Thursday, 2 April 2015

Poem ~ Medals for Everyman - Friday, 2 April 1915


Impression sketch of Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1915 - by Jamie. An original image can be seen at http://www.theborellaride.com.au/news/remembering-local-serviceman-segeant-james-mcdonald/

Mention is deserved of many stories,
Over two broadsheet pages -
Telling of individual soldiers actions,
Of alphabetical men’s names -
Commissioned and noncommissioned
Officers, for their duty's
Devotion and gallant acts in the field.

To remember that these are ordinary men,
In extraordinary situations -
Who, with king George's approval, were
To receive bravery devotion
Awards, by Distinguished Conduct Medal -
For the first time in this war.

Under the heading of 'Medals for Bravery,'
Numbered eleven columns,
With listed names, numbering 450 - along
With Indian army men -
Officers for 14 Indian subjects and a single
Sepoy, to be the DSM.

From L-Cpl. Adams to Pte. Young, deeds
Accounted for actions -
Men wounded under heavy fire, to carry
Out tasks or in bringing
Back the wounded - while many others
Delivered messages.

Privates, Corporals Sergeants, Drivers
And Majors - with all
Officers between - their commendations
Being only the top
Of an iceberg - for everyman, either side,
Deserved such medals.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Many Awards For Bravery in the Field- Distinguished Conduct- Medals for N.C.O's and Men. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 2 Apr. P.4-5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11509871/Daily-Telegraph-April-2-1915.html [Accessed: 2 April 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 2 April 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11509871/Daily-Telegraph-April-2-1915.html


#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Medals

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