For those at the front.....

-
My Grandad (front right) Thomas Stephen Card
This weekend I have managed to catch up with a few BBC programmes that have been made using digitally remastered material from interviews done in the1960s  with those serving and living through World War I. Photographs and interviews which give a clearer insight into what it must have been like 100 years ago this year since it started. There are many acts of remembrance planned this year, I for one will be scattering poppy seeds in a few weeks time.

I was inspired to write the following using some of the words spoken by the old soldiers during the programmes, it just somehow seems the right thing to do:


For those at the front, keep the home fires burning,
Say the right things and  try to understand.
They were the longest of hours and the shortest of hours.
For those at the front, Remember.

For those at the front, without action it's really rather fun.
There's German voices singing "C'mon over Tommy" - parlez-vous,
Exchanges of gifts and addresses for when the war is over- parlez-vous.
The Russians are throwing painted Easter eggs - parlez-vous.
How can you both be fighting for freedom?
How can your God be on both sides?

For those at the front be British and over the top you go!
For those at the front, smile boys that's the style.
Do you have courage to face the rain of lead?
Fear has left you and now is terror.
You don't look - you see.
You don't hear - you listen.
You taste the top of your mouth,
You reach the point where there is no beyond.

The veneer of civilisation is locked away.

For those at the front it's over.
For those at the front, 'Pack up your troubles',
Remember.......
"Here lies a soldier of the Great War."

A D Hook March 2014

Comments

Julia Birch said…
When I read the line"

"You reach the point where there is no beyond"

I saw clearly in my mind's eye, a frame of old, shaky cine film footage and a soldier, frozen in the moment when he leapt out into no-man's land... to the point where there is no beyond, for him...

It is wonderful that you have reflected, and listened, and heard the soldier's voice. So many individuals, yet gathered into one collective voice, each of them heart-breaking in their finality.

Lest we forget.
19 March 2014 at 12:50
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's a strange thing......

-
It's a strange thing that happens when you try to expand and develop your horizons. From the seed of a good idea you strive to learn more about it (whatever "it" is) and begin to apply your learning to given situations/new developments etc. You gain a level of confidence with this new thing - and then you jump into a larger pool (I guess your horizon expands!) and you realise how little you actually know about it - and it starts all over again. I know this is not particularly earth shattering news to anyone - but it perhaps mirrors my current state of mind. What I'd like to know is: A)Where do you find the energy from to carry horizon scanning on and b) how do you get over the feeling that one day you'll get caught out and someone will find out what little substance lies behind the facade?? Just a thought for today!
Read more

The Secret in My Attic .........

-
Image
Well not so much a secret as a guilty pleasure. of course I'm talking about my model railway. Definitely a work in progress - and maybe it will never be finished - but I am hoping to spend more time with it than I have over the last two years. I always remember that one of my favourite things as a child was a Hornby engine and a small square hardboard with a circular track. I don't remember what happened to it - I think it burned out - but I loved it. A couple of xmases ago my husband surprised me with a Hornby model of the Flying Scotsman - only problem was we had nowhere to put it - so we had the attic converted (bit drastic I know!) and it lives up there. If we ever move it can't come out as the board that holds the track was put up before the stairs went in!! We have gradually put in the track and some buildings - and plan to do so much more- and eventually it will reflect a small taste of Norfolk in the '50's and '60's with a Broad and wherry, a church ...
Read more

BRUNO’s TALE

-
Image
    At the age of 14 years, our beloved Bruno Bear left us to go over the Rainbow Bridge. His heart became too big for this world, a heart stuffed full of love for all things, which finally gave out on 4 th August 2020.   Here is his story……..   After we lost our sweetpea, Pepe, on Valentine’s Day 2008, the dog shaped hole was much too hard to bear and we wanted to share her legacy with another rescue dog. We visited Leigh Dog’s home and whilst all around us dogs were barking and clamouring for attention, this one dog, very striking in appearance, was sitting quietly, gazing out of his cage. As we spoke with him he picked up his bowl and went into the back area of the cage and lay down. They knew very little about him other than he was a stray from Salford, was about 2 years old and had been at the shelter for just over 4 months. We took him out of the cage for a walk around and it was very clear that he was well liked and was used to receiving treats from the volun...
Read more