The Bugle Call to Action

On the library desk that RSM would work from in the evenings, I interpret several books. Two of them are by John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir, who was great friends of the McLaughlin Family, growing to know them very well during his time as Canada's Governor General. The other is RSM's daily diary, a gift from the British Empire Service League.  These little gems within our extensive collection will often go unobserved in a room as marvellous as the library, when one is trying to take in everything the space has to offer when visiting.

In recent months, I have written about Oliver Hezzelwood and his poems. Since locating the book of poems and learning more about Oliver, I have added the volume to the contents of the desk. While browsing through the book of poems I found the following entitled The Bugle Call to Action, a fitting tribute for the ceremonies and remembrances for the coming days ahead.

Prior to the poem, Oliver comments on the statue which inspired him, along with his service, to write this poem. He is very moved by the full-sized statue of a war horse,
"The Last Call" by CB Birch, which he had seen exhibited at the Crystal Palace, London. (lost to fire in 1936)

"Now once again the war drums roll,

Again the bugles call,

Again grim death demands its toll,

And myriad heroes fall.

 

Again the humanity is crushed

Beneath a despot's heel;

Again the voice of laughter's hushed,

The nations backward reel.

 

Again the valiant seize the sword,

The crowded seeks the night;

Again the wail or woe is heard

And childhood shrinks in fright;

 

Again in discipline we pass

Beneath the chastening rod;

Again the skies seem triple brass

When we appeal to God.

 

And now to us peals out the blast

"For country, home and God!"

And tread the road they trod."

 

 

Lest We Forget