Shiplake Remembers

On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the entire Shiplake College community of pupils and staff gathered outside Skipwith House and fell silent for two minutes to remember those who have bravely fallen in war. The last post, played from the Skipwith roof by Director of Music Paul Jones, always brings a tear to the eye and this year was no different. The silence was served impeccably as we all took a moment to reflect on the past.

Following a recent trip to the World War I battlefields, many Year 9 pupils composed poignant remembrance poems, which have been read out in recent assemblies. The boys tackled this difficult topic with maturity and sensitivity, whilst still portraying the violence and sadness of the tragedies.

A selection of the powerful  poems can be viewed below:

Just hold your breath – Ben Atkin

When I see a young man’s face with blood  all over him,

It makes me wonder what type of world we are really living in

So many graves will be dug as we go further

Because of these tragic horrific murders

The loud rattle of machine guns is all you can hear at night

One by one friends die right in front of your sight

Most of the soldiers came out not even wanting to fight

No birds flew over they were so scared so they held their flight

Don’t be scared we will win that’s what they said to me

But that doesn’t matter when you’ve seen all the bodies

Going into no man;s land is just inevitable death

So close your eyes and go over the trench and hold your breath

There I was – Jamie Gibbs

THERE I WAS, DRUNK WITH FATIGUE,

BLISTERS EVERYWHERE WITH NO GUN ROOM TO SPARE.

A BULLIT AT SPEED, HAS NO INTEGRITY TO SUCCEED.

THERE I WAS STANDING WITHOUT A BIRD IN SIGHT,

BUT ALL ARTILLERY SHELLS HAVING A FLIGHT.

THERE I WAS, PUT TO THE GROUND,

BUT ALL I COULD HEAR WAS NO SOUND.

I am a Solidier – William Brunning

I AM A SOLDIER, FIGHTING FOR MY COUNTRY

I’M TERRIFIED, TO PUT IT BLUNTLY.

I SOON LEARNED AND ACCEPTED MY FATE;

I WAS GOING TO DIE AND BE LEFT IN A CRATE

SO PLEASE DO ONE THING FOR ME,

TO MAKE THIS EASIER FOR MY FAMILY.

PUT MY MEDALS ON MY CHEST

AND TELL THEM ALL I DID MY BEST

TELL THEM ALL NOT TO CRY,

FOR I AM A SOLDIER AND BORN TO DIE.

Was It Worth It? – Duncan Eglinton

I LOOK UPON THE FIELD OF THE SOMME,

AND THE SCARS OF MANY A WRATHFUL BOMB.

I STOP AND TAKE A BRREATH,

STRUCK BY THE SCALE OF DEATH.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

YOUNG MEN, EAGER TO ENLIST,

OBLIVIOUS TO HOW MUCH THEY WOULD BE MISSED.

THEY WERE CUT DOWN, NO MATTER HOW BRAVE,

ALL THEY ARE NOW IS A NAME ON A GRAVE.

WAS IT WORTH IT?