Source: File: Captain Charles Sorley.jpeg [online] see
an original image at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sorley>
[13 October 2015].
Among the many talented who chose
To go to war, was the son of a
University
Professor, William Ritchie Sorley -
His son Charles Hamilton Sorley,
born
Aberdeen, educated at Marlborough.
Already proving his talent for
debate,
Charles Sorley gained a scholarship
To University College Oxford - aged
18
The young scholar decided to take
his
Study in 1913 to Germany for a year.
August 1914 in Germany at
University
Of Jena, Sorley found that in the
war’s
Opening, he was held in Trier for a
day -
Released, he was told by authorities
To promptly leave their country.
Putting aside university Charles
Sorley
Sought a commission - this he did
Joining the Suffolk’s, as an officer -
2nd Lieutenant - to arrive on the line
Of France and Belgium, by May 1915.
Sorley was to fight at Ploegstreet
In Flanders - which led to promotion -
Now a Captain, the young officer
Was to find himself in the biggest
Battle of the year, so far, at Loos.
After only a month as Captain Sorely,
The allied attack began September -
The BEF and French army role would
Be to divert German numbers from
Russian Front, to relieve their pressure.
While allies had superior numbers,
The Germans fought back the French
Attacks at Champagne and Vimy Ridge -
An overview of unfolding events were
Made in the 7th Suffolk’s war diaries.
13 October saw the morning create
Heavy bombardment onto the German
Lines - into a haze of smoke, British
Commenced the attack, when German
Machine guns opened up on them.
British loses began to rise, to number
70 of ranks to include; a major, a Captain
And lieutenants - Suffolk’s found selves
In situation with all grenade supplies
Used - then to assist Norfolk Regiment.
In loss of trained bombers and leaders
Captain Sorley was suddenly in charge
Of D Company – A Captain who had
quietly recorded such experiences
into collection of some collated poems.
That morning, perhaps adding some
Line to a composition, he secured
The 37 he had so far written, into his
Kit, before leaving his dugout; maybe
A new idea played in back of his mind.
Alongside the Norfolk bombing crew
The 20 year old Captain Sorley, found
Himself leading support to catch a sap -
This was his job; like many others any
University career had been put on hold.
In thickest battle he did all he could -
With those men about him pulled
Out from normal lives, to eagerly threw
Bombs at other men - they scrambled
Against an equally keen bomb crew.
An officers average life of was six weeks -
Charles Sorely had reached four of them -
The Captain shuffled with his men into haze
Charles Sorely had reached four of them -
The Captain shuffled with his men into haze
Of chaos - his presence caught by sniper’s
Opportunity, who fired into a poet’s head.
Placed under the earth close to where
He had been killed, his resting place
Would never be found again - only when
His kit was opened were seen 37 poems;
One amid millions now devoid of a voice.
by Jamie Mann.
Source: File: Poet
Charles Sorley killed at Loos [online] Available at: <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/poet-charles-sorley-killed-at-loos>
[Accessed: 13 October 2015]
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 13 October 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Poets
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