In Flanders Fields
In Flanders FieldsOn this, the eleventh day of November, 2000, I dedicate this page to the memory of my great-uncle,
Michael Hallissey Private 9269 of the First Battalion, Leinster Regiment. He died on Sunday, 7 February 1915 at the age of 21 during the defence of the Ypres Salient. He has no grave. His remains were never recovered. His name is inscribed on panel 44 of the Menin Gate Memorial, which can be found on the eastern side of the town of Ypres (Ieper) on the road to Menin and Courtrai.
On the day Michael died my father, Edward, who was not yet eight years old, was in bed asleep in Cork City, Ireland. He woke up and saw Michael, in uniform, standing at the foot of his bed and smiling down at him. My father knew then that his uncle was dead.
The flowers left thick at nightfall in the wood Edward Thomas [ Avons of the Heart ] [ Email ] [ The poetry is in the pity Coming Soon] [ Links ]
Except where indicated, all material and graphics are © Tricia Donovan, 2000. All rights reserved.
The poppy graphics were made by me using the cover photo from The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry, edited by Jon Silkin (2nd Edition). The photograph is by Tony Evans
Picture courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
In Memoriam (Easter 1915)
This Eastertide call into mind the men,
Now far from home, who, with their sweethearts, should
Have gathered them and will do never again.
born 1878; killed in action at Arras on 9 April 1917
