Such a sad memorial inscription, he must have gone off to war so full of youthful optimism and like so many others died before he had chance to really live. Was he a relative?
Lambs to the slaughter springs to mind John - so many thousands of young men on both sides, sent to war by stubborn old men full of their own importance. The first world war was so terrible. So many families affected. At least in the socond world war we were fighting for something wothwhile.
What is so important that we sacrifice our children for it? I get so angry when I see the young dead or maimed. What is worth it? Certainly not oil, a slight to one's daddy, or keeping a politician in power! Jim
I didn't want to dilute the powerful message of the stone by words of my own, but here are a few observations now. You've said most of what I thought in your comments, it was just a memorial to an unknown youth in a country graveyard, but it has some personal details which all the stones in military cemeteries omit. The boy is somebody's son. He died not gloriously in battle but in a hospital some distance from home. He was just 18. In a few more days the war would be over. The last lines sound to me like his parents trying to make sense of his senseless death.
Earlier commentors have said it all. I can only add that as the inscription on the stone is peeling away, surely there is record somewhere of this young man's full name. It should be remembered.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).
Such a sad memorial inscription, he must have gone off to war so full of youthful optimism and like so many others died before he had chance to really live. Was he a relative?
ReplyDeleteLambs to the slaughter springs to mind John - so many thousands of young men on both sides, sent to war by stubborn old men full of their own importance. The first world war was so terrible. So many families affected. At least in the socond world war we were fighting for something wothwhile.
ReplyDeleteA tombstone telling the tale of one soldier. The power telling the tale of hundreds of thousands.
ReplyDeleteA very apt posting John. May we never forget the incredible sacrifice made by so many.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. So much said in just a few words. I notice that the tombstone has some physical issues. I hope that gets repaired so the message isn't lost.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so important that we sacrifice our children for it? I get so angry when I see the young dead or maimed. What is worth it? Certainly not oil, a slight to one's daddy, or keeping a politician in power! Jim
ReplyDeleteJohn, this stone says it all. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to dilute the powerful message of the stone by words of my own, but here are a few observations now. You've said most of what I thought in your comments, it was just a memorial to an unknown youth in a country graveyard, but it has some personal details which all the stones in military cemeteries omit. The boy is somebody's son. He died not gloriously in battle but in a hospital some distance from home. He was just 18. In a few more days the war would be over. The last lines sound to me like his parents trying to make sense of his senseless death.
ReplyDeleteEarlier commentors have said it all. I can only add that as the inscription on the stone is peeling away, surely there is record somewhere of this young man's full name. It should be remembered.
ReplyDelete