Tomorrow is Remembrance Sunday here in the UK. As usual I will walk with my parents to the war memorial in my home town, for the parade and service. Afterwards we will plant wooden crosses in the memorial garden, emblazoned with the names of our fallen loved ones.
This year of course marks the hundredth anniversary since the outbreak of ‘the war to end all wars.’ If only that title were literally true. It was however the war that introduced modern mechanized conflict, with the horrendous attrition rates that brings.
Both my grandfathers took part in the First World War. My maternal grandfather lied about his age and (despite having serious chest complaints) went to fight in the trenches with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He would go on to experience many of the notorious battles first hand and be decorated for his part in those actions. He survived the war and eventually died many years later, from a mixture of the afore-mentioned chest problems and malaria he contracted while serving in India.
My paternal grandfather was a boy seaman in the First World War, at the battle of Jutland aboard HMS Colossus. He too survived and became a Royal Navy reserve, called up again at the outbreak of World War Two. There he saw action at the battle of the river Plate aboard the cruiser, HMS Ajax. Later he was transferred to HMS Calcutta, and was killed when the ship sank during the evacuation of Crete. You can see some pictures of him I once put together in a video, by clicking here.
The summer poppies near my house are usually a joy to behold. Some years ago I filmed a little footage of them. Today I decided to do something with those clips, and have assembled a short film featuring a remembrance poem I wrote back in 2010 called ‘If in Foreign Fields.’ You will find the video on YouTube and at the top of this post.
I include the text of the poem below, and hope if you have lost loved ones in conflicts past or present that the words will offer some encouragement to you.
This year of course marks the hundredth anniversary since the outbreak of ‘the war to end all wars.’ If only that title were literally true. It was however the war that introduced modern mechanized conflict, with the horrendous attrition rates that brings.
Both my grandfathers took part in the First World War. My maternal grandfather lied about his age and (despite having serious chest complaints) went to fight in the trenches with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He would go on to experience many of the notorious battles first hand and be decorated for his part in those actions. He survived the war and eventually died many years later, from a mixture of the afore-mentioned chest problems and malaria he contracted while serving in India.
My paternal grandfather was a boy seaman in the First World War, at the battle of Jutland aboard HMS Colossus. He too survived and became a Royal Navy reserve, called up again at the outbreak of World War Two. There he saw action at the battle of the river Plate aboard the cruiser, HMS Ajax. Later he was transferred to HMS Calcutta, and was killed when the ship sank during the evacuation of Crete. You can see some pictures of him I once put together in a video, by clicking here.
The summer poppies near my house are usually a joy to behold. Some years ago I filmed a little footage of them. Today I decided to do something with those clips, and have assembled a short film featuring a remembrance poem I wrote back in 2010 called ‘If in Foreign Fields.’ You will find the video on YouTube and at the top of this post.
I include the text of the poem below, and hope if you have lost loved ones in conflicts past or present that the words will offer some encouragement to you.
If in Foreign Fields
By John L C Barnes
(Registered with the UK Copyright Service Registration No. 315811)
If in foreign fields,
I lay me down to rest.
And on some distant shore,
I give of life my best.
Then weep not long my dear,
Our parting loss to bear.
For in England’s verdant pastures,
My heart is with thee there.
If in foreign fields,
I breathe my final breath.
And for freedom’s fleeting treasure,
I go unto my death.
Only think of me in passing,
And then go on thy way.
I gave this life that living,
You may find a brighter day.
If in foreign fields,
I meet an early grave.
Remember love my sacrifice,
And that I died to save:
A hundred sons and husbands,
From weeping wives and mothers.
Please tell this wretched world my dear,
That all us men are brothers…
By John L C Barnes
(Registered with the UK Copyright Service Registration No. 315811)
If in foreign fields,
I lay me down to rest.
And on some distant shore,
I give of life my best.
Then weep not long my dear,
Our parting loss to bear.
For in England’s verdant pastures,
My heart is with thee there.
If in foreign fields,
I breathe my final breath.
And for freedom’s fleeting treasure,
I go unto my death.
Only think of me in passing,
And then go on thy way.
I gave this life that living,
You may find a brighter day.
If in foreign fields,
I meet an early grave.
Remember love my sacrifice,
And that I died to save:
A hundred sons and husbands,
From weeping wives and mothers.
Please tell this wretched world my dear,
That all us men are brothers…