Help Solve the Mystery of Putney Town's Forgotten Footballers

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Club on quest to find out the fate of their Great War predecessors

The restored version of the Putney Town FC team photo of 1912. Picture: Putney Town FC

November 10, 2026

A remarkable piece of Putney's sporting history has sparked an appeal to uncover the fate of a football team whose lives were transformed by the First World War.

Researchers at Putney Town Football Club have been investigating a recently rediscovered photograph showing the club's original team posing on Putney Common in 1912, just two years before the outbreak of war. The image captures 15 named players and officials in a moment of ordinary local life, unaware of the conflict that would soon reshape their futures.

What began as the rediscovery of an old photograph has evolved into a historical detective story. The image came to light after being passed to a local resident by Ken Bernard, whose grandfather is believed to have been one of the players. The find was particularly significant because the modern Putney Town Football Club, established in 2004, had no knowledge that a club of the same name had existed almost a century earlier. Working with local historians, military researchers and club sponsor Thomas Reid of Specsavers Putney, volunteers have spent years tracing the identities and wartime experiences of the men pictured.

The original of the photo given to the club by Ken Barnard whose grandfather is believed to be one of the team

The names listed in the photograph are: A.W.Wood (Chairman), J.C.Kendrick Esq (secretary S.E.L), J.Bulton, H.Clark, H.Reeves, A.Bernard, R.Aplin (Groundsman), J.Wallace (Trainer), H.Pooley, J.Hawkins, A.Logan, C.Roberton (Captain), J.Graham, H. Wren, W.Franklin (Hon. Sec).

Their research has already uncovered one extraordinary story. Jason Bolton, who was associated with the club in 1912, enlisted with the Middlesex Regiment in January 1915 and was sent to France just weeks later. During fighting that year he suffered severe gunshot wounds that eventually led to the amputation of his left foot. Despite his injuries, his bravery was recognised with both a Mention in Despatches and the Military Medal before he was discharged from service in 1916.

Other fascinating leads have emerged, although some remain unconfirmed. Researchers believe that the club's honorary secretary, William Franklin, may be the same William James Franklin who served with the London Regiment and became a prisoner of war in 1918. Another potential link connects player and committee member James Alfred Kendrick to the Royal Flying Corps, the forerunner of the Royal Air Force. However, further evidence is still needed to establish these connections beyond doubt.

Now the club is appealing to local residents, family historians and descendants of former Putney families to help solve the remaining mysteries. Researchers hope readers may have photographs, family papers, military records or personal memories that could shed light on the men in the picture and what became of them after the war.

The story has also created a unique link between past and present. On this Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, members of today's Putney Town Football Club returned to the exact location on Putney Common where their predecessors stood in 1912 and recreated the historic photograph. Before their home fixture, the team also observed a two-minute silence in memory of the original players and all those who served during the Great War.

The current Putney Town FC squad recreate the 1912 photo. Picture: Putney Town FC

Club officials hope the appeal will help complete the picture of a forgotten team whose story reflects both the history of football in Putney and the profound impact of war on local communities.

Anyone interested in contributing information can view the research and the original photograph at the club's heritage project website.

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