Leeds Tykes are proud to welcome the Victoria Cross Trust to our upcoming home game against Sheffield on Saturday 15 February as we honour the legacy of Victoria Cross (VC) recipients and raise awareness of the vital work this charity does.
A special match day tribute
As part of this special occasion, Keith Lumley from the Victoria Cross Trust will deliver a short speech about the charity’s mission and how supporters can get involved. In a rare and exciting opportunity, he will also be bringing a genuine Victoria Cross medal, offering fans a unique chance to see this symbol of extraordinary bravery up close.
Rugby and the Victoria Cross
Rugby has a long and profound connection with military history. Many rugby players served with distinction during wartime, with some making the ultimate sacrifice. In WWI alone, 133 international rugby players lost their lives, including four members of England’s Five Nations-winning scrum from 1914. One of them, Ronnie Poulton-Palmer, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Brendan Gallagher’s research in The Rugby Paper highlights these incredible stories, demonstrating how the sport and its players answered the call to duty. You can read more about this history in Gallagher’s article: Balm Before the Storm – England’s 1914 Slam.
The Victoria Cross Trust: preserving the legacy of bravery
The Victoria Cross Trust is dedicated to restoring and maintaining the graves of VC recipients who are not covered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Many of these graves have been left unmarked, forgotten, or fallen into disrepair, with no surviving family members to care for them. The charity works tirelessly to ensure these heroes are remembered with dignity and respect.
Their work extends beyond grave restoration—they also strive to educate the public about the lives of VC recipients, ensuring their bravery is never forgotten. Through partnerships with families, local authorities, regimental associations, and schools, the Trust helps create memorials and lasting tributes to those who displayed the highest levels of courage in service to their country.
How you can help
As a club, we encourage our supporters to learn more about the incredible work of the Victoria Cross Trust and how they can contribute to preserving the memory of these extraordinary servicemen. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness, every effort helps to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.
🔗Learn more: Victoria Cross Trust website
💙Support their work: donate here
Join us at The Sycamores for this special occasion, witness history in the form of a real Victoria Cross medal, and take a moment to honour the bravery of those who gave so much.