In Flanders Fields

PHOTO BY BRIAN WAUGH...

My friend, Brian Waugh, who lives in Yorkshire, England has given me permission to use his wonderful photo of this poppy as today I wanted to post Col. Lt. John McCrae's memorable poem "In Flanders Fields" and this photo just went so well with the poem. See more of Brian's wonderful photos here.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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 fields

"In Flanders Fields" was first published in England's "Punch" magazine in December, 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries.

The poem was written by a Canadian - John McCrae, a doctor and teacher, who served in both the South African War and the First World War.

From Lt. Col. John McCrae

Col. McCrae was born here in Guelph and his childhood home is a wonderful place to visiit. I try to go there about once or month or so.

Colonel John McCrae's Birthplace

Colonel John McCrae

Colonel John McCrae was born in Guelph along Water Street and his childhood home is now a quaint museum of anything to do with this wonderful medical doctor and Colonel in the Armed Forces.

It was this fine man who wrote the poem, "In Flanders Fields".

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

(1872-1918) Canadian Army

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 fields.

See a photo of his house that I posted here.

McCrae House, a c.1850 stone cottage located along the banks of the Speed River, is the birthplace of Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918). McCrae was a doctor, solider and author of the WWI poem "In Flanders Fields", which he wrote after burying a young friend, Alexis Helmer, who was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres.

The poem was first published in Punch magazine in December 1915 and the poppy quickly became the symbol of remembrance throughout the Commonwealth. The museum features exhibitions on the life of McCrae, two period rooms reflecting the 1870s when the McCrae family occupied the house, a programming space, and heritage gardens.

McCrae House has two designations through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada: one for John McCrae as a person of national significance and one for the house as a place of national significance. A number of special events, afternoon teas, and programs take place throughout the year. In 1983, Guelph Museums was established consisting of McCrae House and Guelph Civic Museum.

(From the Guelph Civic Museum)

Read more of Colonel John McCrae

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In Flanders Fields the Poppies Blow

Do you know where the author of this famous poem was born?

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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 fields.

This is the birthplace of this famous Canadian--right here in Guelph in this lowly little cottage which is now a lovely museum