Then & Now: A foreign field
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1915: A valediction to Rupert Brooke, written by the First Lord of the Admiralty, is published in the 'Times':
'Rupert Brooke is dead. A telegram from the Admiralty at Lemnos tells us that this life has closed at the moment when it seemed to have reached its springtime. A voice had become audible, a note had been struck, more true, more thrilling, more able to do justice to the nobility of our youth in arms engaged in this present war, than any other. The voice has been swiftly stilled. Only the echoes and the memory remain; but they will linger.
During the last few months of his life, the poet- soldier told with all the simple force of genius the sorrow of youth about to die. He expected to die; he was willing to die for the dear England whose beauty and majesty he knew; and he advanced towards the brink in perfect serenity.
The thoughts to which he gave expression in the very few incomparable war sonnets which he has left behind will be shared by many thousands of young men . . . They are a whole history and revelation of Rupert Brooke himself. Joyous, fearless, versatile, deeply instructed, he was all that one would wish England's noblest sons to be in days when no sacrifice but the most precious is acceptable, and the most precious is that which is most freely proffered.'
1993: A naval base is being built by the Greek government on the site of Rupert Brooke's grave, on the Aegean island of Skyros. This 'corner of a foreign field' is likely to be surrounded by a series of concrete bunkers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments