Poem ~ Piper’s Brave Act - Friday, 4 December 1914

A highly skilled shot with a rifle,

Lance Corporal Piper H.G. Latham,

Was reported as killed in action.

Serving with the London Scottish.

On six occasions,

He had taken part

With the King’s Hundred,

At the Bisley Camp competition.

In 1913, took he third place

For the King’s prize -

As one of the Marathon

Winning team members,

Of the London Scottish

Latham helped in the taking

Of the Daily Telegraph cup.

Described in a letter,

From the Croydon Advertiser,

Piper Latham’s keen actions,

Were reported to have

Single handedly bayoneted 

Four Germans, in one charge.

Latham was in action with mates,

When bullets were being fired

On them, from in front and behind -

Described by the man himself

As ‘phew-w-u!’ those bullets

Tried to whisper ‘Cheero!’

Into their burning ears.

Amid the enemy’s tactics,

‘Cease fire’ instructions

Were frequently blown

On whistles by Germans,

As an attempt to fool them

Into stopping -

They also called out phrases

‘Scotland for ever!’

‘Here you are Scottish, over here!’

‘Back to your trenches, Scottish.’

While causing some amusement

The tricks did not fool

Anyone – with one exception.

Form the midst of some

German group - a yell raised

Calling out for the Scottish.

The form of a youth lifted,

To run for his life –

Chased by two Germans

With bayonets.

Latham having observed

Them, stood up to yell,

His position.

He shot the Germans,

As the youth,

With both arms wounded,

Dived in, exclaiming

His relief, then collapsed

Into the piper’s arms.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. London Territorials –Death of Piper Latham – How he Saved a Comrade. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 4 December. p.7. Col.2. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11271104/Daily-Telegraph-December-4-1914.html [Accessed: 4 December 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 4 December 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11271104/Daily-Telegraph-December-4-1914.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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Poem ~ Five Irish Brothers - Tuesday, 24 November 1914

Large families of the time,

Prove their worth to the army -

As in sons given by a mother,

From County Armagh.

Five brothers of this mother

Joined the Ulster

Division of Kitchener’s army.

Upon hearing of these men,

Sir Edward Carson,

Wrote his praise to the lady.

Stating in the penned words

That action, of such volunteers,

From such a family -

Serves as a demonstration

To the enemy,

Of universal determination.

This enemy -

Whose state of aggression

Threatens European peace,

In perpetual instability -

By their emanation in ideals,

Of Prussian potentate.

Such brothers, such sons,

Encapsulates everything,

That their king could ever

Wish for -

To come from Irish shores.

Not the first, nor the last

Of such ideal brotherhood.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Five Sons Volunteer.The Daily Telegraph, [online] 9 Aug. p.4. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11241616/Daily-Telegraph-November-24-1914.html [Accessed: 24 November 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 24 November 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11241616/Daily-Telegraph-November-24-1914.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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Poem ~ Casualties & Deception - Thursday, 20 August 1914

The first names of casualties of war,

Of officer ranks are accounted.

Not from fighting, but accidents,

With no details given of how, or why?

While two named officers with injuries,

Being sustained from motor incidents.

In contrast is an account of the rank of officer being impersonated -

Centres on a young man, described of gentlemanly appearance.

Creates for himself deep problems, which will see him imprisoned.

This young man named as Keith Arnold, had no current occupation,

A temporary resident at Hotel Richelieu on Oxford Street London.

Presenting himself at the Empire Music Hall, on last Saturday evening,

Mr Arnold being observed at 9.45pm, by a Lieutenant Edward Ridley,

Of the second Battalion of the Grenadier Guards-who surprised at an officer

Being present - noted that he was a second Lieutenant of the Royal Artillery.

Lieutenant Ridley had never seen a uniformed officer at the Music Hall,

Generally believing that officers attend entertainments in evening dress.

He spoke with a fellow officer, a captain, regarding his quiet suspicions,

Prior to Lieutenant Ridley approaching this ‘officer’ in the American Bar.

In conversation he requested if he had information that would be of interest

To a serving officer - The ‘Lieutenant ‘ was keen to declare he had sailed

From Le Havre to Southampton that very morning, by a loaded troopship,

On which were Black Watch survivors, injured at Liege and from Alsace

Were 10th Hussars - many were dying of wounds and many buried at sea.

The ‘Lieutenant’ added his experience as four years in the Royal Artillery.

Suspicious of his delivery Lieutenant Ridley told the officer as his superior

To accompany him to the war office - where upon further examination,

By Adjutant-General’s department, Mr Arnold confessed - the story untrue,

He was not an officer and had not travelled on any troop ship from Le Havre.

Mr Arnold explained how he had applied for various commissions,

Approaching several regiments but failed in gaining an appointment.

At the Alhambra on the Friday night he had seen several officers

Enjoying the night’s entertainment, not in evening dress but uniformed.

Mr Arnold dining on the Saturday, had much to drink with his friends.

Then, accepted into the Royal Field Artillery, he had been turned down

On reasons of his health - although he had purchased the uniform

In anticipation. After this disappointment he became on probation,

After a Territorial officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps saw kind,

To pass him as fit - while the account of the troop ship he had given,

Had come from an acquaintance, which he had believed to be true.

Mr Arnold made his mistake of repeating account in the first person.

After detention at Scotland Yard, he was told that he would go,

And the case dropped. Taken to his hotel he removed the uniform,

And had then made the sincere promise not to wear it again.

An emotional Mr Arnold confessed while he was ready to be punished,

The publicity would ruin him and his mother who was in poor health.

In his appeal he asked the magistrate to dismiss the summons,

Having already suffered through the process. The magistrate though

Was not so willing as Mr Arnold’s conduct appeared quite calculated,

And brought contempt on the king’s uniform - further the statement

About wounded dying men would only bring distress to both Hussars

And Black Watch relatives - so in judgment he was to be imprisoned,

For one month. The stunned, disconsolate Mr Arnold, looked up

To the gallery as left the dock, where a judgemental public hissed.

by Jamie Mann

Anon., 1914. False War Reports - ":Black Watch Cut Up" - A Bogus Officer Sentenced. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 20 Aug. p.2. Col.5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034630/Daily-Telegraph-August-20-1914.html [Accessed: 20th August 2014].

Anon., 1914. The First Casualties - Accidents to Officers. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 20 Aug. p.6. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034630/Daily-Telegraph-August-20-1914.html [Accessed: 20th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 20 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034630/Daily-Telegraph-August-20-1914.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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Poem ~ British Soldiers to Boulogne - Wednesday, 19 August 1914

To paint a picture for those at home a soldier correspondent,

Marks the arrival of first British regiments upon French soil.

It is 9pm Saturday night in Boulogne finds all cafes closed,

But all the local and café people do not want to go home.

Instead they gather round the British Military headquarters,

Of Hotel Bristol, about the railway station and waiting rolling stock.

Words spread about Boulogne of activities at Wimereux rest camp

In preparations to leave for battle lines alongside French comrades

This collecting of joyful civilians are there to wish troops Gods speed.

They represent the relief of French people receiving British people

Into war; these Scotsmen are the first to be allied to French forces.

From informality about the Chateau, comes the order for formation.

In lines they now march down the hill, to sounds of French accents,

Calling ‘goodbye’ and ‘good luck’ – then rush to shake Scottish hands,

And spoil their Marching order. Good-humoured disarray is displayed.

Amid sound and waving their regimental insignia are begged by people.

The French who clasp them give them tricolour of France for their caps

Their progress is slowed down the hill while horses slip on the stones.

Scottish soldiers give no signs of their slump in joy

as nearing the station cries of ‘Are we downhearted!’

In Scottish accents are answered by themselves with ‘No!’

These words soon pass into the calls of French people surrounding them.

The Scottish battalion marches on to the uniting sounds of Bagpipes.

Men become happier when a maid or older lady, give a kiss to a soldier.

They pass the quays to where their troop trains are waiting to depart,

To board with destination unknown – even if known, no word would be said.

A snatched conversation between our soldier correspondent and reservist,

Declare how men pride themselves as the very backbone of the army.

He cannot but admire the beaming troopers 'esprit des corps' –

This cockney reservist says they are called ‘Die-hards’ and promises

On meeting any Germans they will live up to this.

In their preparation for a twenty-hour journey they are certain,

That they will arrive near the front to start fighting on Monday morning.

Yet if they travel for three hours they will arrive at a camp for another wait.

‘He don’t know anyfink!' Challenges another cockney of this prediction.

From another window they watch Harry from Hoxton address some French

To make them laugh with songs and saying in his strange British accent.

The train departs with much noise, shouting of farewell between strangers.

This buoyant Boulogne arrival is in contrast to Southampton departures,

Now officially revealed is how this English Port is playing its part in war.

The Southampton shipping port sits as a shadow of what in peacetime,

Being a bustling place of quayside workers and varied shipping companies.

Under the decree of an army act the port machinery runs as clockwork,

Behind a guarded dock beyond lock gates in an operation undertaken

To safely see the shipping of men and equipment off to the continent.

While complete secrecy could not be given, the port town, Southampton

Willingly undertook its part in ensuring the passage of Kitchener's army.

Southampton must have, for a time, seemed like extensive barracks.

The people of the town, in addition to the rest camps on their common

Billeted as many members of the army in their homes, as they could.

Without fuss of bands singing or garlands of flowers marking their way,

These first troopships with an escort of tugs slipped their moorings.

Into the channel only a signal from a nearby yacht and hoots of tug boats

Bid them farewell, returned by a cheering of these France bound troops.

by Jamie Mann

Anon., 1914. Off to the Front - British Soldiers at Boulogne - Enthusiastic Scenes. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html [Accessed: 19th August 2014].

Anon., 1914. Scenes at Southampton. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Aug. p.7. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html [Accessed: 19th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034601/Daily-Telegraph-August-19-1914.html

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Poem ~ No longer 'if' but when will Battle begin... Sunday, 16 August 1914

Now still within the first two weeks of declared war,

Comes speculation to closer detail, and the arena,

Of an inevitable first great battle between allies

And the massing of the German armies.

The stage of war is no longer ‘if’ but when and where?

So to scrutinize the current scenes of the conflict,

Brings up the question where this future fight might be.

In Paris the War Ministry points to the fact of failure,

Of German’s plan of an ‘attaque brusque’ via Belgium.

So might some grand battle occur in a current place

Of conflict? In a study of the massed details of theatre

Of war are perhaps two viewpoints are most worthy.

The French having fully mobilised on the Friday gone,

Have since fully joined force with the Belgian army.

Across the shared border they gathered at Gembloux -

Not far from Belgian capital and the plains of Waterloo.

Secondly is the view of the enemy’s likely intentions,

To curve round the left flank of prepared Allied forces.

But the Germans plans are still 10 days behind -

Halted by Belgian force of Liege forts – the Kaiser's plan

For his army to ‘sweep through Belgium like a whirlwind’

Has been more of a draft – yet an enemy’s determination,

Is still there, to hack their way through by whatever

Path they can, with engagements fought at Liege,

The Meuse, Haelem, Diest and Enghesee,

Perhaps one of these might grow into a decisive battle?

Uhlans being the advance troop to envelope the allies left,

The enemy will find the forts of Namur stronger than

Those encountered in their previous skirmishes.

A weakness is apparent in the German's starving army,

With many men surrendering and then asking for food.

Amid their ranks stories of suicides must hinder morale –

With speculation comes suggestion is that the giant battle

May take place on one of three areas; South in Alsace,

On borders of Luxembourg, or within Belgium itself -

The Germans though, do not doubt, are waiting, pacing

Time, make readiness in a line from Liege to Colmar.

Valiantly the French hold the enemy at the Vosges passes,

As reports warn that this week is likely to witness events

Of an invincible Teutonic reassertion, coiled like a spring.

Lord Kitchener provides warnings that the campaign

Is likely to last for sometime. As the Napoleonic wars before

Army after army will be needed  - so make heed this caution

For this Great Britain - a great nation never to look back.

by Jamie Mann

Anon., 1914. Campaign in Belgium - Arena of Battle. The Daily Telegraph - Special Sunday Edition, 16 Aug. p.2. Col.1. [online] 16 Aug. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034529/Daily-Telegraph-August-16-1914.html Accessed: 16th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 16 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034529/Daily-Telegraph-August-16-1914.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

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