Friday, October 12, 2012

12 October 1917 - Passchendaele

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie 
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Field.

Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
Canterbury Infantry Regiment
Aged 25 years

 
Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Aged 20 years

Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
Canterbury Infantry Regiment 
Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Aged 21 years

Killed in action 12 October 1917, Passchendaele 
New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Aged 30 years

Above are six of the 846 New Zealand soldiers killed on 12 October 1917 at the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele.  The 12 October 1917 is still today New Zealand's blackest day in terms of loss of life.  They all have no known graves and are remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.


No comments:

Post a Comment