Showing posts with label Behaviour & Conduct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Behaviour & Conduct. Show all posts

Monday, 15 December 2014

Poem ~ A Lost Lad in War Time - Tuesday, 15 December 1914


A series of sad circumstances,
Led a lad of 15 to a Police station.
Here he confessed, since September
Having no regular home and by then
Had not had a bed for over a week.

Walter Bradshaw, of a school age,
Found himself charged with lack
Of any subsistence and wandering.
Walter, a gentlemanly looking boy
And well spoken, then told his story.

Having gained a grammar school
Scholarship, he was nearing end
Of his schooling, when his father
Died – his mother had also died
Some time before - without relatives
He became destitute and had been
Forced to leave the grammar school.

In gaining labour with a butcher,
Who had agreed to keep him -
But with war, the butcher failed,
And he was again on the streets.
As his clothes became shabby,
He could not find any employ,
And no one would take him in.

Mr Charles Lee, the magistrate,
Found the plucky boy admirable,
In his struggling against all odds -
Declared he would take an interest
In him and help find suitable work.
Meanwhile the Court Missionary,
Was asked to take care of him.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. School Boy Struggles. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 15 Dec. p.3. Col.3. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11285856/Daily-Telegraph-December-15-1914.html [Accessed: 15 December 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 15 December 2014). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Poem ~ Camp Mutiny or Murder? - Monday, 7 December 1914


At the Upwey Camp a detachment
Of 3rd Dorset Regiment
Was stationed, guarding reservoirs,
Providing water supplies to Portland.
On night of Sunday 29 November,
A disturbance quickly broke out,
In the Regiment's canteen.

Officers and a Captain Graham,
Moved into the fray to restore order -
Disagreements became intense.
Exactly how and what was said,
Remained a mystery - when
Rifle fire was suddenly discharged.

Out from one of the huts,
Shots rattled about - shot through
The roof and windows in apparent
Random aim  - firing of which
Amounted to rounds of 150.
The event was recounted
At the Weymouth Coroner's court -
A whodunit turned into whydunit.

Unnamed witnesses, spoke how
That one, Corporal Wilson,
Had fired out of the window
Around the time, when
Private Wallace Williams
Ran into the hut - his face
Covered with blood - he shouted
'Mutiny!' before running outside
Taking a rifle, to be found dead -
Shot directly through the heart -
While another private was wounded.

The investigation of Private Williams'
Death, heard how he was coldly
Described as 'mentally deficient,'
And how that his past conduct
Had undermined discipline -
Corporal Wilson admitted taking shots,
Having fired through the window.

It was beyond doubt how his shot had
Killed Williams - Wilson was charged
With manslaughter  - but that the man
Had no intentions of shooting anyone.
So mercy was recommended on him -
As he was placed under military escort.

The process with hindsight,
Is odd, with no mention of why
Only to say the victim was not
Of sound mind - perhaps
A trap to be rid of a disliked man,
And a cover up by the military?

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Shooting Affair in Camp. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 7 Dec. p.2. Col.3. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11271150/Daily-Telegraph-December-7-1914.html [Accessed: 7 December 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 7 December 2014). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered

Sunday, 30 November 2014

Poem ~ Lady 'Talks' to Soldiers - Monday, 30 November 1914

While no detail is given of name or rank,
A man of the army had refused,
To allow the return of his wife home.
The reason being given:
That she had been speaking with soldiers.

Possibly the man was under the command
Of Admiral Sir Algernon de Horsay
Who addressed the issue,
At the Isle of White Bench on Saturday.

Drawn to his attention the Admiral
Gave the man some advice.
He explained that ‘every good woman
Has sympathy with soldiers,
Fighting for our country.’

Possibly with a humph, he added,
How French women kiss the soldiers,
When they meet, out on the battlefield –
So he advised the husband,
To make allowances for sympathy,
Provided by his wife.

With perhaps another possible humph,
Of contradiction The Admiral stated
That the wife should not continue to do,
What her husband disapproves of.
The Bench closed the curious case,
In hope that the two estranged
Parties would become reunited.

In the suggestion of some
Underlying story, -
Leads to wonder
What exactly is meant,
By the wife who likes ‘talking.’
With soldiers –
A connotation perhaps?
As the Admiral's judgments,
Pertains to liberalism, in war time,
While conjuring an odd picture,
Of battlefield romance.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1914. Admirals Advice to Husband. The Daily Telegraph - Special Sunday Edition, [online] 30 Nov. p.4. Col.5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11261317/Daily-Telegraph-November-30-1914.html [Accessed: 30 November 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 30 November 2014). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11261317/Daily-Telegraph-November-30-1914.html
 

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered

Saturday, 4 October 2014

Poem ~ French Soldier, Aged 15 - Saturday, 3 October 1914



Wounded during the Battle of the Aisne, 
Comes the story reported in the Liberté, 
Of a very young soldier, resting in a Paris
Nursing home - The age of him being fifteen.
A French farm lad had shared in fighting,
In the bombardment of Senlis, days before. 

A farm, North East France close to the river Oise,
Not too far from the town of Senlis, had lost most 
Of its workers to become soldiers. Among them,
One too young to be in the army, was employed 
As a herd-boy - but another story says he is son
Of a market gardener, working fields for his father.
Some say he was 14 and 7 months, some fifteen...

Gustave Chatain is the name of this lad, who
By his hospital bed, has a pair of red, military, 
Made to measure trousers, waiting for him
To wear. He talks of his story in an ingenuous
Way - thinking nothing out of the ordinary,
Of his experiences - He describes himself,
As being strong and big for his young age.

People about Senlis spoke of the nearby Boche, 
That, although the British had come to their side,
There were still too few men trained to fight.
Gustave heard daily stories of Belgium battles, 
Thrilled but anxious as he hears the women fret.
He saw Belgium and French refugees passing
The farm - walking miles, lugging few belongings.

The stories of these people told of Germans
Advancing across their lands, driving them
From homes, which were frequently burned 
Down - people they know have been killed,
Or died, too weak to travel. The enemy 
Is trying to reach Paris - Gustave heard this,
Feeling a growing need to fight the invaders.

The sounds of battle came from beyond Senlis,
As thunderstorms drifting upon the autumn air,
Punctuated by bursting puffs of shell smoke.
The women watched the distance, considering,
If they too would have to leave their homes.
So Gustave trudged the fields, as if looking
To the herds of cows - until he was out of sight.

The boy had decided to fight the Boche.
Walking fast as he could towards the fight,
Gustave, on route, met Chasseurs Alpins, 
And offered help to undertake any errands.
Seeing guns carried in their cart, he asked
For a rifle, the mountain infantry laughed.

'Can a boy like you shoot?' They asked
The lad answered how he shot many crows.
That the Boche would be a just as easy target.
He fell in, warned not to boast too early.
He marched along proudly, until the Captain 
Saw him and as he was a child, sent him away.

He watched, saddened as they marched on.
He did not turn back, but soon saw another
Regiment approach and he joined their march.
He answered that his mother would be proud,
Knowing her four sons would be at the front.
He promised to be good and keep out of sight,
To take shelter in a trench until being needed.

In deciding to look after him till darkness,
The soldiers moved on a short distance until,
Suddenly they saw Uhlans approaching.
Under sharp command they took cover.
Gustave jumped to an embankment, 
To see German cavalry. The French fired,
And the enemy fled, leaving the wounded
And dead - but then a German car appeared.

Rattling a machine gun at the French,
It sped off, killing some of the regiment.
Gustave picked up a rifle and ammunition.
As the company took up new positions,
He followed, unnoticed. Then he took part,
Firing and advancing till the enemy
Was gone - but so too was his company.

Disappointed, he turned and saw a dead
Soldier, as big as him. So he took his cap
And uniform, swearing vengeance for him.
Coming across a newly arrived regiment,
His large uniform was a limited disguise,
So they put him with others of short stature,
Who said he would not now be noticed.

At this stage they came to the Battle 
Of the Marne. Gustave said how he enjoyed
Being able to advance with the regiment.
For days he helped with pride, to dig trenches. 
Gustave described he had been in a charge,
Using a bayonet - getting near the Boche,
By holding up a bundle of hay as a shield.

The din of battle filled with gun sounds,
Of all sizes - shrapnel rips like tearing
Metal sheets, bullets whizzed like bees,
And zipping into the heaped up earth.
Gustave reached as far as their trenches,
Knowing a German's trick to 'sham dead.'
He kicked them to see if this was the case.

Seen as one of pluckiest soldiers, among
The regiment, he was given a fitted uniform, 
With leggings and boots, haversack 
And overcoat. He notes that when his face,
Is spattered with mud, from exploding
Shells, no one can tell his young age.

Gustave showed the reporter his diary,
From the Aisne battle, kept in schoolboy's
Exercise-book - hoping that his spelling
Might be excused. For two days he had
Been in advance, when he thought to go
Into a loft in looking out for the Boche.

The house door was locked and he looked
Through a crack, to see German haversacks
And cartridges on the floor - with loaded
Rifle and bayonet fixed, he broke the door.
Going to the loft he found seven Boche,
Sleeping - he hit the floor and they awoke.

At the sight of the bayonet they raised their hands.
Gustave ordered them out - they were pleased
To surrender, as he handed them to the regiment.
In a scouting party with twelve men, a sergeant,
And corporal, Gustave went to see if the enemy
Occupied two farms and cut any telephone wires.

As they neared the farms the enemy started
Firing - the corporal and five men fell - in yards
Seven more were shot, leaving him and a sergeant.
A bullet hit Gustave's cap. Dropping behind a heap
Of rocks, he fired at the left farm, until he had
No ammunition - after which he ran and gained
A bullet in the right shoulder - to make him hurry.
The Sergeant being struck in the foot, fell down.
Gustave taking him on his back, to carry the man
Back to their lines - the reporter was a little skeptic.

Then a wounded soldier nearby spoke up.
He said how he had been there and the boy, 
Was telling the truth - adding the fact, that wha
He did not, is how officers congratulated him.
How proud they were, as he dined at the table
Of their General. The Military Government of Paris,
On hearing of the lad, stated that once cured,
He will be allowed to return to his adopted regiment.

Gustave returned home for a deserved rest,
Before returning to his chosen regiment, 
On 8 October 1914.  In further fighting, the lad
Was again wounded and then promoted,
To the rank of corporal - the youngest officer 
Of the French army. A faded photograph tells
The story of Gustave Chatain's deserved pride. 
Standing, arms crossed - slightest of smiles 
He regards us, the viewer, with strong eyes.

by Jamie Mann.

Beaumont, A., 1914. Daring Exploits of a French farm Lad - Fighting at Fifteen. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 3 Oct. p.5. Col.1. Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11137066/Daily-Telegraph-October-3-1914.html> [Accessed: 3rd October 2014].

Mackenzie, D. A., 2012. The Baldwin Project, Bringing Yesterday's Classics to Today's Children - Heroes and Heroic Deeds of the Great War - Brave French Boys. [online] Available at: <http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=mackenzie&book=heroes&story=brave> Accessed 4th October 2014].

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



#WW1 #WW1Paris #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered 





Militarian - Military History Forum, 2009. Boy Soldiers - Discussion in World War 1. [online] (updated 2 January 2009) Available at: <http://www.militarian.com/threads/boy-soldiers.6453/> [Accessed 4 October 2014]


Friday, 3 October 2014

Poème ~ Soldat français, âgés de 15 ans - Samedi 3 Octobre 1914


Blessé lors de la bataille de l'Aisne,
Vient le récit rapporté dans la Liberté,
D'un très jeune soldat, se reposant dans un Paris
Maison de retraite - L'âge de l'être quinze.
Un garçon de ferme française avait partagé dans les combats,
Dans le bombardement de Senlis, quelques jours avant.

Une ferme, Nord Est de la France près de la rivière Oise,
Pas trop loin de la ville de Senlis, avait perdu la plupart
De ses travailleurs à devenir des soldats. Parmi eux,
Un trop jeune pour être dans l'armée, a été employé
Comme un pâtre - mais une autre histoire dit qu'il est fils
D'un maraîcher, les champs de son père travailler.
Certains disent qu'il était de 14 et 7 mois, une quinzaine de ...

Gustave Chatain est le nom de ce jeune homme, qui
Par son lit d'hôpital, a une paire de rouge, militaire,
Fabrication sur mesure des pantalons, attendait
Pour porter. Il parle de son histoire dans un ingénu
Way - ne penser à rien hors de l'ordinaire,
De ses expériences - Il se décrit,
Comme étant grand et fort pour son jeune âge.

Les gens sur Senlis parlé de la Boche à proximité,
Que, bien que la Colombie était venu à leur côté,
Il y avait encore trop peu d'hommes formés à combattre.
Gustave entendu des histoires quotidiennes de batailles Belgique,
Ravis mais soucieux comme il l'entend les femmes s'inquiètent.
Il vit en Belgique et réfugiés français en passant
La ferme - marche miles, traînant quelques affaires.

Les histoires de ces gens ont dit des Allemands
Avancer sur leurs terres, les conduisant
Des maisons, qui étaient souvent brûlés
Down - les gens ils savent qu'ils ont été tués,
Ou sont morts, trop faible pour voyager. l'ennemi
Tente de rejoindre Paris - Gustave entendu cela,
Vous vous sentez un besoin croissant pour combattre les envahisseurs.

Les bruits de la bataille sont venus d'au-delà de Senlis,
Comme les orages à la dérive sur l'air de l'automne,
Ponctuée par l'éclatement des bouffées de fumée coque.
Les femmes regardaient la distance, compte tenu,
Si eux aussi auraient à quitter leurs maisons.
Alors Gustave péniblement les domaines, comme s'il cherchait
Pour les troupeaux de vaches - jusqu'à ce qu'il soit hors de vue.

Le garçon avait décidé de lutter contre le Boche.
Marcher vite que possible à la lutte,
Gustave, sur la route, a rencontré Chasseurs Alpins,
Et l'aide offerte de procéder à toutes les courses.
Voyant armes effectuées dans leur panier, il a demandé
Pour un fusil, l'infanterie de montagne se mit à rire.

«Un garçon comme vous pouvez tirer? ils ont demandé
Le garçon répondit comment il a tiré de nombreux corbeaux.
Que le Boche serait une cible aussi facile.
Il est tombé, a mis en garde de ne pas se vanter trop tôt.
Il marcha le long fièrement, jusqu'à ce que le capitaine
Je l'ai vu et comme il était un enfant, lui renvoya.

Il regardait, attristé alors qu'ils marchaient sur​​.
Il ne se retourna pas, mais bientôt vu un autre
Approche Régiment et il a rejoint leur mars.
Il a répondu que sa mère serait fière,
Connaître ses quatre fils serait à l'avant.
Il a promis d'être bon et de garder hors de la vue,
Pour mettre à l'abri dans une tranchée jusqu'à ce qu'il soit nécessaire.

En décidant de s'occuper de lui jusqu'à l'obscurité,
Les soldats se déplaçaient sur ​​une courte distance jusqu'à ce que,
Soudain, ils virent approcher uhlans.
Sous le commandement forte, ils se cachèrent.
Gustave a bondi à un talus,
Pour voir cavalerie allemande. Le français a tiré,
Et l'ennemi s'enfuit, laissant les blessés
Et les morts - mais alors une voiture allemande apparut.

Cliquetis une mitrailleuse à la française,
Il fonça, tuant certains du régiment.
Gustave prit un fusil et des munitions.
Comme l'entreprise a pris de nouvelles positions,
Il a suivi, inaperçu. Puis il a pris part,
Tir et avancer jusqu'à l'ennemi
A disparu - mais l'était aussi son entreprise.

Déçu, il se retourna et vit un mort
Soldat, aussi grand que lui. Alors il prit son chapeau
Et uniforme, jurant vengeance pour lui.
Rencontrant un régiment nouvellement arrivé,
Son grand uniforme était un déguisement limitée,
Donc ils l'ont mis avec d'autres de petite taille,
Qui a dit qu'il ne serait pas maintenant être remarqué.

A ce stade, ils sont venus à la bataille
De la Marne. Gustave dit combien il aimait
Être en mesure d'avancer avec le régiment.
Pendant des jours, il a contribué avec fierté, à creuser des tranchées.
Gustave décrit qu'il avait été dans une charge,
En utilisant une baïonnette - de s'approcher du Boche,
En tenant une botte de foin comme un bouclier.

Le fracas de la bataille rempli de sons pistolet,
De toutes les tailles - des éclats d'obus déchire comme déchirer
Feuilles de métal, balles sifflaient comme des abeilles,
Et passer comme un éclair dans la terre entassée.
Gustave atteint dans la mesure où leurs tranchées,
Connaissant la ruse d'un Allemand à 'imposture mort.
Il a débuté eux de voir si tel était le cas.

Considéré comme l'un des soldats plus audacieuse, entre
Le régiment, il a reçu un uniforme équipée,
Avec des leggings et des bottes, havresac
Et pardessus. Il note que lorsque son visage,
Est maculé de boue, d'exploser
Coquillages, personne ne peut dire à son jeune âge.

Gustave a montré le journaliste son journal,
De la bataille de l'Aisne, conservés dans écolier de
Cahier - en espérant que son orthographe
Pourrait être excusé. Pendant deux jours, il avait
Vous connaissez à l'avance, quand il pensait à aller
Dans un loft à regarder dehors pour le Boche.

La porte de la maison était fermée à clé et il avait l'air
À travers une fissure, pour voir musettes allemands
Et cartouches sur le sol - avec charge
Fusil et baïonnette au canon, il a cassé la porte.
Aller à la mezzanine il a trouvé sept Boche,
Dormir - il a frappé le sol et ils se réveilla.

A la vue de la baïonnette, ils ont levé leurs mains.
Gustave leur a ordonné de sortir - ils étaient satisfaits
Pour se rendre, comme il les a remis au régiment.
Dans un groupe d'éclaireurs avec douze hommes, un sergent,
Et corporels, Gustave est allé voir si l'ennemi
Occupé deux fermes et couper les fils téléphoniques.

Comme ils approchaient de la ferme l'ennemi a commencé
Tir - le caporal et cinq hommes ont chuté - dans les gares
Sept autres ont été tués, lui et un sergent de partir.
Une balle a touché le chapeau de Gustave. Tomber derrière un tas
Des roches, il a tiré à la ferme gauche, jusqu'à ce qu'il ait
Aucune munition - après quoi il a couru et gagné
Une balle dans l'épaule droite - pour lui faire dépêcher.
Le sergent d'être frappé dans le pied, est tombé.
Gustave le prendre sur son dos, pour mener l'homme
Retour à leurs lignes - le journaliste était un peu sceptique.

Puis un soldat blessé à proximité prit la parole.
Il a dit comment il avait été là et le garçon,
Disait la vérité - en ajoutant le fait que ce
Il n'a pas, est de savoir comment les agents l'ont félicité.
Comment ils étaient fiers, comme il dînait à la table
De leur général. Le gouvernement militaire de Paris,
Sur audition de l'enfant, a déclaré que, une fois guéri,
Il sera autorisé à retourner à son régiment adopté.

Gustave retourné à la maison pour un repos bien mérité,
Avant de retourner à son régiment choisi,
Le 8 Octobre 1914 En plus des combats, le garçon
A été de nouveau blessé, puis promu,
Pour le grade de caporal - le plus jeune officier
De l'armée française. Une photo jaunie dit
L'histoire de fierté méritée de Gustave Chatain.
Debout, les bras croisés - moindre des sourires
Il nous a, le spectateur ce qui concerne, les yeux forts.

par Jamie Mann.

Beaumont, A., 1914. Daring Exploits of a French farm Lad - Fighting at Fifteen. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 3 Oct. p.5. Col.1. Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11137066/Daily-Telegraph-October-3-1914.html> [Accessed: 3rd October 2014].

Mackenzie, D. A., 2012. The Baldwin Project, Bringing Yesterday's Classics to Today's Children - Heroes and Heroic Deeds of the Great War - Brave French Boys. [online] Available at: <http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=mackenzie&book=heroes&story=brave> Accessed 4th October 2014].

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



#WW1 #WW1Paris #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered


Militarian - Military History Forum, 2009. Boy Soldiers - Discussion in World War 1. [online] (updated 2 January 2009) Available at: <http://www.militarian.com/threads/boy-soldiers.6453/> [Accessed 4 October 2014]


Poem ~ Senegalese Fight in France - Saturday, 3 October 1914


Oddly, perhaps, despite cultural suppression,
Of black expressions and the proliferation
Of British Institutions, many British colonies
Gave staunch support to the outbreak
Of war. In spite of hardships these people
Gave donations - thousands of pounds -
But more notably gave themselves to fight.

Comes the curious article from the time,
On human fraternity between the British
Troops and the ‘blacks from Senegal.’
Together they were to fight side by side.
A reporter witnesses how on French soil
How they and Tommy Atkins become friends.

The reporter tells how Tommy is surprised
When a black man attempts to speak French.
Their conversation is made by gestures -
A picturesque sight is made in a village,
Whenever Tommy and a black man meet.
Using fingers, hands and arms, until
A Senegal speaks English words to say
‘Me fight with France, you fight with France too.’

The basic English words from the black man,
That this reporter believes, must be gained
From some African port. Fraternity is made
Stronger from the broken talk - Tommy laughs,
As the black man takes a glass to tell him;
‘Black man drink no beer, black man drink wine.’

Other fresh arrivals of black soldiers join them,
Who are yet to raise their rifles at the enemy.
The men are eager to prove what they can do,
Through an interpreter ask, 'where is the enemy?'
The ‘tall stalwart Negros’ then gave their word,
Not to cut up the dead - It is enough to kill
The enemy, then leave them to kill another.

More laughter and beer is made again in offer.
But taking it they ask for better tasting water.
Again the newcomers ask where is the fight -
Until the order comes to start their march.
They are told the Germans are only ten miles
Away - they stride as if distance was nothing,
Smiling - soon signs of shells are seen nearing
Their progress. During a halt, some of them climb
A tree, looking to see the enemy shells bursting.

Black men, with impatient swinging of arms,
Act as if they are ready to catch the shells.
They're assured by Tommy Atkins not to worry.
Before the day is ended Tommy promises,
The fresh soldiers will see many more shells.

by Jamie Mann.

Beaumont, A., 1914. Brothers in Black. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 3 Oct. p.10. Col.3. Available online at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11137066/Daily-Telegraph-October-3-1914.html [Accessed: 3rd October 2014].

Howe, G. D.,2013. A White Man's War? World War One and the West Indies
Brothers in Black. BBC [online]  (Last updated 2011-03-10). Available at: <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/west_indies_01.shtml> Accessed 3rd October 2014].

Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 3rd October 2014). 



#WW1 #Senegalese #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered