“TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD”
(On seeing Thornton Memorial)
By Joe S Johnstone 23.6.1928
This poem was written after Wendy Slattery’s Grandfather saw the memorial statue to the dead of the 1st World War. It was published in the Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 5th April 1929. As I understand, from my Grandpa, it is the only Memorial with the soldier bareheaded (see Note below).
Head bowed in reverence,
Hands closed in prayer,
Symbol of sacrifice
Standing there.
Memories reviving
Of loved ones we lost,
The price of our Freedom
Their lives have cost.
Tended so lovingly,
Thus can we show
Honour to sacrifice
That all may know.
True to our trust, shall be
When falls the night;
Illumined the holy spot
With radiant light.
Through all the seasons
There on the ground,
Sacred and beautiful
Flowers abound.
Deeper, more sacred,
Within each true heart
Will blossom the memory
That death cannot part.
Come then, bring blossoms
To this holy shrine,
Each tribute a symbol
Of your love and mine.
Heads bowed in reverence
Minds filled with prayer
England remembers you
Standing there.