the english magazine - St John's

the war poets had to endure and to obtain a perspective we could not get though
sitting in a classroom. This was achieved by visiting the massed cemeteries of the
Allied forces, but also visiting the similarly cramped German cemeteries. We were able
to detect an eeriness in the dark grey tombed cemeteries which was unlike the cleared
space and bright tomb stones found in the Allied cemeteries. All were well maintained
and respected, but in each, we were able to find a new presence, equally as striking and
equally as profound – a recurring shock that never seemed to strike for the last time. The
sheer number of gravestones or memorials with names after names of lost or dead men
was breathtaking and reminded us of the ultimate sacrifice which each performed. It was
a hugely humbling experience and walking among the dead made us wonder not only
why or how did this happen, but was it worth it? Are we, several generations on, worth
the loss of those men?
We will remember them.
22 Issue 1 January 2012
A level Battlefields Trip