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Source: File: The
2/7th Battalion Welsh Cyclists (T.F).jpg, 2015. Porthcawl and
The Great War. [online] Available at:<http://www.porthcawlandthegreatwar.com/1914-porthcawl.html> [Accessed: 7 February 2015].
In
the county borough of Bridgend,
On
the South coast of Porthcawl, was still in the midst of winter,
On the 3 February – when a young lady
Ventured out, to walk by the sea front -
A lively spirited girl who resided with
Her mother in Porthcawl, at Vale View.
With
the fresh air that whipped the
Wind
in her face, she came across A young man - a cyclist of an army
Battalion. Perhaps she had almost lost
Her hat, as the man grasped it in
Mid air – the girl gasped - ‘that was
A good catch!’ She fought as the wind
Loosened her hair – the soldier grinned.
The
young man spoke, ‘it is breezy
Tonight,’
handing back her hat.She snatched a laugh, as the air
Took her breath – he looked on her
Young face, as she studied his rank.
Maybe not such a good night to walk.’
He said – but she shook her head.
‘I
love such nights as these,’ she said,
Raising
her voice to be heard -Both glanced towards the pier where
A ghostly sheen of the sea was seen.
The waves whipped up at the struts.
Private Walter Lionel Cousin said,
How he was billeted at Porthcawl,
In the 7th Cyclist Reserves - unsure
She heard his name, he asked hers.
‘Alice
Morgan!’ yet he did not hear.
‘Come
on,’ she said. in sudden eagerExcitement – I dare you to walk on
The pier.’ His caution was not headed,
As she grabbed his sleeve and pulled
Him to follow. Private Cousin did
Think to go on - but felt the lady should
Not be in the dark, to venture out
Alone on the pier – he followed her.
Slightly
behind her quick step, Private
Cousin
followed onto the Esplanade,Both of them bracing into the wind -
The rush and rumbling sea made
Them talk loudly, as they paused
By the watch house - he again tried
To ask her name – but she urged
Him on, to dare further - to walk along
The Pier wall – at first he said no.
Private
cousin watched her face,
As
she watched the dark waves -For a few minutes in silence
Then she tugged on him and Alice
Began to walk along the wall,
He heard her laugh, ‘I want to feel
The sea spray!’ He followed her.
At five yards he stopped, to call out.
‘Mind you don’t get washed over!’
She
pretended to slip her footing,
Laughing
to see him reacting.On the sodden wall, he moved
Towards her – when together,
They both saw the wave rising
Above them – in reaching out
Their hands met, as the water
Swept them up into the dark air.
Walter
Cousin and Alice Morgan
Spun
in mid air - the wave Embracing them as they went
Down - separated in a moment -
Then united, they lifted again.
She caught onto his right hand -
They clung together, as he
Grabbed the wall and started
To crawl – Walter saw her
Startled fear, as the raging
Water hit him once again.
With
the heaviness on him,
Walter
Cousin lost a moment,As he found himself dropped
on the walls ledge – he looked
And stood in shocked alarm,
As he braced himself in the
Storm - he called out to her
but he did not know her name -
And Alice Morgan was no more.
by Jamie Mann.
Source:
File: Glamorgan Gazette
Provider: The
National Library of Wales.
Anon.,1915. Lady Swept from Pier. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 5 Feb. P.7. Col.2. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11385010/Daily-Telegraph-February-5-1915.html
[Accessed:
7 February 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago -
Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 7 February 2015).
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