Lines of Remembrance: A Short Series of Verse, for Those Lost in the Great War

By Jack D Harrison

Lines of Remembrance was published especially for 2018.

It is perhaps the most significant year to us ever, and rightly so, because it marks the end of five years of centenary events based around the Great War. Siegfried Sassoon’s poem “Aftermath” (published during the 1920s), asks “Have you forgotten yet?” This book helps answer that question (at least from the author’s perspective). It is hoped that we will never forget the sacrifices and hardships of everyone involved during the years 1914–18 and for those left behind at home.

Lines of Remembrance partly serves as a second volume to Jack’s first book (of verse) and is also well suited to fit the sombre and, for many, the bleak season of autumn, with thoughts of the end of long summer days, and the cold, dark winter nights ahead. What better book, then, to curl up with during those long, dark nights? Engendering thoughts of those lost before their time, during 1914–18 and for all wars and conflicts. Thoughts also of ghosts and memories of those no longer alive but still with us, in spirit. But there are some reminders of happy times, of summer and, for some, better times. Let us also remember that for many people today, the approach of autumn and winter brings feelings of dread and (often) loneliness.

It is not a collection of ghost stories, though they’re included, to help remember the dead (friends, loved ones, and others). Nor is it a book about the Great War, though the author hopes we will never forget, keeping faith with them, to ensure they rest.

Lines of Remembrance is meant as the author’s intention to never forget and to keep that faith. Only you, the reader, can determine whether that intention succeeds.

With complements,
Jack D. Harrison
Poet/author

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Oct 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546298946

Jack D Harrison

Jack D. Harrison became a Poet/Author, as part of the process of re-inventing himself. He was a Railway Signalman until back injuries forced him to retire early during 1988. He has always loved writing and composing since boyhood, and his work includes lyrics, poetry and short stories. Apart from previously published poems and articles, his first book [of Verse] was self-published only in November-2017. Rhyming Lines The Poems of Jack D. Harrison, provides some idea of the range and variety of Jacks work, Including works about his home town and port of Fleetwood, along with the former deep-sea fishing fleet and local history, to poems which read like stories, including Poppies in a Field, Remember October, The Boy and The Spider and One Christmas In Fleetwood. www.rhyminglines.com But his second book Memoirs of a Signalman, is Autobiographical and deals with one of his happiest periods; his time on the Railway. So, climb aboard for this new journey, calling at various points along the way. A journey of Jacks time as a Railwayman and the last heydays of the Port of Fleetwood and ultimately, Electrification, and the end of traditional Signalling on the Blackpool and Fleetwood lines.

Book preview

© 2018 Jack D. Harrison. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/22/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-9895-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-9894-6 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Table of Contents

1 DEDICATIONS

2 AN ACORN’S STORY

LINES OF REMEMBRANCE :

A SHORT SERIES OF VERSE,

FOR THOSE LOST IN THE GREAT WAR

3 SHADOWS OF THE FALLEN

4 AMBULANCE TRAIN SIXTEEN

5 THE RAF CENTENARY

6 SNOWY PATHS

7 POPPIES FOR LOST YOUTH

8 IS THIS A WAY TO SPEND CHRISTMAS DAY?

9 UNARMED FIGHTERS

REMEMBRANCE OF FAMILY,

FRIENDS, AND OTHERS;

NOW ONLY WITH US IN SPIRIT

10 WE WANT TO COME HOME

11 FORMER OCCUPANTS - THE DEAD

12 REQUIEM FOR THE HONEY BEE

13 NIGHT OF THE SIGNALMAN

14 THE RAILWAY DEAD

15 SILENT WATCHERS

16 THE END OF AN ERA

A SECTION OF REMEMBRANCE,

FOR BETTER TIMES PAST;

AND MORE GENERAL POETRY

17 A VISION OF FLEETWOOD

18 BLUEBELLS

19 CASTLES ON THE BEACH

20 A FLEETWOOD SUNSET

21 DIESEL DRAGONS

22 THE FLASHBACKS

23 FLEETWOOD FOLK HURRAH

24 I COUNT THE HOURS

25 MESSAGE FROM HERCULANEUM

26 OUR WOLVES IN SUMMER

27 PERFECT SYMETRY

28 SIGHTLESS FIGURES

29 SLEEPY SHEPHERD

30 SPEARS OVER THE WYRE

31 BLUEBELLS

32 THE KESTREL

33 I KNEW THEM

34 THE SEA SHALL COME AGAIN

35 THE SHORT CUT

36 THE VIEW ACROSS THE RIVER

37 THE TAUNT OF THE DRUNK DRIVERS

38 WE ARE THE WRITERS

39 THE OLD BABUSHKA

40 AN OLD LITERARY FRIEND

41 AUTUMN

42 THE WAY TO PLANET X

43 LAST WORDS

44 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

45 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated first, to Mum and Dad. Sorry you’re not here in person to see this;

But I know you are in Spirit.

It is also dedicated to the millions, lost during the Great War 1914-18; directly, or indirectly.

Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Merchant Service, Stretcher Bearers and Orderlies, Nurses, and of course, so many others. And those for whom, the war would never end.

Lucky to return to Blighty – then straight into Asylums; lost, within their nightmares.

And especially- to those of the 250,000 boys who raised their age to get to the Western Front.

The youngest of these was just 12