The Weeping Angel

 

She passed this way and tended to our pain,

stayed by our beds and whispered in our ears,

administered our wounds and eased our fears -

telling us that we would be home again.

Once, in her hands, I saw pendant and chain,

I will remember that for many years,

an angel weeping solitary tears

that made me think of the oncoming rain.

She sent it to her sister days before

the hospital was shelled and her fate sealed.

She was gentle, but never weak or frail,

a young life ended by this pointless War.

Remember Nellie Spindler from Wakefield -

the only woman killed at Passchendaele

 

 

 

 

Nellie Spindler (10^th August 1891 – 21st August 1917)

Nellie was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery with full military honours the following day. The Last Post was sounded and it is believed that over one hundred officers, four generals and the Surgeon-General attended the funeral. She is the only woman amongst over 10,000 men to be buried at the cemetery.