Biography of Wilfred Owen
I wrote this biography of Wilfred Owen for a poster display that accompanied 'The Pity of War' event.
Wilfred Owen is widely regarded as the greatest of the war poets. He was born in 1893, the first child of Tom and Margaret Owen. He was educated at Birkenhead Institute and then at Shrewsbury Technical College, but his results were not good enough to continue on to University. When war broke out he was teaching English in France.
He returned to England in September 1915 and enlisted in the Artists' Rifles regiment, but it was not until he received a commission with the Manchester Regiment and joined them in France in January 1917 that he saw active service. He had some remarkable escapes from shells and bullets but then was blown into the air when a large shell landed close to him.
He was invalided home and on 26th June 1917 was transferred to Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh to be treated for shell shock. It was here that he wrote some of his most memorable poems, after meeting the established older poet Seigfreid Sassoon who encouraged him to write about his war experiences.
After a period of convalescence, he reported back to his Regiment in France. On 4th November 1918, the Battalion prepared for an attack across the Oise-Sambre Canal in northern France. Owen, it was said, was last seen trying to cross the canal on a raft under very heavy gunfire.
A week later, on 11th November 1918, hostilities ended on the Western Front. That same day Wilfred Owen's parents were informed by telegram that their 25 year old son was dead.
He returned to England in September 1915 and enlisted in the Artists' Rifles regiment, but it was not until he received a commission with the Manchester Regiment and joined them in France in January 1917 that he saw active service. He had some remarkable escapes from shells and bullets but then was blown into the air when a large shell landed close to him.
He was invalided home and on 26th June 1917 was transferred to Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh to be treated for shell shock. It was here that he wrote some of his most memorable poems, after meeting the established older poet Seigfreid Sassoon who encouraged him to write about his war experiences.
After a period of convalescence, he reported back to his Regiment in France. On 4th November 1918, the Battalion prepared for an attack across the Oise-Sambre Canal in northern France. Owen, it was said, was last seen trying to cross the canal on a raft under very heavy gunfire.
A week later, on 11th November 1918, hostilities ended on the Western Front. That same day Wilfred Owen's parents were informed by telegram that their 25 year old son was dead.
Anthem for Doomed Youth
by Wilfred Owen
Written in Craiglockart Hospital, between September and October 1917
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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 good-byes. 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. |
If you only ever read one war poem, may I suggest you make it this.
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