Source: File: Job
Drain.jpg, 2014. The Daily Telegraph. [online] (updated July 30 2014) Available at: < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11258892/Daily-Telegraph-November-28-1914.html> Accessed: 29 November 2014].
Source: File: Job
Drain's Victoria Cross.jpg, 2014. First World War: Barking’s Victoria Cross
hero Job Drain commemorated in new book. Sophie Morton [online] (updated 10
August 2014) Available at:
<http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/heritage/first_world_war_barking_s_victoria_cross_hero_job_drain_commemorated_in_new_book_1_3717372>
Accessed: 29 November 2014].
A lad from
Barking,
Of 18 years.
His name Job
Drain,
Had already been
In the army two
years,
When war broke
out,
In August 1914.
With his full
name,
Job Henry Charles
Drain
In the position
of driver.
Went to France
and Belgium
In the Royal
Field Artillery,
With the 37th
Battery -
From the very
start of war,
In August 1914.
On the day of the
26 August,
With the retreat
of Mons,
Came conflict at
Le Cateau.
A defensive line
set
About the French
town,
In forming
protection
Of their forces -
became
An artillery
man's battle,
In August 1914.
In the chaos of
retreat,
A formation of
Howitzers,
Set out to protect
BEF.
Among the teams,
A driver, Job
Drain,
Caught in midst
of fight,
To reform gun
positions,
On a summers day,
In August 1914.
To regain two
guns,
Captain Reynolds,
Of the 37th
Battery,
Called for
volunteers,
To recover their
loss.
Driver Drain, Driver
Luke,
And a man,
Gobley,
Stepped forward,
At the battle of
le Cateau,
In August 1914.
Together, the men
Moved forward,
Dodging enemy
shots,
At a hundred
yards -
Reaching the
stalled guns,
Of 4.5 inch
Howitzers -
Rapidly limbering
up
They turned about
With Gobley
mounted.
But the man was
shot,
In August 1914.
With the Captain
Running, guiding
Another pair,
Driver Job Drain
Took the shot
man's
Place, to move
on,
And save that
gun,
In August 1914.
This team helped
Prevent
destruction
Of the BEF soldiers,
By their actions.
Captain Reynolds,
Driver F Luke,
Driver J Drain,
Received the VC,
Reported in
November,
From August 1914.
Young Job Drain,
And Frederick
Luke
Survived war,
Gaining the rank
Of Sergeants.
Later, Sergeant
Drain
Formed the guard
Of honour, in the
burial
Of the unknown
warrior,
Long after that
day
In August 1914.
Back in Barking
Life had changed
On Job Drain's
return.
As he received
honours
For his act of
bravery.
Now his statue
stands
To mark his
courage,
With a foot
forward
He looks outward,
From a battle
day,
In August 1914.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914. Boy V.C. Hero. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 29
Nov. P.3. Col.4. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11258892/Daily-Telegraph-November-28-1914.html
[Accessed: 29 November 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 29 November 2014).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary
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