Words of War

I have always been interested in the poems and diaries that have been written about or during war, they evoke some of the most incredible feelings and thoughts. It is amazing that out of the depths of such atrocious conditions can come such a things of beauty, such works of art. From the darkest moments of Trench warfare, writers such as Owen and Sassoon told the stories of the front in ways only they could. These words have become the symbols of war, the stories behind the killing machines, the truth of life in a water filled hole month after month. They are only a few. With each mission over Germany, each penetration into the jungles of the far east, men would record their thoughts, feelings and hopes. Diaries are now coming to light as these veterans pass away, old shoe boxes are opened and once lost letters are read. The words of these once brave young men and women are becoming the history books of those dreadful times.

There are a number of superbly written works, far too many to show here, or even start to give credit to, but I thought I would begin with some of the more well-known, finding out a little bit about the person behind the words and adding more as I find them.

I hope you enjoy them too.

Laurence Binyon (10/8/1869 – 10/3/1943) – For the Fallen

Rupert Chawner Brooke (3/8/1887 – 23/4/1915) – The Soldier

Wilfred Owen (18/3/1893 – 4/11/1918) – Anthem for Doomed Youth

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) – An Irish Airman Foresees His Death (as featured in The Memphis Belle)

Randall Jarrell – (1914 – 1965)  – The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner.