The Walter Williams story would not be so remarkable if it were not for the fact that he was the first Melbourne soccer player to die on the field of play, accidentally killed by a clearing ball kicked into him by a Northumberland and Durham player.
Walter William Williams was born in London in 1895 and came to Australia as a teenager. Recruited in Casterton in 1914 he was taken prisoner at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915 during the advance on Hill 971 and remained a prisoner of war until November 1918. During this time he suffered from Malaria and was once deliberately struck in the head with a rifle butt.
There is no record of him playing soccer before the war, probably because he was living and working outside soccer territory. Living in Carlton after the war he played with Preston.
The Melbourne Argus reported on 9 July 1920
FATAL BLOW FROM FOOTBALL. Old Injury by Turkish Guard Revived
“On June 26, Walter William Williams died in the Melbourne Hospital from injuries occasioned accidentally whilst playing football at Preston on June 9,” was a verdict recorded by the city coroner (Dr, R. H. Cole, P.M.), at the Morgue yesterday. lt was stated that Williams, who was a motor-body builder, aged 26 years, residing in Drummond street, Carlton, had been taken prisoner by the Turks at Gallipoli. After his release, on the signing of the armistice, he used to complain of pains in the head, brought on, he said, by a blow from the rifle butt of a Turkish guard.
On June 9 Williams was playing in a football match at Preston against the “Northumberlands.” One of the Northumberland men had just kicked the ball, which was wet and heavy, when Williams, running towards him, was struck in the face by it. He collapsed, became unconscious, and was taken to the Melbourne Hospital, where he died 17 days later.
Dr. Cole – I think the injury that this man stated was inflicted on him during his captivity by the Turks was a great factor in causing his death. The blow from the football might alone have caused temporary injury, and it certainly accelerated his death, but in my opinion the blow from the rifle butt had most to do with it.
The Herald reported on 18 September 1920
British Association A friendly game of British Association football was played between N. and D. and Preston clubs at Middle Park in aid of funds for erecting a memorial tombstone to Walter William Williams, who died from injuries received in the game between these two teams on June 19. A satisfactory amount was received as a result of a collection taken up on the ground. Teams representing Windsor and Osborne House Submarine Clubs played a return match match. At half-time Windsor had kicked one goal to nil.
