ww1

Ode to the Fallen.

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As we approach Remembrance day (and Veteran’s day in America), Aviation Trails will be publishing a mix of poetry and aviation material in remembrance of those brave and courageous young men and women, who, from all nationalities, gave the ultimate sacrifice in war.

The numbers are staggering; during World War 1, there were some 37 million* deaths, (of which around 7 million were civilian). Thankfully, because the war was quite stationary, it did not create as many of the civilian casualties that were found in the Second World War. The higher number here being primarily military and serving personal. Defined as the ‘War to end all Wars’, it brought a devastating blow to societies across the European countries and their allies, as men flocked to the front and the mass slaughter that prevailed.

World War 2 on the other hand, due to the much faster, greater technological advancement that war brings, saw a much higher casuality rate. Over 60 million people died which amounted to approximately 2.5% of the world’s population*1. This is currently about the size of Nigeria, the world’s seventh largest country*2. The war was so widespread and devastating, that the actual number of casualties will never be known. A new type of war, it spread death and destruction to a much wider audience.

Subsequent wars, have also taken their toll, both in military and civilian terms. Continuing conflicts are, and will account for further deaths, and it is a sad reflection of the world we live in today.

So on this special weekend, during the 100th anniversary of the First World War, we remember those who have given so much so that the rest of us can live peacefully.

Memorials visited during the making of ‘Aviation Trails‘ can be seen here.

Ypres 007

Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium

 

Sources:

Whilst not official, Wikipedia gives some detailed accounts of countries and their casualties.

* Wikipedia, World War 1 Casualties;  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties

*1 Wikipedia, World War 2 casualties; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

*2 Wikipedia, list of countries by population; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population

For the Fallen – Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

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To all those who went before, Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem is widely used in remembrance services across the world. It was published 100 years ago today. http://wp.me/P4xjD9-8u

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death August and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

(Published in The Times newspaper, 21st September 1914).

DSC_0169

For the Fallen – Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

‘For the Fallen’ – Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

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On the anniversary of the Start of World War One, we remember those who gave their all.  In remembrance, we use a verse from the Poem ‘For the Fallen’ written by Laurence Binyon in 1914.

A poem of 7 stanzas, it was first published in September of that year. This is the poem in its entirety.

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death August and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

(Published in The Times newspaper on 21st September 1914).

DSC_0169

For the Fallen – Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)