London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

‘Long way to go’: Family of Britain’s first black Army officer on race equality

‘Long way to go’: Family of Britain’s first black Army officer on race equality

Children from BAME backgrounds continue to face greater challenges to their life chances, said Action for Children.

Britain has “a long way to go” to tackle race inequality, the grand-nephew of the first British black Army officer said as he reflected on his ancestor’s struggle in overcoming adversity.

Walter Tull served in the First World War as a second lieutenant, leading men into battle at a time when the Army forbade a person of non-European descent becoming an officer.

He died aged 29 in March 1918 while leading an attack on the Western Front during the second Battle of the Somme.

As well as being one of the most celebrated British black soldiers of the Great War, Mr Tull was also one of the first black professional football players in England, playing for Tottenham Hotspur despite facing racial discrimination.


His grand-nephew, Edward Finlayson, 69, from Edinburgh, said Mr Tull’s remarkable story of resilience continues to inspire so many people more than 100 years after his death, with young players of Manchester United’s under-12s club recently writing to him of their joy in learning about the late footballer at an exhibition.

But racial inequality continues to hamper the lives of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people, Mr Finlayson said, as he described how he witnessed the civil rights movement and anti-racist campaigns that dominated the Western world in the 1950s and 60s.

“Almost 60 years from that period, and we are still looking at images and stories of Black Lives Matter, and that’s not just in the US, we have cases in the UK,” he told the PA news agency.

Mr Finlayson believes the systemic disadvantages faced by black people, with regards to pay and opportunities, is growing.

He said: “That should be a matter of huge concern because of the effect that’s bound to have on the wrong side of the divide, for those who don’t get the opportunities or treated with respect, and then condemned for failing to improve themselves by a section of society who know little about privilege and how many people’s lives operate.

“It’s horrifying, we have still got a long way to go, there is no room for complacency.”

Mr Tull and his brother, Edward Tull-Warnock, were orphaned at a young age and taken into the care of the National Children’s Home, now known as Action for Children, in Bethnal Green, east London.


A black postbox featuring an image of Second Lieutenant Walter Tull in Glasgow, one of four special edition postboxes marking Black History Month (Andrew Milligan/PA)


A black postbox featuring an image of Second Lieutenant Walter Tull in Glasgow, one of four special edition postboxes marking Black History Month (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The brothers were lucky that they were given an education and adopted by loving families which led to their success, Mr Finlayson said, with Edward Tull-Warnock qualifying to become the first black dentist in the UK.

But children from BAME backgrounds continue to face greater challenges to their life chances, said Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children.

“We know child poverty in this country is too high and rising even before the coronavirus crisis – and that black and Asian children face the biggest poverty risks,” he said.

“We know that there are disturbing inequalities in the proportions of children from different ethnic groups in the care system and that young BAME people are less likely to access mental health services early.

“Policymakers need to do more to consult directly with BAME children, young people and families as well as encourage positive BAME role models, and challenge negative behaviour and stereotypes.

“And we too in the charity sector need to respond to prejudice and hardship with action.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×