sanctuarywood Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February (edited) This poem was inscribed in the autograph book of an Australian nurse by a lieutenant with the 6 Lincolns, and is dated 20 April 1917. I'm not sure whether it's an original poem – most inscriptions in autograph books normally aren't, in my experience – and I was wondering whether anyone had come across this work, or something resembling it. I've tried searching various lines on Google without success. Dead? This moment the beating of the heart The counting of the minutes to the time When with a scramble & a stumble You clear the parapet – advance in line This moment the barrage lifts a hundred The head feels numb, the body alien The sight is blurred – all is a nightmare This moment – The next with crumpled hands & puckered mouth With eyes that flinch from softest light of day Just vaguely wondering & wondering – A Mother’s joy, a Father’s firstborn son. So start again – & is there in your Soul Remembrance of that thunderclap Which threw your mangled body on the wire? Edited 24 February by sanctuarywood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 24 February Admin Share Posted 24 February Tried a few phrases in FMP newspaper searches and nothing jumping out. Can you share the officer's name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanctuarywood Posted 24 February Author Share Posted 24 February 34 minutes ago, DavidOwen said: Tried a few phrases in FMP newspaper searches and nothing jumping out. Can you share the officer's name? Hi, David! Thank you for taking a look. I've attached a copy of the signature from the autograph book, but I haven't been able to match it to anyone. (I originally thought the last name was Sharpe, but now I think it might be Phelps.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KizmeRD Posted 24 February Share Posted 24 February Lieut. A.E. Phelps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 24 February Admin Share Posted 24 February I wonder if this may be the same man? (Image courtesy Cheffins) So far no MIC or service record for A E Phelps in a Lincolnshire unit found. Then found this, so an Oxford man (courtesy FMP) Note the Indian Army connection. A pension ledger exists on Fold 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 24 February Admin Share Posted 24 February Here is a mention of his transfer to the Indian Army - Lincolnshire Echo 29 November 1917 - courtesy FMP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanctuarywood Posted 25 February Author Share Posted 25 February Thank you all! It doesn't seem inconceivable that this was his original poetry, but it looks like that element will remain a mystery for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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