to Kenneth George Bell - a poem of remembrance

Being Armistice Day, I wanted to share a poem about a member of my family, who gave his life in World War II - my Great Uncle Ken.

In 2008, I took a trip to northern Germany to find the grave of my Grandad's eldest brother - Ken, of the Welch Regiment, who was killed in action on April 10th 1945, aged 27, near to Soltau, where he is now buried in Becklingen War Cemetery. 

In honour of his memory, I wrote him a poem, which I left on his grave and which is laid out below.

To Kenneth George Bell

You had parents and brothers, a sister, no wife

On the day that you gave, for your country, your life

You gave up your future and never grew old

Never had any children – a destiny sold

The result was a future for all of your kin

But the rest of your life would never begin

You were never forgotten and always were missed

More than six decades later you do still exist,

In the thoughts and the memories of those who remain

In the tears in their eyes when they hear your name

And when bugles are playing that haunting refrain

To remind us of sacrifice made time and again 

© Annie Bell 2015

Grave inscription:

 Though absent, you are ever near
Still loved and missed and ever dear