Wilfred Owen, 1893-1918

[gillo]

Today is the centenary of the death of he young poet, Wilfred Owen. ONE WEEK before the Armistice he was shot by a sniper

Comments

[sartorresartus]

Both my grandfathers fought, and were injured. Had they died, I would not be me. My grandmother was RAD, and made sure no lad died alone in her hospital. She told of many a night sitting, waiting, for the inevitable to happen. Young men with horrible injuries, sans limbs, sans eyes, sans insides, patched and dispatched back to Blighty to die.

Grandpa fought from 1914 to 1917, and unsurprisingly got his papers due to Shell Shock (PTSD).

I was too young to talk with them before they died, but I gather, like so many of their ilk, they didn't talk about what they saw, what they did, or how things were.

We shall remember them. We shall remember all of them.

[gillo]

One grandfather fought - family legend says in the RFC, but we can't find actual evidence. The other, born 1904, left school at 13 and went straight down the mine as his father's apprentice. He told me about the times when the pumps broke, and all the miners went up, but he, his father and brother stayed mending said pump, up to their waists in water.

They must all be remembered, those who fought and those who waited or worked at home.

[brunettepet]

A hundred years on and this poem and the poet's death resonates even more.

[gillo]

Indeed. I still feel anger that his life was thrown away. That they waited till 11.11 on 11/11. How many men died waiting for the symbolic moment?

[velvetwhip]

He has always been one of my favorite poets and his pointless death really underscores the tragedy and futility and horror of war.

Gabrielle

[gillo]

Indeed it does. Such a powerful poet, and perhaps with so much more to give. His mother received the news of his death as the church bells rang out the news of the Armistice.

[velvetwhip]

I know. The first time I read about that, I burst into tears. My god.

Gabrielle

[davesmusictank]

One of my favourite poems,

[thismaz]

At the going down of the sun and in the morning...