Remembering the Fallen

104 years ago today, four years of European civil war ended. In what was then termed the ‘Great War’, or simply ‘the war’, but which we now call the ‘First World War’, nine million soldiers died in combat, with another 23 million wounded. Though civilian casualties were fewer than in the second European civil war that broke out just over twenty years later, it’s estimated that around five million civilians died as a result of the conflict.

At 11 am today, Britons will fall silent to remember those terrible events and our ancestors’ sacrifice.

Alongside respectful memory, there should also be anger.

Earlier this year, the work of Britain’s best-known war poet, Wilfred Owen – who was killed in action in northern France, exactly one week before the end of the war – was removed from the GCSE English Literature course by one of the main examination boards.

H&D readers will not be surprised to learn that this change (which also involved removing the work of Philip Larkin, arguably the greatest 20th century English poet) was made in the name of “diversity”.

Whatever else nine million Europeans died for during 1914-18, they certainly didn’t die for the dubious benefits of “diversity”.

So even if schoolchildren will no longer study Wilfred Owen, H&D readers should today read and think about his Anthem for Doomed Youth.

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
      — Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
      Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; 
      Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
      And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
      Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
      The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

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