Impression Sketch
of Second
Lieutenant William
Glynne Charles Gladstone - By Jamie Mann. An original images can be
seen at: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=14077500&PIpi=96524816
The only Grandson of a British Prime Minister -
To share his grandparent's name, Gladstone -
Was also to follow in those footsteps to be an MP.
Drawn to politics, William Glynne Charles Gladstone
Would only enter the house when he had gained
Qualifications and some experience of the world.
Connections for Gladstone the younger, made
For opportunity - in Ireland, at age of 24 in 1909,
Gladstone was private secretary to Lord Aberdeen.
Visiting Japan and India - then in 1910 then in 1911
William, in Washington, was attaché to the British
Ambassador - within a few months became an MP.
Within that same year by September, the young
Gladstone found himself well in the running with
Death of a Liberal - a large majority surprised the
Results to create him an M.P. His praises included
Gladstone’s ability for a clear, musical voice with
Good wit, memory and his solid, deep convictions.
Without sharing any physicality of his grandfather,
A name was enough to bring in eager audiences
His maiden speech - this he did in uniform of Lord
Lieutenant of Flintshire, a reference to his namesake
With whom he shared ideals for an Irish Home Rule.
As war inevitably broke out young William
Gladstone
Had no attraction for serving in the military - although
In Flintshire he found himself involved in recruiting
-
Perhaps as example he thought to join up as a private.
But then took advice to gain Commission as a second
Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Second Lieutenant Gladstone, on completing training
At Wrexham, departed on 15 March 1915 for France.
By 11 April William was in the trenches - a company
Guide met them to lead the way marching down some
Ditch - single file with ‘welcome whistle of stray
bullets.’
Two days later Lieutenant Gladstone
at Laventie,
Emerged for his days duties – the 29 year old M.P.,
Had been told of a problematic sniper – he had been
Writing a letter home leaving his pen by his words -
In dim dugout light, the last inked
words slowly dried -
Out in daylight he was told where the sniper lurked.
News travels fast and by the afternoon a letter
Was handed across the table to the prime minister
The time in the House of Commons was still an early
Sitting – the short note stated how the Radical member
For the Kilmarnock Burghs had been shot only hours
Before – the second MP to be lost after Captain
O’Neill.
Back in time, with few short hours, to when the day
Was young, Lieutenant Gladstone put down his pen,
When one of the men came to inform him of problem.
With distracted attentions, the thought that he would
Not return home - remained a premonition unwritten.
It’s a sniper sir – a keen German bugger. Giving us
Pot shots’ - ‘Alright show me where,' requested
this
Inexperienced officer – as they stepped outwards
Into the ditch, within short steps and glance of
skies
Above, a bullet cracked and stunned those about,
As it cut into the Lieutenant’s forehead-he dropped.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. Death of Mr Gladstone, M.P. -
Killed in Action. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 16 Apr. P.9. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11539845/Daily-Telegraph-April-16-1915.html [Accessed: 16 April 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 16 April 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Laventie
No comments:
Post a Comment