Look not beyond the greys of poses and frozen moments

nor beyond the illiterate pleas of soiled men

scribbled lines a gift of comfort

scan merely to acknowledge an existence

a time of once and then

of past and gone

delve not into sacrifice and duty

of loyalty and trust

seek not to understand belonging and cause

avoid perception of a society long diminished

stay mindful of those words and faces

serving little more than academic mode

do not reflect upon the Great War

do not dwell upon what it truly meant

for this is your right as maim and death secured

and will protect you from the abuse of our bequest.

 

 

With great gratitude to Private Edward (Ted) King, 2nd Battalion the Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, killed 20th January 1915, no known grave; and all those who gave for this country.