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 ~ The role of the army in Kitchener’s Plan - Monday, 17 August 1914

For the nation to be aware of the likely duration of this conflict,

Comes a reasoned reply to scepticism from Lord Kitchener.

Made in response to public questions of the British, as to why

So many men have been called upon to make up the defence,

Not only of home, but other none-Empire shores abroad.

The argument against states the Belgians have held Germany

Off for ten days, or more, without the hand of France or Britain-

Has not the British fleet ably protected all trade routes at sea?

'Security and confidence has now been returned to this nation'

Kitchener promotes that these actions are not just to stop

The forward push of German invasion, but to gain lasting peace.

Also the need to curb any invasions of nations in future times;

Nations would just see British inaction as just pure weakness.

The government has no wish to upset the power balance in Europe,

Or ruin German people - only to ensure a "live and let live" decree.

There exists a double-headed hydra that forms German policies,

An un-caged governmental creature controlling German liberties,

Subjecting that empire to single mastery of one man - the Kaiser.

Only current speculation and divination can be presently made

To assess the German military machine upon Belgium ground.

Although that enemy appears at a standstill, near the allies left wing.

The question remains will the enemy force turn south via Namur?

Out across the difficulty of wooded, mountainous country?

Having seemingly failed in the plains - will they try in the hills?

Admittance to a lack of clarity only suggests a German surrender -

What truth is there that courageous German men are fighting?

With little motivation or keen heart in their Kaiser’s campaign.

Surely his people know the German empire is a one-man show?

Having been under the rule of this Kaiser for 30 years.

The Kaiser's Domination of military ideals and civil administration,

Dictates imperial ideals from field marshall, general to colonel,

Colonel to captain - moving down every grade of every rank.

In their campaigns brut force reigns over sensible scientific rules,

Leading their armies of men like sheep to the slow slaughter.

The enemy's small engagements appear to show how they have

No respect for human life - so further analysis will surely show,

The very likelihood of a crumbling breakdown of German plans.

Allied expectation's are that they should reconsider their position,

If they wish to save their Empire - there is no denying they might,

Just might, risk one further big offensive - but believed improbable.

Quiet admissions - in black and white, is that the allies lack numbers,

That the enemies have massed together,

Literal "Food" and thought for the enemies spies?

Germany will be under increasing pressure from Russia, who will,

Launch its attack on the Eastern front - and a balanced possibility

That France will yet suffer a big blow on their fighting men.

Kitchener's reasoning continues; a need to build a force in readiness

For a decisive blow - an army if not in six months, in a year's time.

Such is an outright dissection of Kitchener’s strategic words,

Not to sacrifice the regular army at the start of war in engagements,

But to build a brandishing force of a trained army behind the front.

An immediate request for 500,000 men is made, while preparing

Another army of 100,000 – While 3 years to train capable cavalry,

To train valuable infantry forces will take just two years.

Facing the situation of the immediate war dictates new rules,

A great need to condense such training into six months, alongside

A high calibre of trained officers who will achieve this plan.

Still hungry, Kitchener asks for more fighters in forming 2 divisions

Of territorial’s to go abroad imminently, to take to the battlefield -

Prior to formation of this second army - stating theirs is the honour

To take up their arms and make the first foray into the fight.

Behind this strategy comes the Field Marshall's explanation

Of important stages that will be needed to create a fit force,

And further not to leave this British land undefended  -

In Kitchener's plan both forces shall have equal glory,

For men fighting abroad and in carrying out home defence.

At the centre of the building of a new army is the call to heed

To a Field Marshall's vast experience and sound judgments.

All alongside a strange admittance, that the British forces

Are at this present time in a curious state of chaos:

Listing a mix of Regulars and reserves, Special reserves,

Old Battalions and Militia and Territorial’s short in numbers,

As well as partially trained Yeomanry and Territorial Auxiliary’s. 

Some can serve abroad and others are not yet ready -

All this makes up a mixed horde of disjointed forces.

Britain is yet to feel the stress of war as other countries,

As recruitment continues, life appears to pass as normal.

Except for the sight of troops and excitement on streets.

For the first time perhaps comes the call to fight as a nation,

Not just an army - there is need for people seize the chance

And for pessimists not to scoff at beliefs of over preparation,

Or dare to sneer at apparent overreaction – so be aware,

The German fleet is without destruction and remains intact.

Without the enemy's subjection to unconditional surrender,

The only result could be continental truce - but other nations

Are likely to rise like Prussia. With German navy and fleets

Destroyed, rebuilding would be difficult  - so in starting again

Would lead to financial disability, taking years to regain.

This honesty is for any who question our Field Marshall's plan.

Let them imagine then what fearful France is now facing.

With her men gone to fight women are left to fend with fear.

That countries very gratitude for British assistance is enough.

So for any men who hesitate to enlist in the new British army

Just take some moments to think over the dire situation.

by Jamie Mann

Ashmead-Bartlett, E.,1914. The Role of the British Army - Lord Kitchener's Plan. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 Aug. p.7. Col.7. Available online at: Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034548/Daily-Telegraph-August-17-1914.html [Accessed: 17th August 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 17 August 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11034548/Daily-Telegraph-August-17-1914.html

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

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