Remembrance

Today we stop to pause and give our private thanks to all of those who fought and died in the armed forces.  Seven members of my family were involved, in some capacity, in the First World War.  Six survived their theatre of war - one was killed in action.  This blog is a tribute to all seven, in my thoughts today, along with the countless others who fought and died in that bloody conflict a century ago, and all wars since.  Cecil Major, William Button, Arthur Button, Tom Button, John Frank Turner, Walter Sillence, Frederick Sillence.  Remembered always for their service and sacrifice.

Poppies from a Battle-field

What where those red petals came?
Which burn their great, eternal flame?
Them from that place where fate was sealed,
Out yonder, on that battle-field.

And how got there, them crimson stars?
Where galloped once them brave hussars!
Seeds mingled with the blood of men,
What never made it 'ome again.

Them scarlet blooms, what gleam like ghosts,
Like tin-hat spectres, by their posts,
Or soldiers hidin’ in the trees,
What sway like spirits on the breeze.

I see a gunner; R.G.A.
A sapper on the railway,
A fresh-faced sergeant, Surrey-made,
Back ‘ome a grocer by ‘is trade

A young mechanic, oilin’ brakes,
Whose tunic now, a private makes,
An ‘orseman ridin’ 'cross the line,
In France, in Malta; Palestine.

I see infantry, rifles high,
An’ bay’netts pointin’ to the sky,
They charge, and pushin’ wave-on-wave…

I see a wreath laid on a grave.

What men were these what soldiered here?
What gave their lives – what paid so dear?
What scribed with history’s mighty quill,
Two words for us; “remember still.”

I see whence those red petals came,
Which burn their great, eternal flame,
A century on, this mem'ry sealed
By poppies from a battle-field.