Fred’s Letters is a new book which publishes letters written to his sister Annie from the trenches during World War I. Sgt Fred Emms had lived on Elland Road and, writing to family from the trenches, couldn’t help but show his love for the club by asking for the football news to be sent to him every week, as can be seen in the extract, right.

For over 100 years, those letters have sat in an old wooden box inside a drawer at a private home in Leeds. A Leeds City supporter, he was sadly killed in action on 27 September 1918 towards the end of World War I.



The book reveals the life of Fred Emms, exploring how he grew up in Victorian Britain, his life in Leeds, his experiences in the military, his tales from the trenches, the bravery he showed in the war and sadly, explores his death and legacy.

The book has been written by Jo Fox, who says: “I felt it was my duty to discover and tell Fred’s story, for his sacrifice to become part of his legacy. I thought that publishing a book was the best way to do this. My family are all Leeds United supporters and discovering Fred’s request for football news confirmed that my family have been fans for as long as a club have been on this ground.

“Fred was a footballer himself and we discovered he was captain of his local team. I hope this book allows Fred’s story to be told, for his legacy to live on but more importantly, I hope it inspires other people to remember their ancestors, to research what their relatives did in the war because as time moved on the generations become further removed from the horrors of 1914-18 and it is important we do not forget.”



The book will be launched on Thursday 11 November in Billy’s Sports Bar at Elland Road. A buffet and refreshments will be available, with everyone invited to come and learn more about Fred’s Letters, as well as being able to share your own incredible stories that you may have.

Fred’s battalion were awarded the French “Croix de Guerre” for their efforts in the 2nd Battle of Marne, which changed the entire course of the war and led to victory. Having originally grown up in Wortley, Fred’s local memories still live on to this day and he, along with many others, will be in our minds this Remembrance Day.

We Will Remember Them.