Sunday, 21 September 2014

Poem ~ Black Watch Charge - Monday, 21 September 1914


A private from the Black Watch Guard,
Writing from Netley Hospital, informs
A friend of his recovery from a wound.
Gained at the Battle of the River Marne.
Being bowled over and out, he found
He was back in plenty of time to read,
Of that battle's victory in the papers.

This private, in a regiment of advanced
Guard, was in a company moving ahead.
On reaching a hill of dense brushwood,
Encountering scouting French cavalry
In returning, reporting the hill all clear.
As the Black Watch marched forward
About the hill, in discovery of Germans
Opening fire - the enemy being well hidden,
They realised Germans were entrenched,
From the very foot of the hill to the top.

The first enemy line being about ninety
Yards ahead, meant the first firing volley
Took down a lot of the private's company.
With two Cameroon companies attached,
They fixed bayonets preparing to charge.
The private said their actions were swift -
As before any might say 'Jack Robertson' -
They dived into the first line of trenches,
To see how the Germans ran like rabbits.
With swift reinforcement of the regiments
Remainder of the hill was then speedily taken.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Battle Stories - A Black Watch Charge. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 21 Sept. p.12. Col.1. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11107186/Daily-Telegraph-September-21-1914.html
 [Accessed: 21st September 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 21 September 2014). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #BattleoftheMarne

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