[New post] The Somme: Remembering Capt John Green VC at Buckden

<img src="https://bpdt.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/img_3916.jpg" alt=""

I as privileged this morning to attend an exceptional commemoration this morning at Buckden when a large company gathered to honour the memory of Capt Green RAMC and all those who fell at the Somme. We must not forget not shirk the call on us to develop the character and virtues that will enable us too to be people of peace who put others before self.

For most conspicuous devotion to assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell holewhere he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time.
Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed.

The R.A.M.C.
We carry no rifle, bayonet nor bomb,
But follow behind in rear
Of the steel fringed line that surges along
With a ringing British cheer.
Through the tangled wire of the blown-in trench,
Spite of shrapnel or bursting shell,
We make for the spots – Khaki clad helpless blots-
That mark where our front rank fell.
We are the men who carry them back
The wounded, the dying and dead.
It’s “Halt!” “Dressing here”-“Come, buck up, old dear,”
You’re all for “Blighty” so be of good cheer –
Turn him gently, now bandage his head.”
The stretcher-bearers doing their bit,
Of V.C.’s not many they score,
Yet are earned every day in a quiet sort of way
By the Royal Army Medical Corps.

The bearers creep out in the dead of night,
“Oh! bring ‘em along this way,
Four in one hole! Good God, what a sight!
Keep down your heads from the glare of the light.
We’re spotted as clear as day.”
Overhead flares a star-shell pale,
Follows a crash and a roar.
The helpless are mingled with dying and dead
A splintered stretcher lies close by the head
Of one of the Medical Corps.
Just a name and a number published at home today,
“PTE. Blank, R.A.M.C. Killed in Action” (God bless him
Say we in his grave of Flanders clay).
Such is the work of the Red Cross Knights,
Of V.C.’s not many they score,
Yet are earned every day in a quiet sort of way
By the Royal Army Medical Corps.