'What are you guarding, Man-at-Arms?' authorship established

[Simon Jones]

I decided to do some research into the authorship of this poem about the Menin Gate and came up with the author, a DCM winner who served throughout the war with the 2nd London Scottish. I have put the story onto my new blog.

regards

Simon

[Liz in Eastbourne]

That's very interesting, Simon. Thanks.

Liz

[Simon Jones]

Thanks Liz.

[hazelclark]

It's a bit reminiscent of;

"Oh what can ail thee knight at arms,

Alone and palely loitering"

The sedge is withered on the lake,

And no birds sing"

Quite appropriate too i thought.

H.C.

[Simon Jones]

Thanks Hazel, I hadn't picked that up but it's there as a conscious or unconscious reference evoking both chivalry and pathos.

[John S]

One of my favourite poems, thank you for the research.

regards

Johhn

[chrislock]

Simon. I have this poem framed and mounted within my study where I live and work in Wipers today. It always saddened me to see "anon" written below but now I can amend this and rightly so. It is a superb poem and I thank you most graciously for bringing this particular former soldiers identity and battalion to public notice. Perhaps you would consider to inform the CWGC and Last Post Association in Ypres for their awareness?

Also would you happen to know the rank of former soldier and poet, number 4359 Eric Hayden DCM please?

Chris

[Simon Jones]

Thank you John and Chris.

Eric Haydon was a private throughout and his TF number was 511033. I have just located the citation for his DCM which is an astonishing one, typical of 1918 actions that would have got the VC in 1914. I have added it to the blog post.

regards

Simon

[squirrel]

Thank you. Cracking piece of research - well done that man!

[chrislock]

Thank you for his rank heads up Simon.

Chris.

[Kath]

First class, Simon.

Kath.

[paulgranger]

As an ex-London Scot, I've found this very interesting. I wonder if Regimental Headquarters are aware of the poemn and the connection?

[Simon Jones]

Thanks all.

Paul, I assume they don't know about it.

regards

Simon

[David Ridgus]

Thanks Hazel, I hadn't picked that up but it's there as a conscious or unconscious reference evoking both chivalry and pathos.

Terrific research Simon, congratulations. The Keats reference hit me too straightaway. Reflecting the importance of poetry to so many people at the time, my guess it is a conscious nod to the past, for the reasons you set out above.

Thank you again

David

PS I'm teaching war poetry to Year 9 at the moment. No prizes for guessing which poem they are going to be introduced to on Wednesday!

[Simon Jones]

Thanks David, a great poem for kids especially if you've looked at La Belle Dame. Will you also be singing it?

[David Ridgus]

Thanks David, a great poem for kids especially if you've looked at La Belle Dame. Will you also be singing it?

Probably not with my Year 9s!

[Ghazala]

What a great forum this is with topics such as this.

[Simon Jones]

Thanks Ghazala!