Hearts TV Hearts Direct HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FOOTBALL CLUB News Tickets & Hospitality Fixtures Squads Conference & Events Community More Since 1874 HISTORY This is our Story The History of Heart of Midlothian Football Club Heart of Midlothian Football Club boasts a long and fascinating history dating back to 1874. Club Historian David Speed is currently revamping this section of the website with a view to presenting an extensive overview of the club's history, broken into 10-year segments. It remains a work in progress, however, the result will be a comprehensive insight into what makes HMFC the club it is today. For more information on the club's history, visit the Hearts Museum. 1896 Scottish Cup Final: Hearts v Hibs at Logie Green McCrae's Battalion Never have so many owed so much to so few. Although these words were spoken by Winston Churchill in assessing the Second World War, the same applies to the conflict that preceded it. And this sentiment is well represented the Heart of Midlothian War Memorial which stands at Haymarket. In November 1914, with Heart of Midlothian comfortably leading the First Division, 16 players removed their football boots for those of the Army, enlisting to fight in France. In doing so, they became the first British team to sign up en masse. They were part of the now legendary "McCrae's Battalion" (the 16th Royal Scots) or the Provost's Battalion (the First Royal Scots) and fought valiantly. Nowhere was this more true than at the horrors of the Somme, where the British army lost 20,000 men on the first day alone. This included three Hearts players. The example of Heart of Midlothian inspired fans and fellow professionals alike to answer the call of King and country. By the time the war concluded, seven Hearts first-teamers had made the ultimate sacrifice. They were: SERGEANT DUNCAN CURRIE SERGEANT JOHN ALLAN LANCE CORPORAL JAMES BOYD CORPORAL TOM GRACIE PRIVATE ERNEST ELLIS PRIVATE JAMES SPEEDIE PRIVATE HENRY WATTIE To honour these men and the many others who fought in both world wars, a memorial was erected in 1922. It is presently situated in the Haymarket, near the offices where the first batch of players enlisted. It was removed to accommodate the tram works then returned, close to its original position. Every Remembrance Sunday, officials, players and supporters of Heart of Midlothian Football Club gather to pay their respects. There also exists a Great War Committee, which has raised funds to finance a commemorative cairn at Contalmaison in France. For more information on this, see the McCrae's Battalion Trust website. 1874-1884 1885-1894 1894-1904 1904 - 1914 1914 - 1924 1924 - 1934 1934-1944 1234567891011121314151617 HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FOOTBALL CLUB News Tickets & Hospitality Fixtures Squads Conference & Events Community More Terms & Conditions Cookies Privacy Contact Us Careers © Heart Of Midlothian Football Club 2018 - 2021. All rights reserved. Responsive Website Design, Development & Hosting by mtc.