Question about an epitaph

[iain mchenry]

On a recent walking trip on the Somme, we were discussing moving epitaphs we had read whilst touring the Western Front.

Fellow Pal Clive Harris mentioned one that really caught me:

"He saw through the filth of battle

And thought death a fair price to pay

to be in the company of these fellows."

For the life of me I cannot remember:

a. Whose grave the epitaph is on.

b. What cemetary the grave is in, on the Somme.

c. The background to the soldiers death

Could anyone out there put me out of my misery?

Thanks

Iain

[Piglet]

On the grave of 2Lt William Alexander Stanhope Forbes, DCLI, died 3 Sep 16 and buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, Somme. CWGC gives 3Bn DCLI, but I suspect he was 1st Bn.

[paul guthrie]

Paul Reed uses this at the bottom of his posts.

[iain mchenry]

Thanks for the answer pals.

Regards

Iain

[Paul Reed]

So I do.

His father was a Royal Acadamy painter; I would like gto think he composed the inscription, but I have a feeling it comes from Chaucer's The Knight's Tale.

[Guest Simon Bull]

Is my memory playing tricks on me or is this epitaph also on the grave of Raymond Asquith or one of those buried near to him at Guillemont Road?

Simon Bull

[Tom Morgan]

Your memory is doing fine, Simon. Forbes (who has that inscription) is buried very close to Asquith, whose inscription is:

Small time but in that small most greatly lived this star of England.

Tom