Armistice Day … Great War Poets ...

 

The slate stone slab at Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey, commemorates sixteen of the Great War Poets … unveiled on 11 November 1985, the 67^th anniversary of the Armistice.

There's an inscription which quotes from Wilfred Owen's “Preface” to his poems:

My subject is War, and the pity of War.

The Poetry is in the pity.

Poets of the First World War
Memorial in Westminster Abbey

Isaac Rosenberg who died on 1^st April 1918 at Fampoux, near Calais, is one of the sixteen poets recorded on the slate.

Rosenberg's self-portrait … he became interested in both poetry and visual art … he has an interesting history – sad, he like so many others, died so young.

Rosenberg's self-portrait

Thinking of what these incredible men and women endured for us … their courage … and suffering.

If … if only … if only … we could respect each other in this world … we are all human … we would live happily together and benefit with this life of ours …

Let's spread peace without destruction of our lives, our culture, our societies …

I list the poets inscribed on the Memorial:

Richard Aldington; Laurence Binyon; Edmund Blunden; Rupert Brooke; Wilfrid Gibson; Robert Graves; Julian Grenfell; Ivor Gurney; David Jones; Robert Nichols; Wilfred Owen; Herbert Read; Isaac Rosenberg; Siegfried Sassoon; Charles Sorley; Edward Thomas.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Canadian – Sussex – War Artists at Cuckmere Haven on the South Downs …

 

Canadians were stationed near here in both World Wars … we think of War but don't often relate to which one … sad, but true …

Cuckmere River running out to the
English Channel with its oxbow lakes

A blog post had sent me off to the Group of Seven landscape artists, who were prominent Canadian artists practising at the Algonquin School, Ontario (1920 – 1933) …

… a group I had heard about because Emily Carr, the Modernist and Post-Impressionist style artist lived on Vancouver Island - where I encountered her, was associated with the group.

Frederick Varley's 'The Gas Chamber at
Seaford' (1918)

I am getting to my point for the post! … for whatever reason I decided to read on about the Group of Seven, then came across a view I immediately recognised … but it was of the Cuckmere Valley, Sussex in 1918 … so now … I looked further.

Lord Beaverbrook (1879 - 1964), a Canadian-British newspaper publisher, had recommended, Frederick Varley, (1881 – 1969), as a World War One war artist … hence he was commissioned to Sussex.

Our iconic view from Seaford Head looking 
eastwards towards Eastbourne

Now – this coastline – the chalk downland above Eastbourne, where Beachy Head is to be found – is usually remembered for its film sets, as too tv background scenes, adverts … and a beauty spot for us all to visit …

c/o BBC March 2023

… it too today retains its dangers … a new crack has opened up – danger on the cliffs, danger below …

This iconic view has over time drawn professional and amateur artists to spend time here enjoying painting en plein air. Graham Greene and H.G. Wells both referred to walking in this area …

Eric Ravilious (c 1939)
Cuckmere Haven

So to tie this in … Eric Ravilious (1903 - 1942), a British painter, designer, book illustrator and wood-engraver, grew up in Sussex being particularly known for his watercolours of the South Downs and love of the Seven Sisters' coastline and Downland …

He served as a war artist and was the first British artist to die on active service in WW II when the aircraft he was in was lost off Iceland.

I was surprised and interested to see Varley's art – 'The Gas Chamber at Seaford' – giving us an idea about the training for the mustard gas attacks that had started to be used in WW1 …

… and being able to jot down a few notes here covering the above aspects … and a few more links to be found below should they interest you …

Seven Sisters chalk coastline looking west

Obviously there's another war link today … we have Ukraine refugees here … 

East Sussex WW1 - gas chamber information ... 

Eastbourne College - Summerdown WW1 camp 

Frederick Varley (1881 - 1969)   

Self-portrait ... found at this interesting website:  Thematic Stamp Collection ... details of Varley's self-portrait on the 17c stamp issued 1981 - painting completed c 1945

Eric Ravilious - a film entitled 'Drawn to War' ... preview of film here ... 

I'm recovering from being off colour and fed up with things ... but all well - and I'll get to the English language posts shortly ... have two talks to give on Monday ... after that!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Nothing's Changed: Remembrance

 

Anthem for Doomed Youth

written by

Wilfred Owen – September 1917

       What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

              - Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Draft of the poem

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC – he died a week before the war's end at the age of 25

(18 March 1893 – 4 November 1918)

Scabious

He had written home including water colour sketches of places, churches and castles; then also the joys he was able to behold … Poppies, Larkspur, Scabious, Ragged Robin and more – despite the absolute trench horror.

Ragged Robin

There's a very good film – Benediction: which brings to life the poetry of Siegfried Sassoon, who was a mentor to Wilfred Owen who also features in the film.

Some links: The History Girls reminding me about Owen's Anthem …

Sight Lines Magazine – film review of Benediction

While the Military Cross – reminds me of my father's award from WWII

Wilfred Owen is buried with his men in Ors Communal Cemetery, Northern France

Where Owen rests in
Ors Cemetery - with his men

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Moment of Silence … Remembrance Day 11th November 2021

 

I have been wondering what to write this year – at least to make us all remember, perhaps in a somewhat different approach to Remembrance Day – which we always commemorate on the Sunday nearest to the 11^th of November – when the Armistice was signed in 1918 … the inauguration of our Remembrance Day was set one year later.

The Cenotaph, London

The world does not seem to have learnt any lessons … and albeit in 2000 I felt we were in a golden era – things have definitely taken a turn for the worse as the years go by.

I was somewhat surprised to read that a blogger from a European nation wondered why remembering Remembrance Day was relevant today – as we only read about it in books … I'm sure their family would have fought in both Wars … it has shocked me.

The University of Leicester's
reminder

We live today in relative peace and harmony because of all the souls lost in War, or hurt by any War– we are so fortunate.

When I looked for a different approach … I noted how the Moment of Silence came about … that period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation – that genuine gesture of respect dedicated to the dead.

It seems to have originated in Portugal in 1912 but was a ten minute dedication of silence … we usually apply the one minute silence – except on special occasions …

… or as we do every year on our Remembrance Day – the two minute silence is held at the Cenotaph … we need to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us to live in peace.

The Peace Lily

There were a great many small commemorations around the British Isles yesterday – the 11^th day – and on Sunday we will observe the formal commemoration at the Cenotaph in London.

With special thanks to all who have allowed us to live today …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Remembrance Day 2020 … one hundred and two years after the end of World War 1 …

 

Over the years I have written a few posts on past Remembrance Days …

 

White Peace Poppy

… this year I am concentrating on the white poppy – the emblem of peace … in today’s world an appropriate remembrance to hold in our hearts.

 

White Wreath for Peace at the
Cenotaph, Whitehall, London: 2018 

Michael Morpurgo – the Children’s author – decided to wear a white poppy alongside the British Legion’s red one … symbolising those who fought, were injured, or sadly died for us in war … keeping us safe …

 

… stating that the white poppy is for our peace … as today remembrance is changing, and will change, as the decades pass since those two world wars.

 

We are grateful for all who stand for us in action and in peace … protecting our families, so all peoples can live in respectful harmony.

 

Michael Morpurgo – best known for his children’s novels such as War Horse and the film …

 

First edition of his novel
War Horse

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Remembrance Day … Making Peace with Death …

On this day of Remembrance we will all be viewing departures from this life in different ways depending on our life experiences and those of our family members gone before us …

 

A British charity providing financial, social and
emotional support to members and veterans of the
of the British Armed Forces, their families and
dependants; their motto "Service not Self"

… I mentioned in my last post that I went to see an exhibition in 2012/3 about the value of art in communicating ideas about death - back then I wasn’t quite as ready to see it – yet felt compelled that I should …

... but decided to wait until next year to post about it … there’s quite a lot to show and mention …

The Cenotaph in
Whitehall (2014)

So today – I’ll be remembering everyone I've known who has left this world … including the lady I befriended over the years my mother was in the Nursing Centre - she died eleven days ago, two days after her 80^th … 

Eirene - Goddess of Peace

... she had not had an easy life - eighteen years of it had been spent in the Nursing Centre … but with the encouragement and care particularly of the staff, and us, she had a lovely happy birthday, perked up considerably, dying in peace … all we can do for others helps …

Cardinal Newman (1801 – 1890), who has recently been made a Saint (our first since 1615 and more about him anon), stood for the life of the spirit against the forces that would debase human dignity and human destiny …

His Eminence Saint
John Henry Newman in 1881
before his canonization

This today is the simple message I hope we can remember … we need to be compassionate to all and to understand each other …

I watched the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, … which always brings tears to my eyes reminding us of who and how many have helped through all the War years … 

We Will Not Forget …

Royal British Legion

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Courage, Commitment and Bravery … D-Day 2019

The moving commemorative events held this week on the 75th anniversary of D-Day … were only the start of the end ... 

50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day 1995:
Lancaster Bomber dropping poppies in front
of Buckingham Palace

... it was another 11 months before Victory in Europe could be formally acknowledged, when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered its armed forces.

Military Cross

One hundred years ago today my father was born, twenty-five years later he was on shores of France … he fought for Britain, the free world, his life and for others to live … he was awarded the Military Cross …

… like many, my parents, did not talk about their Army experiences, but certainly their lives were affected, then they lived on with their families … until their time came.

Painted in the middle of the
Second World War
Navy, Air Force, Army personnel
depicted, but we must remember
all the others behind the scenes

I’m sure my family would endorse all elements of the 2019 D-Day Proclamation that ceremonially commits its 16 signatories:

“To work constructively as friends and allies to find common ground” even where their opinions differ and “to work together to resolve international tensions peacefully.”

The Proclamation was signed by:  

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the USA.

… and states:

"Over the last 75 years, our nations have stood up for peace in Europe and globally, for democracy, tolerance and the rule of law.

We re-commit today to those shared values because they support the stability and prosperity of our nations and our people.

We will work together as allies and friends to defend these freedoms whenever they are threatened."

Allied Invasion Force on D-Day 1944

I, on my own behalf, and everyone who reads this blog would encourage us all to be humble, remember what they were willing to give – we have to preserve this brave and courageous generation’s legacy of Peace and Freedom.

Let Us Not Forget ... 

My detailed post (in the A-Z format) on the 70th anniversary in 2014 can be found here ... 

I'd like to add a note to this post:  One thing I've learnt is - we need to understand history, the different peoples of this world, their culture and customs etc - before we go expecting others to be like us ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We are the World Blogfest # 25: The Lemon Tree Trust ...

‘Growing Home’ … a way of giving life to a war-torn world … war gardeners brighten up the lives of those who have to live in imprisoned spaces …

 

c/o The Lemon Tree Trust site

… planting seeds to give colour, to let there be food, to have shelter in the dust of northern Iraq, or as the Royal Horticultural Society found in an internment camp a hundred years ago …

… the wheels of time go around, sadly nothing much changes, yet humans will always have hope and work towards improving themselves … wherever they are – even in ‘prison camps’.

"We had so many flowers in Syria.  This garden
makes me happy" ...

The Lemon Tree Trust, a not-for-profit organisation, active since 2014, supporting greening initiatives in forced migration camps … helps marginalised communities …

A haven for the children, who live or were born, in the camp

Urban agriculture, however limited, starts a process to create new and unrealised potential for those with nothing … 

One of the kits available for a household in
a refugee camp

... it gives them joy – a flower for its scent or delightful beauty, extra food – vegetables and fruits, dignity for the gardeners, hope for their families and others, and a sanctuary – a quiet personal space …

Ten gardens …

       Ten plus ‘war gardeners’ …

                Seeds were sown …

                        Greening started and was nourished …

                                Stories flowed, ideas spread …

                                        Insects and birds came …

        

A wondrous patch of land gave these hardworking gardeners some solace, where roots could be put down – even in their time of displacement … for many years ahead.

The video about the Liberation Garden is
on the Lemon Tree site

Domiz is a camp for Syrian refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan … which gives us an insight into the Trust’s work there … it is quite extraordinary and so wonderful to see …

A panorama of Ruhleben camp taken in 1917 by
Nico Jungmann, one of the detainees - who was
an Anglo-Dutch painter

…  man can be amazing, so generous, so adaptable, so accepting (in that there’s no choice) … the Trust gives them opportunities to personalise their lives within the patches of land available.

Please look at the videos on the Lemon Tree Trust’s site to see the wonderful little havens of love they have created for their families and community …

Archival photo inside Ruhleben's Horticultural
Society's Nursery

This Lemon Tree Trust link is to the Royal Horticultural Society’s video and information on the Ruhleben Internment Camp … where requests from the camp to the RHS mirror those being made today fromDomiz and other refugee camps …

This is the link to Wikipedia’s page on Refugee Camps – a long informative overview – with detail of the camps around the world.

We are the World  -  In Darkness, Be Light

The Lemon Tree Trust site includes a number of videos on the refugee gardeners, the gardens, about Domiz camp and more ... "Growing Home" video (10 minutes - well worth the watch)...

Please check out some of the videos and the gardens in Domiz - with some of the facts of life there ... it's informative and (sadly) interesting ... but heart-warming ... 

Lemon Tree - used by Tom Massey in
the RHS Chelsea's 2018 garden

Wiki page on Ruhleben Internment Camp - interesting to read the history on this camp in WW1 ... 

Tom Massey, the landscape and garden designer for The Lemon Tree Trust garden at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Chelse 2018 ... the details are here ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories