William Dalton Lycett

William Dalton Lycett was born on 28 November 1890 in Haverton Hill, Durham. A blog, ‘Will Lycett’s Diary’  documents:

In 1910 the family [six boys and one girl] migrated to Melbourne and for some time Will was very lonely until he became a member of the Burns Club. Here he played soccer and became a member of the Victorian Soccer Team, and here also he met his Daisy (Daisy Gertrude Hill, b. 24.1.1891).

Despite his rise to prominence, playing one game for the Victorian team and being noted as a strong defender for Burns, his record in the newspapers is slight. Moreover, his brothers appear not to have shared his passion for the game.

‘Will Lycett’s Diary’ continues:

When war broke out he enlisted, on 12th September 1914, and was sent to Broadmeadows Army Camp.   His diaries tell the story of his war, and inadvertently, much of himself. What they do not tell is the story of the women at home, his ‘Mam’ who at one time had her husband and four sons in France and knew the grief of losing a son, and Daisy, whose fiance and two brothers were there.  Her brother Vic also never returned.  It is cause for regret that none of those letters written and received during the four year period have survived, they would surely have completed the picture.

Will’s significance partly rests on his diary which is a remarkable documentation of the humdrum and terror of war and football’s place among that. After the war Will seems to be lost to the game – something foreshadowed in his diaries which fail to mention soccer after May 1917 – preferring to focus his energies on his wife and Freemasonry. And “despite living in Australia for 65 years still cheered for the English cricket team and was always an English gentle man.”

Will died on 5 April 1975 in Heidelberg, Victoria, at the age of 84. 

The following are a selection of excerpts from Will’s diary. They document many games of soccer but interestingly embed them in the day-to-day life of being a soldier at war.

Saturday 20th February, 1915 On again at the hospital at 7.30 a.m., only had four patients to day. We the 4th F. Amb. and our camp was inspected at 10 a.m. by Inspector General Battie V.C. who I believe is the head of the entire Australasian A.M.C. I have not heard yet what the outcome of the inspection is. This afternoon I played for the 4th F. Amb. soccer team against the East Lancashire R.F.A. on the Heliopolis sports clubs ground. After a good game we won by one goal to nil. This is our first match and I played centre-half. I enjoyed the game very much, but was a little tired at the finish.

Friday 2nd April, 1915 Reveille was not till 6.30 a.m. this morning and we paraded at 7 a.m. when we were informed that as it was “Good Friday” we were to have a holiday and the day was to be as a Sunday. At 10.15 a.m. our corps played a soccer match against the 16th Battalion Infantry. I was playing centre half for our corps and after a hard game and an element of luck on our side we won by 3 goals to 2. I had the good fortune to score the second goal for our side. We played on the Heliopolis sporting Club’s ground so I returned to camp straight away and had a good shower before dinner.

Tuesday 28th September, 1915 Reveille at 6.30 a.m. and on parade at 7 a.m. with physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Last night General Monash anounced a British victory along 50 miles of the western front, our troops still being very active, also the Russians have stemmed the German tide. At 11 a.m. this morning had to go with party for rations after which I finished for day. This afternoon Captain Jeffries gave us a “soccer” football which had been sent to him from Egypt so we had a good rough and tumble till tea time.

Tuesday 26th October, 1915 Reveille at 6.30 a.m. on parade at 7 a.m. Physical drill till 7.30 a.m. Fairly cold again this morning, dull and heavy sky. Am on ration fatigue today. Paraded at 10 a.m. and fell out from drill to perform my duties. At 11 a.m. went with rest of fatigue party to Army Service and drew rations before dinner. Was to have played 13th Battalion at soccer this afternoon, match fell through so we played a team of navy men off one of our battleships, just come from China, made a draw no goals being scored. After tea paraded for roll call at 6 p.m. and turned in 6.30 p.m. Not feeling too well, am a bit run down. Very windy day again today.

Thursday 23rd December, 1915 After dinner we played a game of football (soccer) with a ball of the Royal Scots Territorials and we got beat 6 goals to 0. Had a quiet evening and turned in about 9 p.m. 

Monday 10th January, 1916 New routine today ordered by Divisional Headquarters. Reveille 6.30 a.m. parade 7 a.m. physical drill till 7.30 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade 9.30 a.m. marched off over sand for squad drill, signalling etc. till noon. I was called out from it this morning to assist dentist with extractions. Dinner 12.30 and on parade again till 4.30 p.m. Party of us were allowed to march to Indian Camp to play soccer football match. Won by 5 goals to 1. Went and had shower bath and back at camp 6 p.m. received my new diary today. In bed 8 p.m. lights out 10 p.m.

Thursday 13th January, 1916 Reveille 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7 a.m. Physical drill till 7.30 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. On parade again 9.30 a.m. Major Clayton and Captain Jefferies took us for route march to Ferry Post on the Suez Canal about 4 miles, back for dinner. After dinner marched to football ground and played Division Headquarters Sig. R.E. soccer. Beat them 3 – 0. Back to camp and on parade 5 p.m. for roll call. Had read after tea, in bed about 7 p.m. and asleep long before lights out at 10 p.m.

Saturday 5th February, 1916 Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 a.m. roll call, orders and gargle, then went on hospital duty. Breakfast 8 a.m. then cleaned up for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Afterwards dressings etc. till dinner time. After dinner and cleaned up, renewed dressings and went to football ground. Our corps played 13th Battalion at soccer, we won 1 – 0.

Sunday 13th February, 1916 Reveille 6 a.m. on parade 6.45 roll call, orders and gargle then hospital duty. Breakfast 8 a.m. cleaned up for inspection by O.C. at 9.15 a.m. Dressings etc. afterwards. Our Adjutant Captain Furber sent into No 1. Staty(?) Hospital sick, also O.C. in bed sick, evidently booze up last week has upset them. After dinner played soccer for our corps against New Zealand Engineers. We lost 3-2. Went straight and played game of rugby football for our corps against New Zealand Ambulance lost by 6 points to 3. Parade 5 p.m., roll call, gargle. Wrote letters tonight, turned in 9 p.m. Lights out 10 p.m.

Monday 9th October, 1916 Had a dozen sick men in during night, got them away to D.R.S. pretty early as had to thoroughly clean out, some of the “heads” coming to have a look round. Had everything in perfect order but “Heads” didn’t turn up. Sick parade at 9 a.m. and off duty at 12 noon. Went into Reninghelst on bike at 1.30 p.m. and played Soccer football with our Amb. against a motor convoy team, made draw 2 goals each. Back for tea at 5 p.m. after which played cards till 8.30 p.m. when turned in. On duty 12 midnight. Capt. Bentley went to England today on leave.

Saturday 11th November, 1916 Woke about 12.30 midnight by guns, bombardment terrible, worst I’ve heard, ground was shaking, also could hear aeroplanes and anti-aircraft guns. Enemy planes dropped bombs on “Amiens” and on Corps Rest station causing about 50 casualties among staff and sick, about dozen killed. Reveille 7 a.m., on parade 7.30 a.m., roll call and orders. My section (A) for duty today. Busy all morning with sick parades. This afternoon we played soccer match with Royal Engineers who beat us 3 goals to nil, pretty hard game. Bombardment proceeding all day but more intense again tonight. Had stroll after tea and in bed 8 p.m.

Sunday 12th November, 1916 Bombardment going all night, various rumours afloat. Was too foggy last night for aeroplanes. Reveille 7 a.m., on parade 7.30 a.m., roll call and orders. On parade again at 8.45 a.m. when marched to Divisional baths at “Hailly” about 3 miles away. Had bath and back for dinner. Guns still going all day without break. Received letter this afternoon then watched a soccer game for about an hour. Sorted my kit out ready to move tomorrow and after tea went to Y.M.C.A. service in a barn. In bed 8.30 p.m.

Friday 5th January, 1917 Reveille 7 a.m. After breakfast had shave and good wash in River Anen. General parade at 9 a.m., roll call and orders, our section (A) for duty. Detailed men to assist at sick parade then went to cafe and had coffee with some of the boys. After dinner Lieut. Kirkland, 4th bgde Machine Gun Coy asked me to play for his team (soccer) against Anzac Hdqtrs, did so and we won 4-0. Back to mill for tea then had game of bridge and into bed at 7.30 p.m.

Sunday 11th February, 1917 Up 7.30 a.m., busy arranging things. Played soccer against A.O.C. lost 4-1. 

Thursday 1st March, 1917 Reveille 7 a.m. Breakfast 7.30. On parade 9 a.m., marched up road and had physical drill, squad and stretcher drill and semaphoring till 12 noon. Holiday this afternoon, went to Ribemont and saw 4th M.G.’s play 1st Grenadier Guards soccer, Guards won 5-2. Back just after tea. Enemy still retiring. Had game of bridge and turned in 9 p.m.

Sunday 18th March, 1917 Routine as usual, played Soccer against 3rd F. Amb., lost 2-0. Beautiful day, splendid news of allied successes. Had game of bridge and in bed 9 p.m.

Wednesday 21st March, 1917 Up at 7.30 a.m., had breakfast and at gas school 9.15 a.m. Had lecture, helmet drill and went through strong concentration of chlorine gas for test. Had to play Rugby football for our corps against 4th Machine Gunners, had good game, draw 8 points each. Packed my gear and joined section at Laviaville, moving in morning. Great numbers cavalry moving up. In bed 9 p.m.

Tuesday 29th May, 1917 Was up 6 a.m., reveille 6.30. Parade 7 a.m., physical drill till 7.30 p.m. On parade 9 a.m., gas drill and route march till 11.30 a.m. On parade again 1.30, gas drill for half hour. At 2 p.m. played 12th Field Amb. soccer, won 3-1. After tea went to boxing tournament and spent enjoyable evening. All heads present. Turned in 9.30 p.m. Been very hot day again.