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Post by gallito on Nov 11, 2015 13:47:47 GMT -5
The Ode of Remembrance They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
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Post by barrumundi on Nov 11, 2015 18:23:54 GMT -5
Also Remembrance Day in Australia.
Significance of poppies
Red poppies are often worn on Remembrance Day. The tradition has its origins in a poem written in 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a doctor in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps. Lieutenant Colonel McCrae noticed that, despite the devastation caused by the war to towns, farms and forests, thousands of small red poppies began growing everywhere in Spring. This inspired his poem, In Flanders Fields:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
The poem was first published in England’s Punch magazine in December 1915 and within months came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in World War 1.
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Post by gallito on Nov 11, 2015 20:10:24 GMT -5
Mother, tell them I'm only 17: Soldier's last letters home A documentation of endearing naivety, Steven Brown's final correspondence stands as a poignant reminder of the terrifying responsibilities shouldered by inexperienced troops Stephen Brown’s tragic story begins with an undated letter from early July 1914, after he enlisted in the regular Army Reserve. The teenager – who claimed to be 17½ – may not have appreciated war was imminent as he talks only of his contrition for an unknown transgression at home. Stephen appears to join his battalion during the Second Battle of Ypres. The postcards from Rouen may have been his last. His is one of the 58,896 names listed as missing in the Ypres Salient. 5th Bn, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Winchester. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I am getting on all right in the Army. I hope that you are all well as I am myself. I am very sorry for what I done when I was at home and will pay you back when I get some more pay. I like the Army very well for I am going to join the Regulars when I have done my time in the Reserve. Then I shall be able to pay you back for I get 30/- [30 shillings/£1.50] as a bounty. I hope you and Dad will forgive me for what I done when at home. I cannot write no more at present for I have to do some more work. Trusting you will forgive me. I remain your son, Stephen Brown ------------------------------- Early July, 1914: He appears to have received forgiveness from his mother by his next letter, written in early August, as it describes other reservists being called up. It dwells on pay but his real concern is his feelings for his family. His love and greetings to his siblings make his naivety and youth very clear. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I am getting on alright. I hope [you] are the same. I am sorry I did not write before. We are so busy that I have had [no] time. We are confined to barracks so I can not get a stamp… I hope Tommy and Archie Hammond are all right. Give my love to Kitty, Lillie, Maggie, Freddy and Ted. I hope Dad is quite well… I thank you for forgiving me. I know I don’t deserve it. Tell Auntie Tot and Uncle Bob that I am getting on fine. Is Uncle Bob been called up yet? We are calling all our Reservists up and those on leave. This is all at present. I remain your loving son, Stephen ------------------------------- August 4-9: Revealing of the fact this soldier is just a young boy, he adds kisses for Mother, Lillie, Kitty, Fred, Maggie, Ted and Dad, sends love again to his aunts and uncles and fills the last page with kisses, as a child might. Stephen expresses hope that he will be home soon for the weekend. Dear Mother Just a line to [let] you know that I got the fags on Tuesday. I thank you very much for sending them… They have stopped the weekend passes as there are a lot of absences, but I shall ask the Captain for permission to come on pass. We are going to the front on the 19 of November. Dear mother, do not worry about me for by God’s help I shall come home well. Give my love to Lillie, Kitty and Freddie and tell him I will come and see him by and by. You will receive 3/0 shilling from me and the same from the War Office which will make six all together. Give my love to all… This is all at present. So goodbye from your loving son, Steve ------------------------------- November: The process of mobilisation continues and, after moving to Sheerness in November, Stephen is sent to join the 4th Battalion, which had returned from India to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. Shortly before his departure, Stephen writes a cheerful and positive letter. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I am alright. I am enjoying myself… I will soon be home. Love from Steve ------------------------------- December 13: The 4th Battalion arrives in France. Stephen is at the front. He sends a postcard home, still enthusiastic about being in the Army. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I am quite well. I am for the front on Tuesday. But if you write to the Commanding Officer and say I am only seventeen it will stop me from going. Get it here before Tuesday for I cannot get a pass to come and see you. Don’t forget. From Stephen ------------------------------- April 1915: The trail goes cold until April 6 1915 when Stephen says he is soon leaving hospital, apparently having fallen sick. But he is now to re-join the 4th Battalion. Shaken by his earlier experiences, he appeals to his mother. Mother Just left for France Stephen ------------------------------- April: Perhaps his mother wrote too late, or did not write at all. No letter was apparently received. His next card is marked ‘‘On Active Service’’. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I arrived quite safe. I hope you are quite well as it leaves me the same. Give my love to all at home. From your ever loving son, Stephen ------------------------------- April 30: In a couple of days he is cheerful again. From the base camp in Rouen en route to rejoin the 4th Battalion, he sends a postcard. Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that I sent you all a photo of myself outside a tent door with two of my mates. Hope you will get them safe. Hoping you are in the best of health as I am myself. Goodbye for the present. I remain yours truly, Stephen ------------------------------- May: After one more card from Rouen, he returned to the 4th Battalion. On May 4 he was mortally wounded, his body being discovered six days later
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