PlanetWriters.com - Sonnet for Lawrence Calvert VC MM

This is my tribute to Lawrence Calvert VC MM (16 February 1892 - 6 July 1964) who was awarded the VC for his bravery at the Battle of Havrincourt on 12 September 1918. This is his citation:

War Office, 15th November, 1918.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Noncommissioned Officers and Men:

No. 240194 Sgt. Laurence Calvert, M.M.. K.O.Y.L.I. (Conisbro').

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack when the success of the operation was rendered doubtful owing, to severe enfilade machine-gun fire. Alone and single-handed Sjt. Calvert, rushing forward against the machine-gun team, bayoneted three and shot four.

His valour and determination in capturing single-handed two machine guns and killing the crews thereof enabled the ultimate objective to be won. His personal gallantry inspired all ranks.

I attempted to write a sonnet in the style of our most famous war-poet, Wilfred Owen. In the sonnet, I imagined Mr Calvert speaking of his experience to his friends after the war in the peace and beauty of the castle grounds.

SONNET FOR LAWRENCE CALVERT VC MM

We’d found an old Boche dug-out, and he knew,
And gave us hell…
WILFRED OWN

We’d found a Boche machine-gun, and he knew,
And gave us hell with enfilading fire.
We cowered in shell-holes while the bullets flew,
And slush, waist high, kept rising hour by hour.

Rain guttered down in waterfalls of slime,
Mocking our mission’s failure with mud.
Then something moved me – silly or sublime,
I do not know – some madness in the blood:

I charged the Germans, heedless of their fire,
Emptying my rifle, fixing bayonet,
While stumbling dangerously on the barbed wire,
Then hand-to-hand I fought in a cold sweat.

Then silence! – I heard only Nature’s sounds,
Just like today in Conisbrough Castle grounds.

© Arthur, 2011. All rights reserved.

Sonnet for Lawrence Calvert VC MM

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