Their loyalty took them from the playingfield to the Battlefield

Born 9th November, 1909, Willington, Derbyshire. Married Becky and had two sons. Robert & William (Bil) He played for the Nottingham club, Boots Athletic, before Charles Fowseraker, the manager of Bolton Wanderers, signed him for a fee of £25 in 1930. A tall, athletic, ramrod-straight man with piercing blue eyes, whose physical presence combined with his pleasant but firm personality made him the ideal choice for club captain. Under his astute leadership the club's fortunes improved. Regarded as one of the best defenders in British football. Married, to BECCE, a stylish, intelligent and proud lady with whom they had two sons, Robert and William. Goslin began preparing for his future after football by opening a sports shop in Bolton in 1938. 

Born 19th February, 1919, in Sunderland, making him the youngest player to actually serve when war was declared. A wing-half, he represented Durham Schoolboys when he was 13 years old. After he left school he undertook an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. He played for Usworth Colliery and Charles Foweraker, signed him in 1938. Nat Lofthouse played with Forrest and later recalled: "You couldn't think of any other player before or since like Ernie. He was remarkably, unbelievably fit. The crowd used to love him, and encourage him. He used to do all these antics, such as backflips when he put a good cross in, and the crowd used to clap. The players used to clap. He was the life and soul of the team. I've never seen a happier guy." It was this positive attitude to life and his humour that kept Westwood and the team focused during the most difficult of times. 

Born 27th October, 1914, in Lever Bridge. He joined Bolton Wanderers in 1934, Married Betty. when they were promoted to the first division. He became a close friend of Harry Goslin, along with their wives BECCE and BETTY, who was to sadly lose their firstborn son whilst Hurst was on the retreat to Dunkirk. A very serious guy, tea-total, but would sometimes join the others for one drink after a particularly hard battle. His loyalty to Harry and his country was unquestionable. Characteristics that made him a no-nonsense player on the football pitch. 

Born 26th November, 1917, in Outwood, Surrey. Later married girlfriend  Margaret, son Michael. He joined the ground staff of Bolton Wanderers and made his league debut against Liverpool in October 1936. Close friends with Stan Hanson and Albert Geldard, with whom he shared digs on match days. He and Stan became almost inseparable throughout the war, especially watching each others backs in the most dangerous situations – but would seldom discuss any of it with their families. Except recounting their near death experience at Dunkirk. Would also participate in and support the numerous pranks and scams that Forrest and Westwood got up to in various theatres of war. 

Born 14th June, 1918, in Tonypandy, Wales. Married Bolton girl Ellen a friend of Harry's wife. He joined Bolton in 1936, although he enlisted with the whole team, he was not posted to North Africa or Middle East, but rejoined them in Italy – for what was to be one of the hardest, fiercest and bloodiest battles of the war at Monte Cassino. After the war he resumed his football career for a while before returning to Wales with Ellen and their son. He set up a local building company and they lived in one of the houses he built.

William James Ithell (7 February 1916 – 3 January 1986), known as Billy Ithell, was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a centre half in the Football League for Bolton Wanderers and Swindon Town.[1]  

After the war he went onto play for Bolton, Swindon and Boston United before becoming a football manager. He managed four teams in the 1950's before retiring.