Sheffield in the Second World War

 

Sheffield United players who died in WWII:

• Ernest “Ernie” Jackson
  
• Played for Sheffield United before the war.
• Served in the Royal Navy during WWII.
• Died when his ship was sunk in 1940.
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• Jack Pickering
  
• Important note: Jack Pickering, a Sheffield United legend, served in WWII but survived.
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Sheffield Wednesday players who died in WWII:

• Tommy Walker
  
• Played for Sheffield Wednesday and later Middlesbrough.
• Served in the RAF during WWII.
• Killed in 1945 in an air crash in England, just months before the end of the war.
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Other Sheffield-connected players:

• Fred Keetley
  
• From a famous Sheffield footballing family (the Keetleys played for both Sheffield clubs).
• Fred served during WWII, but records are unclear whether he died during the war or shortly afterward from related causes.
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• Amateur/works team players (e.g., those playing for Sheffield steelworks teams like Hadfields FC, Firth Brown FC, etc.)
  
• A large number of young footballers from the Sheffield Works League enlisted in the forces, especially the RAF and Army, and many were killed — but again, these were often semi-professional or amateur players.
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Some wider points:

• Because WWII was a longer total war and many footballers were older professionals by 1939, fewer prime first-team players died compared to WWI.
• During WWII, football leagues were suspended, and regional “wartime leagues” were played instead — so lots of players guested for other clubs or joined military teams.
• Sheffield Wednesday and United both heavily contributed players to the war effort, especially in the RAF and Royal Navy.