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Albert and William Baxter killed in action 9th October 1916 both aged 25years as recorded in France
As I write this it is the 11th November 2001 and is the 80th anniversary of The Royal British Legion. The first poppy sold in Britian was 11th November 1921. The idea of the poppy came as it was seen growing among the graves of Flanders.
The poppy factory is in Petersham,Richmond Surrey which I remember visiting once. Also on Richmond Hill stands the Star and Garter Home for the disabled service men.
Two of Thousands
There were two brothers I did not know
who grew together
played together
went to school together
worked together
fought in a war together
and died together
on the battlefields in France.
Their graves are one of many in Calais
separated by a mile or two.
They yearned for
peace together
a family together
share sorrow together
share jokes together
to retire together.
But the uncles I never knew
died for the land we have now.
for you and me.
I feel now at this moment, that I know them.
Joy.
Albert and William were born in Richmond, Surrey, about eleven months apart. They were always together and both were postmen at Richmond, Surrey,A memorial plaque is displayed at Richmond Post Office in Surrey to this day.
They joined up in the same Regiment, they were both Corporals and though were in different blatoons they both died on the same day with in hours of each other. Both are in Calais but in different cemetarys.
The Following poem is Anon, and was found on a soldier killed in Northern Island.Subsequently thirty thousand copies were requested by people all over the world.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
( It has recently been brought to my notice that the above poem is attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye written in 1932. 1904-2004)
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Not Forgotten
Far beyond the eye can see
Lay thousands who died for you and me
In fields that became their graves
And under eternal darken waves
We remember them on this day
Their souls to God we endless pray.
The poppies fall one by one
In memory of a dad or beloved son
Each petal floats and then falls
For the one’s named upon the walls
Imbedded in our hearts for ever more
The men who went to fight a war.
Joyce Gale 2008.
****************************8The following is a poem by Rupert Brooke 1887-1915
The Soldier
If I should die, think only this of me;
That there's some corner of a foreign field
that is for ever England. There shall be
in that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once her flowers to love,her ways to roam,
A body of England's breathing English air,
washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mine, no less
gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given,
Her sights and sound; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends and gentleness,
In hearts a peace, under an English heaven.
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