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| He is buried with my paternal grandparents in Norton, Yorkshire |
He heard the call and went...
He should have been teaching art
In some dull provincial school,
Doling out praise with the paint,
Watching copper beeches
Outside
Turn golden
Through the years.
He should have been.
But he was in the sky
With an eagle on his chest
Wrestling with
A stubborn radio,
In the belly of a Blenheim
Before it took the plunge
Through night clouds
Over Essex,
Fatally hurtling into
An old copper beech tree.
When he
Was only twenty three
At Ramsey Tyrells Farm.
He heard the call and went...
Written in memory of
R.A.F. Sergeant A.J. Theasby (!917-1940) R.I.P.
R.A.F. Sergeant A.J. Theasby (!917-1940) R.I.P.
Not that I would ever forget Armistice Day/Remembrance Day...I've never not honoured the fallen and those who have served and still do serve by a minute's silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month...but the 11th day of November is also my birthday...
ReplyDeleteA day late but nevertheless - Happy Birthday Lee!
DeleteThank you, Mr. Pudding. :)
DeleteTwenty-three is so very young. I'm not sure why but I've had an affinity for most of my life for stories both real and fiction from the world wars, so I tend to think about the lost lives many times during each year. Remembrance Day magnifies it all, doesn't it? I'm very thankful for those who "heard the call and went" to keep us safe and free.
ReplyDeleteWithout being maudlin about it, every day should be a day of remembrance. Lest we forget...
DeleteWell said for uncle Jack. We have many uncle Jacks who met horrible ends to maintain our freedom.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Red. My Uncle Jack was just an example.
DeleteThat's a very moving poem in memory of your Uncle Jack.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sue.
DeleteTo stand up and meet the challenge, knowing your life is on the line is the most heroic act. Not athletes or politicians or singers, just ordinary people doing what they have to do.
ReplyDelete"Just ordinary people" - the greatest heroes of all.
DeleteThat is a very fine and moving memorial for your Uncle Jack. We all who read this today have kept him in our hearts for the little eternity it takes to honor and miss someone we never knew.
ReplyDeleteYour emotional intelligence is noteworthy Vivian.
DeleteVery moving tribute to your Uncle Jack. Brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased it touched you Joyve. I thought carefully about every word.
DeleteWe all need to remember our uncle jacks
ReplyDeleteThere are millions of Uncle Jacks.
DeleteA fine tribute to your Uncle Jack YP. Long may all brave souls be remembered.
ReplyDeleteAnna
Thanks Anna. Of course, he was just one of the countless ordinary people who gave their lives.
DeleteLosses like that reverberate through a family for a long time.
ReplyDeleteCountless and secret hymns of loss.
Delete