A new anthology showcases lovingly restored black and white images from the First World War, accompanied by the poetry of renowned Great War poets. On this Remembrance Day, the anthology vividly contrasts the harrowing experiences of frontline life from 1914-1918 with the portrayal of women taking on traditionally male roles on the home front.
The collection features lyrical works from notable poets like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Jessie Pope, capturing the essence of both military and civilian existence during the catastrophic events of ‘The War to End All Wars.’ Themes of despair, death, hope, unrequited and forbidden love permeate the anthology, offering a glimpse into life under immense pressure when communication barriers often left loved ones unaware of the fate of those serving abroad.
The anthology skillfully conveys the anguish of uncertainty, as seen in Rudyard Kipling’s poignant poem ‘A Son,’ encapsulated in the lines:
“My son was killed while laughing at some jest.
I would I knew
What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests
are few.”
Edited by Fiona Waters, ‘A Corner Of A Foreign Field’ is available in hardback from Atlantic Publishing for £25.
Additionally, iconic poems like ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae, ‘The Send-Off’ by Wilfred Owen, ‘Attack’ by Siegfried Sassoon, ‘They’ by Siegfried Sassoon, ‘War Girls’ by Jessie Pope, and ‘Champs d’Honneur’ by Ernest Hemingway are featured in the anthology, providing a comprehensive reflection on the wartime experiences and emotions of soldiers and civilians alike.