Source:
File: Prince.jpg,
2015.
Dogged
determination. World War One
Great war Stories, Luton's Great War, told by its people today Submitted by
Deejaya on 14 August 2014. 2 March 1915. [online] Available at: <http://www.worldwar1luton.com/blog-entry/dogged-determination> [Accessed: 4 March 2015].
i
Since the earliest months of conflict
And movements of enemy and allied
Forces that weaved through Belgium
And France, people fled their homes
In villages and towns often destroyed
Burnt to the ground –
Through such deserted places as these
English soldiers found other abandoned
Refugees – dogs of those gone or dead
Who then attached themselves to these
English troopers.
With displacement of animal's homes,
A refuge was created near Boulogne -
On the road to Wimereaux - whereby
Pets, dogs or other animals, found by
Soldiers would be looked after - until
They reclaimed by the human owners -
Their missing friends.
ii
One such story of dog and human
friend
Could be recalled from the earliest
days
Of an opening war starting August 1914.
A dedication and affection between man
And his closest friend to be recounted
In the month of March 1915.
In that late summer month James Brown
From his home in Hammersmith, London
Said goodbye to both his wife and Prince -
Their Irish Terrier. Private Brown called
To serve With the King's army in France
A horseman in the 1st North Staffordshire's
Some time passed and Prince pined for
James’ Company – when on September
27th his wife then noticed Prince had
Gone missing, she looked about - sadly
Unable to find him anywhere, she became
Afraid to write to her husband to explain.
iii
Two more months passed when a letter
Came for Mrs Brown from Mr Brown both
Solving and creating a mystery. Previously
Confessing that Prince was missing, a reply
Of her husband said he was sorry Prince
Not being found there, but that their terrier
Was now with him, stationed at the front line.
The story of Prince being found, had began
At Armentieres - Private Brown had returned
From a patrol and on that day as he rode
Back with other riders, amid the men was one
Standing with a dog, who walked toward him,
At first thinking the dog was very like his own
Irish Terrier, James Brown saw the man grin
To say, ‘I believe that this chap may be yours.’
In dismount James could still not believe his
Eyes until he knelt to say his name, ‘Prince?’
Who then greatly made a fuss of him.
With man and dog united as the fellow gave
Explanation how the Irish Terrier had travelled
Over to France, journeying with other troops.
Mr Brown's words to Mrs Brown explained his
Wonder; ‘Just fancy His coming and finding me.'
He added Prince, 'is quite settled Down with me.’
Then how her husband had found some old
Great coats, which he had used to make Prince
A coat to keep warm and how his faithful terrier
Was then adopted by the regiment as their pet.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. The Soldiers Dog. The
Daily Telegraph, [online] 4 Mar. p.8. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11447670/Daily-Telegraph-March-4-1915.html
[Accessed: 4 March 2015].
Source.,1915. The Dogged Determination Great War Stories. Submitted by
Deejaya on 14 August 2014, [online] Available at:
http://www.worldwar1luton.com/blog-entry/dogged-determination [Accessed:
4 March 2015].
Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago -
Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 4 March
2015).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11447670/Daily-Telegraph-March-4-1915.html
http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar
#WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered
No comments:
Post a Comment