15.
Players who appeared as guests during the war:
Alf Cooper: Private, 7th Battalion, London Regiment, died 27 August 1918: buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Bernard Harrison: Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps, died 6 January 1918: buried at Brigg Cemetery
WORLD WAR TWO
Professional from 1939-40:
Sydney Broome: Sergeant (Air Gunner), 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; died 9 November 1942: buried at Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery, Netherlands
A forward who signed from Burnley in July 1939 as a 19 year old having scored prolifically for the Lancashire club’s reserve team. He scored on his debut for City reserves in a pre-season Football League Jubilee Fund game and was included in the Midland League team at the start of the season which was cut short after only three games due to the outbreak of war.
Player who appeared as a guest during the war:
Reginald Anderson: Sergeant (Observer), 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 24 February 1942: buried at Kiel War Cemetery, Germany
The former players who died are all from the First World War:
Former first team players:
Tommy Asnip: Lance Serjeant, 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment; died 24 July 1918: buried at Locre No 10 Cemetery, Belgium
A local player who mostly appeared in the reserves but made one Football League appearance in 1904-05.
Jimmy Comrie: Private, 1st/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers; died 9 August 1916: commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium
A centre-half who made 12 Football League appearances for City in the 1910-11 season.
Arthur Hulme: Corporal, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment; died 3 October 1916: commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, France
An inside right who played for City in the 1897-98 season finishing as second top scorer with 12 goals in 29 League appearances. He moved on at the end of the season and joined Southern League club Gravesend.
George Kennedy: Company Sergeant Major, 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry, died 16 November 1917: buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
A left half who made 42 Football League appearances for City between 1906 and 1908 before signing for Chelsea.
Gordon McCulloch: Lance Serjeant, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, died 27 November 1917: commemorated at Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France
A forward who made 11 Football League appearances for City in 1913-14. He left the club but as an Army reservist was called up on the outbreak of war.
Peter Mackin: Private, 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, died 9 April 1917: buried at Roclincourt Military Cemetery, France
A forward from the North-East who signed in May 1905 and scored 16 goals in his first season. He spent a second season at Sincil Bank before moving on ending up with 54 Football League appearances and 21 goals.
William Morris: Ordinary Seaman, SS Polesley, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, died 21 September 1918: commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial
A forward who signed during 1908-09 when City were playing Midland League football after being voted out of Division Two. He scored eight goals in 12 games plus another four goals in the United League before signing for Liverpool at the end of the season.
Wally Smith: Private, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, died 11 April 1917: buried at Wancourt British Cemetery, France
A Lincoln-born inside forward who signed in Jan 1900 and went on to make 99 League and FA Cup appearances scoring 23 goals before signing for Small Heath (now Birmingham City) in May 1903.