Friday, 19 September 2014

Poem ~ Two fathers, Twelve Sons -– Saturday, 19 September 1914



A Unionist candidate for Hartlepool, W. G. Gritten,
Informed King George of two notable working men,
In Hartlepool - between them having 12 sons and three
Close relatives, who had joined his Majesty’s forces.

One man had seven sons and two sons-in-law,
Another man had five sons and two nephews,
Who all had joined to fight - both families having
Received letters from Sir William Carrington,
The keeper of H.M. Private Purse.

The communication informing them of the King’s Pride.
Is hereby summarised one such letter sent –
Dated 15 September 1914, the King, having heard
Of your many sons, sends deepest gratification, asking
That his congratulations be passed onto them.

With His Majesty’s best wishes for their success,
In their noble chosen career, faithfully signed,
Sir William Carington – oddly how fathers only
Being addressed, with no family names mentioned.
Unlike the ten Calpin boys, who gained recognition.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Seven Sons in The War. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Sept. p.5. Col.5. Available at:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11107159/Daily-Telegraph-September-19-1914.html [Accessed: 19th September 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19 September 2014). 



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

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