War Grave Inscription

[Alan Seymour]

While looking through an original, 1920, IWGC hardback copy of War Grave of the British Empire, France 2 FORCEVILLE, France. I came across the following:- CLAY, Rfn. John, 6634. 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Died of wounds 28th March, 1916. Age 18. Son of Mrs. Clay and the late Thomas Clay, of Lamberg, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland.

The part that interested me was this additional information:- The inscription on the original wooden cross, erected by his comrades, read;

"Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er;

Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking;

Dream of fighting fields no more;

Day of toil and night of waiting"

Plot 1. Row A. Grave 6.

On checking the CWGC Debt of Honour Register. I was pleased to see that this information is still retained and on display in the 'Additional Information' section. John, only 18 when he died of his wounds but must have been well thought of by his comrades for them to include the inscription on the original wooden cross - I wonder if it was ever transferred to stone when the wooden cross was replaced?

Alan Seymour

[Simon_Fielding]

Just by the way, the poem is from _The Lady of the Lake_ by Sir Walter Scott.

Perks of being an English teacher!! Knew it would come in useful one day!

Simon

[Alan Seymour]

Thanks Simon, no I didn't know, I have just found a copy of the poem at www.blackmask.com - complete online works. It's a very long poem written in 1809/10 with six canto's and 119 pages.

"The scene of the Poem is laid chiefly in the vicinity of Loch Katrine, in the Western Highlands of Perthshire. The time of Action includes Six Days, and the transactions of each Day occupy a Canto. The narrative of the poem concerns the struggle between King James V and the powerful clan Douglas".

I found the verse that the inscription was taken from to inscribed on John's original 'Wooden Grave Marker' and for anyone interested I've copied the complete verse below:-

'The Lady of the Lake' by Sir Walter Scott

CANTO FIRST. The Chase.

Verse XXXI.

Song,

'Soldier, rest! they warfare o'ver.

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking;

Dream of battled fields no more,

Days of danger, nights of waking.

In our isle's enchanted hall,

Hands unseen thy couch are strewing,

Fairy strains of music fall,

Ever sense in slumber dewing.

Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'ver,

Dream of fighting fields no more;

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,

Morn of toil, nor night of waking.

'No rude sound shall reach shine ear,

Armour’s clang or war-steed champing

Trump nor pibroch summon here

Mustering clan or squadron tramping.

Yet the Lark's shrill fife may come

At the daybreak from the fallow,

And the bitten sound his drum

Booming from the sedgy shallow.

Ruder sounds shall none be near,

Guards nor warders challenge here,

Here's no war-steed's neigh and champing,

Shouting clans or squadron stamping.'

******************

When John's 'Wooden Grave Marker' was replaced by a headstone, I wonder if the original marker was returned to his parents and if so does it still survive - prehaps in a Church in Lisburn?

Alan