Sergeant Jimmy Speirs MM - Rangers player

[colin stein 9]

You learn something new all the time. Came across this on Twitter. Sgt. Jimmy Speirs MM born on this day in 1886. Killed in action on 20th August 1917 at Passchendaele.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1241811627898548226

https://twitter.com/x/status/1241817399101358080

 

[bullen an la]

i have a pic of his gravestone in france, visited it in 2018
no idea how to post a pic.

 

[Gio#56]

 

[RMHBear]

It’s a cracking song,I’m sure it was played pre-match 2 or 3 seasons ago

 

[colin stein 9]

Found this as well

Sgt James Hamilton “Jimmy” Speirs (1886-1917) -...

M M, S/18170. 7th Bn. Cameron Highlanders. 20th August 1917. VI.E.15.

www.findagrave.com

 

[Bob Agg]

I wrote an article on Rangers War heroes some years ago, included in it were some details on Jimmy Spiers....

James Hamilton Spiers - 2nd Lieutenant, 7th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, 15th Scots. Division​

A striker who played for Rangers between 1905 and 1908, he played 62 games scoring 29 goals. He went on to play for Clyde, Bradford and Leeds before retiring from the game in 1915. He enlisted to his regiment upon 'retiring' from football despite him not being required to do so, his two sons making him exempt from the nationwide conscription. Winning the Military Medal for his deeds at the second Battle of the Arras, he was promoted to Sergeant and shipped into the Battle of Passchendeale which was well underway. Before going over the top, he wrote a letter to his wife informing her that his men would be 'going over the parapet tomorrow.' On 20th August 1917, James Spiers was killed in action a few hours after writing that letter and is buried at Dochy Farm New British Cemetery, Zonnebeke, 7 miles north east of Ypres, Belgium.

 

[1690]

In 2017 they played Sing for the Boys at half time on the anniversary of his death, was very moving. I’d have it more often, it’s a great song.

 

[Gio#56]

It’s a cracking song,I’m sure it was played pre-match 2 or 3 seasons ago

ye played at our ground and valley parade.

I often listen to this and this 1 (think it was the same song writter).

 

[RMHBear]

ye played at our ground and valley parade.

I often listen to this and this 1 (think it was the same song writter).

This is another belter,was on our bus playlist for a while,there’s a live version on YouTube somewhere

 

[Gio#56]

This is another belter,was on our bus playlist for a while,there’s a live version on YouTube somewhere

ye the live version is the one I have bookmarked. Really great words and very moving graphics.

 

[Derek1960]

Had not seen this. A terrific tribute. Thankyou

 

[Union]

We didn’t get to see his grave when we done the trip in 2018 but we’re booked up for the battlefield tour this September and wlll definitely head to see it then.
That’s if things get back to normal again!
Here’s hoping.

 

[Masonic Penny]

Not ashamed to admit to shedding a few tears watching that.