A Valuable Contribution: The life story of Bill Sinclair MA MBE

During World War II Bill Sinclair wrote over 2,300 pages of letters to his beloved wife, Lisbeth. Discovered in his wartime valise, Bill’s photographs and private papers are now brought to life, marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War. They provide a unique perspective and alternative narrative to some of the most important events of the time. On 30th July 1941 Bill Sinclair’s daughter was born but it was on that same day that he embarked on a ship that would take him to war. It would be almost four years before Bill saw his daughter for the first time due to his posting to General Headquarters in Cairo supporting key offensives including Alamein in the Western Desert Campaign of North Africa and Cassino in Italy. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the MBE for his part in the Italian campaign. Against the backdrop of war, when circumstances permitted, football provided a brief distraction and a glimpse of normality. Bill organised and participated in matches along with famous names of the time often in front of crowds of thousands. It is an opportunity to forget, if only for a few hours.