This is a poetry submission titled “Mametz Wood Remembered” from our guest writer, Arthur Cole. Welsh Histories always welcomes poems with a Welsh historical theme, so if you believe you have a poem that fits the bill, please send it to us. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

The following poem is dedicated to the brave men of the 38th Welsh, who fought at the disastrous battle of Mametz wood during the First World War. May they forever rest in peace.

MAMETZ WOOD REMEMBERED

That futile war, never forgotten.

the Somme a hundred years on.

Battle lines drawn, no man’s land,

brave men preparing to die.

Birdsong fell silent, that fateful day,

slaughter, it surely did follow.

Machine guns nesting, deep in the wood,

barbed wire protecting their enemy.

The 38th Welsh led that fatal charge,

their orders to take Mametz wood.

Chaos abounded, their lives sacrificed,

like lemmings, to their holy maker.

The mortars rained down,

a shell hole, one’s only safe haven,

Bodies piled high, deep in the mud,

as blood flowed, a deep poppy red.

Although stripped bare, by bullet and mortar,

Mametz wood will live on forever.

A graveyard for heroes, all Welsh to a man,

their sacrifice, never forgotten.

The Welsh dragon today, faces the wood,

tearing at wire, where heroes blood flowed.

A memorial now guarding their souls,

its colour, a deep poppy red.

Guest Writer – Arthur Cole

Arthur was born in Caerau, a small Welsh mining village at the top of the Llynfi Valley, South Wales. On leaving school Arthur joined Glamorgan/ South Wales Police Force where he served as a  Detective Sergeant. Arthur began writing poetry, and crime thrillers at the late age of 66. To date he has written nearly a thousand poems, and fourteen crime novels. Arthur is married to Caroline, has two grown up children, and two grandchildren. Arthur writes poetry on all subjects, but in particular Welsh History, Coal mining, and the Fist World War.

You can view Arthur’s Poems and Anecdotes at the linked Facebook page. Additionally, you can purchase Arthur’s Crime Thrillers, such as ‘The Terry McGuire and ‘The Abe Quince’ Thrillers at his Amazon store.

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Guest Writer