Killed in Action
“Killed in Action” ; Killed in Action”,
War-times brief official phrase,
How we weary, wait and languish
For the quiet of bygone days,
Ere the tramp of belted kinsmen,
And the troopship’s rising steam,
Proclaimed our country’s soul at war,
And disturbed her peaceful dream.
“Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
“Died of wounds”, or “Drowned at sea,”
Piling up the Roll of Honour
And the roll of tragedy.
Victims they to German “kultur”
Martyrs to the righteous cause,
Faught like heroes brave and dauntless,
Died for Freedom’s sacred laws.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
Yonder lies the widow’s son,
Who had graced his father’s footsteps
Ere the carnage had begun;
Blend his name with death and glory,
Since he nobly did his part,
But his heirloom to his mother
Is a life-long bleeding heart.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
Yes alas! But who was he?
Ask the lady, sad and weeping,
With an infant on her knee,
Cherished hopes and aspirations
Lie entombed within his lair,
And the shades of cruel Bereavement
Hover o’er his vacant chair.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
One more hero gone to rest,
And his heart has ceased a-beating
For the maid he loved the best.
Now, never shall her bridal morn,
With Gladness smile upon her,
Nor festive board for them be spread
Their plighted love to honour
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”
Lo there falls a darling boy,
Offspring of devoted parents,
And the idol of their joy.
Mother’s home-fire brightly burning.
Now for him shall glow in vain;
Lo he lies mid wreck and ruin,
One among the many slain.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
He who came from foreign strand
Gave his youthful life a ransom,
For the dear old Motherland.
Golden prairie grain no longer
To his sickle blade shall yield,
Death, the Lord’s appointed reaper,
Hath his fate and fortune sealed.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
Still our sons of Freedom fall,
Day and daily, night and nightly,,
Fewer hear the muster call.
Though afar “the silver lining”
Tints the dark foreboding sky,
They must wage the gory battle
While the clouds go rolling by.
Killed in Action” : Killed in Action”,
Bravely “facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of the fathers
And the glory of the gods”,
For the Honour of our Empire,
And Dominions o’er the sea,
They will fight till foes are vanquished
And the World of tyrants free.
Ure
(Publ. 14 Sept. 1918)
Following the war, Leith like many other communities around the world then and now, were left torn and grieving. The people of Leith wanted to create a memorial of the war that would benefit the whole community. Below we share a letter written by then Provost appealing for contributions to fund this memorial.
Leith War Memorial
APPEAL BY THE PROVOST
Dear Sir or Madame
The Burgh of Leith took an honourable place in the universal sacrifices which were demanded by the Great War.
A very high percentage of the male population of military age went out to do service on land or sea or air, and over 2000 of our fellow-townsmen
will never return to the homes they so heroically defended, as all that is mortal of them rests in distant graves or on the dark floor of the ocean.
While it is eminently fitting that family memorials should commemorate the love with which fathers and sons were regarded by devoted relatives,
and while Churches on whose Rolls of Honour their names find a place, should seek to honour those who were connected with their fellowship, it
is surely fitting that our townsmen should generally in some outstanding way, demonstrate to the entire community their grateful appreciation of
the fact that so many from among them risked everything for so noble a cause, and at the same time do something to perpetuate the memory of the Great War itself.
ln response to an invitation issued by me, a meeting was held in the Council Chambers, and a thoroughly representative Committee was appointed
to consider various suggestions as to the form which such a memorial should take. Several causes have contributed to make this enquiry a long and difficult one, but I am now in a position to outline a plan which has met with general acceptance and approval.
The scheme is, to provide fuller and more appropriate accommodation at Leith Hospital for Sick Children. It is hoped that the donations which may be received will be sufficient to add a Wing to the Hospital, as it is realised that the desired accommodation can best be provided by this means.
It is estimated that to erect, equip, and endow a suitable wing a sum of £50,000 will be required. This is a large sum, but as I have been promised substantial support by some friends on whom I have called amounting in the aggregate to over £22,000 I am confident that the full amount will be subscribed. There are many more friends whom l should like to have seen personally, but the limited time at my disposal prevents me doing so, and I sincerely tust the cause I am pleading for will not suffer on that account.
During the war period Leith rendered magnificent national service. To each call for assistance in the national interest her citizens made a ready and full response.
Now I appeal on behalf of a local scheme, and knowing something of the strength of the local patriotism of the community, I am convinced that this appeal will be generously, quickly. and adequately responded to.
It is the desire of the Committee, for whom I act, to erect a Memorial worthy of the outstanding services which have been rendered and of the supreme sacrifices which have been offered by all by all classes of the community.
Love. fond recollections, endless gratitude, are the moving springs of a. worthy Memorial.
lt is felt that a scheme providing much needed facilities for the treatment of suffering children in our midst, at a cost of just such a generous contribution as each member of a community of 85,000 people of all ages can afford, will prove a fitting tribute of gratitude for the victory won - a practical expression of sympathy with suffering - and a legacy of benevolancethat will confer benefit on future generations.
I beg of you to give this Memorial Scheme your earnest consideration and favour me with a liberal donation at your early convenience.
Every contribution large and small will be gratefully received and duly acknowledged.
Yours faithfully,
JNO A. Lyndsay, Provost
