11 Facts About Harry Goslin

1.

Henry Goslin MC, was an English footballer who played as a defender for Bolton Wanderers for the whole of his professional career.

2.

Harry Goslin suffered both relegation and promotion with the club, and in 1936 was made captain of the team by manager Charles Foweraker.

3.

On 8 April 1939, with World War II seemingly inevitable, Harry Goslin stood in front of a microphone in the middle of Burnden Park and told the assembled crowd that after the game the Bolton team would make their way to the local Territorial Army hall to sign up.

4.

When Germany invaded Poland, the cessation of official football games was immediate but local games were allowed and, subject to leave, Harry Goslin played in four games for Bolton as well as guesting for Chelsea and Norwich City when posted temporarily in the south of England and East Anglia.

5.

Harry Goslin was selected for an unofficial international for England against Scotland.

6.

The majority of the team were posted to the 53rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, and Harry Goslin, now promoted to sergeant, and the other players saw action in France leading up to the withdrawals at Dunkirk.

7.

Back in England Harry Goslin was commissioned Lieutenant for his actions in the withdrawal.

8.

The regiment were sent to East Anglia to patrol potential enemy landing sites and Harry Goslin was again selected for England, again to play Scotland, twice, as well as Wales.

9.

On 14 December 1943, a mortar bomb exploded in the tree under which Harry Goslin had made his observation point.

10.

Harry Goslin was hit in the back by shrapnel and wood and mortally wounded although he fought for life for a few more days.

11.

Harry Goslin left a wife and two children, one of whom, his son Bob, became a senior figure in the Bolton police as well as in South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire.