Trio to; G/1669 A/CPL Benjamin HOWE Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regt ) Football Battalion

Nicely toned trio with the original ribbons all correctly named  to G/1669 A/CPL Benjamin HOWE Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regt ) Football Battalion 

Also shown as W.I.A 3/7/16 with a gun shot wound to left leg.

Luckily his service records still exist and show him moving around the regiment into his re-enlistment into the TF post war with the army number 6195000

His address being 57 Compton St, Kings Cross , London.

The 17th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment was officially known as the 1st Football Battalion, raised in December 1914 by William Joynson-Hicks MP specifically to recruit professional and amateur footballers. A 23rd Battalion (2nd Football Battalion) followed.
The number 23 is the key here. Benjamin is shown moving to the 23rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which was the 2nd Football Battalion, formed in 1915. This strongly suggests he was either:
∙ A footballer of some standing (professional or semi-professional), or
∙ Recruited specifically through football club networks

∙ Being recorded in the 23rd Middlesex is a strong indicator of a football connection.

The FGCM (Field General Court Martial) entry for drunkenness on active service in March 1918 is also notable but not unusual, and the fact he was restored to L/Cpl rank just two months later suggests it was not considered a serious character failing by his officers.