Remembrance

So today, at war memorials across the Western world, in cities, towns and villages, we have been remembering the fallen in wars since 1914. Even this small village has a long list of fallen in the First World War, and some in the Second. Some are pictured here, along with some of the graves of Welshmen killed on the Western Front,

Usually in the UK, part of that poem beginning "You shall not grow old..." is read. My own preference is for that used widely in Canada by Canadian authour John MacRae.

In Flanders Field
In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch: be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.
by Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp officer, Dr. John MacRae [1872-1918]