Charles Sorley

[andigger]

I was just wondering if anyone knew where the poet Charles Sorley was buried. He was the 20 year old captain in the Suffolks who was killed in the attack on Loos 13 Oct 1915.

Oddly enough I just heard a speaker on his life who seemed well versed on things except for if his body was recovered and buried.

Andy

[Greenwoodman]

As he is still commemorated on the Loos Memorial, it would seem that his body was never recovered, or at least not identified.

[gord97138]

A Poem By Charles Sorely:

ALL THE HILLS AND VALES ALONG

All the hills and vales along

Earth is bursting into song,

And the singers are the chaps

Who are going to die perhaps.

O sing, marching men,

Till the valleys ring again.

Give your gladness to earth’s keeping,

So be lad, when you are sleeping.

Cast away regret and rue,

Think what you are marching to.

Little live, great pass.

Jesus Christ and Barabbas

Were found the same day.

This died, that went his way.

So sing with joyful breath,

For why, you are going to death.

Teeming earth will surely store

All the gladness that you pour.

Earth that never doubts nor fears,

Earth that knows of death, not tears,

Earth that bore with joyful ease

Hemlock for Socrates,

Earth that blossomed and was glad

‘Earth the cross that Christ had,

Shall rejoice and blossom too

When the bullet reaches you.

Wherefore, men marching

On the road to fear sing!

Pour your gladness on earth’s

So be merry, so dead.

From the hills and valleys earth

Shouts back the sound of mirth,

Tramp of feet and lilt of song

Ringing all the road along.

All the music of their going,

Ringing swinging lad son-throwing,

Earth will echo still, when foot

Lies numb and voice mute.

On, marching men, on

To the gates of death with song.

Sow your gladness for earth’s reaping,

So you may be glad, though sleeping.

Stew your gladness on earth’s bed,

So be merry, so be dead.

By: Charles Hamilton Sorley