Voice From A War Grave

[mjh]

I've come across this lovely poem which I'd like to share . It's by George Sewell and that's all I know about it, so if anyone can shed further info please do.

Poignant words , and perhaps a poem to carry with you when visiting the cemeteries of WW1

[Amberdog]

Thanks for sharing that.

[BillyH]

Nice one MJH,

- - - and being a bit of a Philistine, it makes easier reading than some of the Great War poets work!

BillyH.

[squirrel]

Nice find - thanks for posting it.

[Michelle Young]

Wonder if that was written by the late actor George Sewell? I recall seeing him at the WFA Cenotaph service once or twice and believe he was a WFA member.

Michelle

[BillyH]

Wonder if that was written by the late actor George Sewell? I recall seeing him at the WFA Cenotaph service once or twice and believe he was a WFA member.

I have just been revisiting this topic because I wanted to make use of the poem.

Google has revealed that George Sewell the actor played the part of Douglas Haig in the 1960's New York production of "Oh What a Lovely War."

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/apr/11/guardianobituaries.television

Can anyone say for sure if it was the actor who wrote this poem?

BillyH.

[Stoppage Drill]

Those who find the presence of children laughing and playing in a war cemetery to be inappropriate might well reflect on those words.

[bruce]

I don't care who wrote it.....I will use it on the coach as I approach the first cemetery we are due to visit on Friday.

Bruce

[BillyH]

I don't care who wrote it.....I will use it on the coach as I approach the first cemetery we are due to visit on Friday.

It certainly puts things in perspective doesn't it.

But I do want to know who wrote it, any takers please?

BillyH.

[MelPack]

Billy

I think that this might be your man:

http://www.georgeesewell.com/

He describes himself as a cognitive philanthropist and has written poetry books such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/Gnome-Candle-Me-Reflections-winters/dp/146641569X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319739259&sr=1-2

Note that the poem is about a generic war grave and not necessarily a CWGC one.

[Chris_Baker]

Wonder if that was written by the late actor George Sewell? I recall seeing him at the WFA Cenotaph service once or twice and believe he was a WFA member.

Michelle

He was a WFA member and a regular at the Abergavenny weekend seminars we used to have. I got to know him quite well. Lovely fellow.

[BillyH]

Billy

I think that this might be your man:

http://www.georgeesewell.com/

He describes himself as a cognitive philanthropist and has written poetry books such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/Gnome-Candle-Me-Reflections-winters/dp/146641569X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319739259&sr=1-2

Note that the poem is about a generic war grave and not necessarily a CWGC one.

Thanks for that Mel,

I think you are probably right, I have managed to get this George Sewell's e-mail address and I hope to hear back from him.

I will update this topic as and when.

BillyH.

[BillyH]

Returning to this one.

I have had an excellent response from the George Sewell mentioned in post #10, but unfortunately he has told me that he didn't write the poem.

Perhaps it may still be the late George Sewell (Actor).

BillyH.

[delta]

I'm glad to have read this poem.
I don't visit every cemetery I pass but I do chat to those resting in peace when I do stop at a location.

Seems rude not to acknowledge them

[The Scorer]

I suppose that it could be this chap ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sewell_(physician)?

He's described as "an English physician and poet, known as a controversialist and hack-writer". There's no mention of the actual poem in the article, or in his Dictionary of National Biography reference - https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Sewell,_George_(DNB00) - but they both say that he wrote several volumes of poetry.

It didn't make him any money, though - he died of consumption at Hampstead, in poverty, on 8 February 1726. On 12 February he was given a pauper's funeral.

[seaJane]

Doesn't feel as old as 1726 to me.

Maybe ask at the Poetry Library?

http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/queries/askalibrarian/

[BillyH]

Thanks SJ - I'll give it a try.

BillyH.

[The Scorer]

Doesn't feel as old as 1726 to me.

Maybe ask at the Poetry Library?

http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/queries/askalibrarian/

Yes, on reflection I think that you may be right.

It reminds me of this poem by Michael Edwards - called, I think, "The Day My Family Came":

"I half awoke to a strange new calm

And a sleep that would not clear

For this was the sleep to cure all harm

And which freezes all from fear.

Shot had come from left and right

With shrapnel, shell and flame

And turned my sunlit days to night

Where now none would call my name.

Years passed me by as I waited,

Missed the generations yet to come,

Sadly knew I would not be fated

To be a father, hold a son.

I heard again the sounds of war

When twenty years of sleep had gone,

For five long years, maybe more,

Till peace once more at last had come.

More years passed, new voices came,

The stones and trenches to explore,

But no-one ever called my name

So I wished and waited ever more.

Each time I thought, perhaps, perhaps,

Perhaps this time they must call me,

But they only called for other chaps,

No-one ever called to set me free.

Through years of lonely vigil kept,

To look for me they never came,

None ever searched or even wept,

Nobody stayed to speak my name.

Until that summer day I heard

Some voices soft and strained with tears,

Then I knew that they had come

To roll away those wasted years.

Their hearts felt out to hold me,

Made me whole like other men,

But they had come just me to see,

Drawing me back home with them.

Now I am at peace and free to roam

Where 'ere my family speak my name,

That day my soul was called back home

For on that day my family came."

I'm not saying that they are by the same person, but the "starting point" i.e. they are both "written" by someone who is dead and in a grave is the same - so maybe there is a connection?

[BillyH]

On 6/9/2016 at 15:52, seaJane said:

Doesn't feel as old as 1726 to me.

Maybe ask at the Poetry Library?

http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/queries/askalibrarian/

 

Just to report back on this. I tried the Poetry Library but they haven't bothered to reply. Disappointing.

 

BillyH.

[seaJane]

Oh  sorry about that.

[stevew]

I always read this poem out on a first visit to a cemetery when on tour.  It's amazing how many of the guests would like a copy.

I always mention George Sewell the actor as a possible author for the poem saying about his interest in the Great War, but also put a disclaimer that it may not be him.  Every now and then I try and find out a bit more about the poem, but to no avail

[travers61]

A little more on it's origins:

George Sewell was moved to write this poem after a visit to the Somme battlefields where his guide was Jack Horsfall, a former Regular Army warrant officer.

‘On our first visit to a cemetery we started talking in hushed and reverential tones. Jack remonstrated: “Don’t lower your voices” he said. “These lads are soldiers, they’re glad you came, they like to hear you talk.  Don’t stifle your laughter; soldiers like a good joke. Just carry on normally. They’ll appreciate your visit all the more.” ‘

https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/2018/02/voice-from-a-war-grave/

This military historian & author who passed away in 2008 looks a great fit for the battlefield guide mentioned.

https://www.burnleyinthegreatwar.info/horsfalljack.htm

Edited 13 December , 2023 by travers61

[caulkheader]

19 hours ago, stevew said:

I always read this poem out on a first visit to a cemetery when on tour.  It's amazing how many of the guests would like a copy.

 

Snap!

Our little group have made doing this ‘a thing’.
Amazing too, how many times other visitors have heard us doing this and stop and listen.

T