Thursday, 21 January 2016

Poem ~ Soldiers Graves Pictured - Friday, 21 January 1916



Source: Army Honors and Promotions: Distinguished Conduct Medal - 606 Sgt. J.W. Brooke, 2nd Regt. King Edward's HorseThe Daily Telegraph[online] 14 January 1916. P.13. Col.5 . Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12093307/Daily-Telegraph-January-14-1916.html [Accessed: 21 January 2016].

Impression sketch of John Warwick Brooke - by Jamie.  See original image at: http://www.cairogang.com/other-people/castle-propaganda/military/brooke/brooke.html

1916 Jan 14 . DCM citation 606 Sergeant J. W. Brooke, 2nd Regiment, King Edward's Horse. For conspicuous bravery and resource. Our communications were repeatedly cut by the heavy shell fire, and most of the linesmen were killed or wounded. Sergeant Brooke continued to repair the wires regardless of personal danger, and it was owing to his courageous action that communication was maintained at a most critical time.


In occupations across the western front,
Came to include Members of the Press
Photographers Association who, by
1916, numbered 22 across the forces.

One officer, serving as an NCO within
The 2nd Regiment of King Edwards
Horse, Sergeant John Warwick Brooke,
Was awarded the DCM January 14 1916.

A letter written by a PPA member, to be
Received by Sergeant Brooke, revealed
His role at the front as Photographer
Of soldiers graves, across the frontline.

This official photographer informed
How taking images of graves was by
No means gloomy - to take them
Close to the fighting along the front.

An idealistic setting was described
For a place to act as their darkroom -
Developing negatives and images
In a summerhouse, set on a riverbank.

The unnamed situation lay in a wood -
Rose trees and primroses covered
The outside, while uses of the river's
Flow helped to wash the finished films.

He informed Sergeant Brook that except
For their trips out and aeroplane patrols,
Every day had proved hard to imagine
A war fought, only a few miles away.

A close reminder came one certain day,
When two low flying enemy aeroplanes
Flying close by, had dropped bombs -
Having the effect of waking up matters.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. Pictures of Soldiers Graves. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 21 January 1916. P.3. Col.6. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12108564/Daily-Telegraph-January-21-1916.html [Accessed: 21 January 2016].

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 21 January 2016). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1France

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