Walney family's pride as war hero is honoured

Bill and Matt Goslin, of Walney, were guests of honour as the Royal Artillery recreated the route taken by the famous Wartime Wanderers during the Second World War.

Bill’s father Harry Goslin captained Bolton Wanderers in the 1930s, and after the whole team signed up for the army, he led his players into battle in France, north Africa and Italy.

He famously gave a rousing pre-match speech in 1939 calling on spectators to volunteer for the military.

Harry was the only one of the Wanderers not to return home, having been killed by a German shell in 1943.

Bill and Matt were invited to join members of the 103 Regiment, Royal Artillery, as they travelled through Italy as part of a field study trip retracing the steps of the 53rd Bolton Royal Artillery.

Describing the trip Bill, 80, of West Shore Park, said: “It was completely and unexpectedly beautiful.

“The relationship Matthew and I have with the army is absolutely fantastic.

“They were so thrilled that we were there and that we could go. It was a brilliant trip.”

The team were joined by a military historian who was able to described the stages of the Italian campaign in exact detail.

Matt, 45, of Teasdale Road, Walney, said: “They were able to tell us what happened on this day, at this time and in this location. It was so exact, it was like going back in time.

“We were literally retracing his steps. So much so that we met a woman whose house borders one of the sites we visited and she told us her mother remembered seeing the Wanderers.”

Harry Goslin is buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery close to where he fell.

For Bill, who was just five when his father went to war and eight when he learned the tragic news, the trip was the first time he had been able to visit the grave.

He said: “I was three and half years old when he made his speech at the Wanderers game but I don’t have many memories of him.

“It was a very emotional trip, especially the ceremony at the grave side.”