Uncle Henry

“I was interested to read about Aubers Ridge in the recent supplement,” emails Helen Lawrenson, “as my great-uncle Henry Elder (pictured right) lost his arm there. He worked for DC Thomson and served in the same little group of The Black Watch as Joseph Lee and other writers for DC Thomson.

“I attended a reading featuring the poetry of Joseph Lee. The evening was brought alive by the presence of the DC Thomson archivist, who projected excerpts from newspaper accounts of the fighting involving Lee and others, including a mention of Uncle Henry. I had always known that he had been severely wounded on May 9, 1915. As I was later born on May 9, my granny always reminded me that I had been born on that anniversary!

“My maiden name was Elder and my father was called Henry Macnamara Elder after his uncle, who survived the war and was wellknown to him.”

Helen writes poetry herself and the following is a poignant example. Falling Leaves Summer fades: and now a hundred years

have gone by since the ending of a War of Wars . . . and yet, while we remember those who died, there are as many tears for dead and wounded now across the world; sorrow and loss the world cannot prevent.

Now while we walk among the trees, see the leaves turning, as September reddens them – O Lord of tree and field, who called Zacchaeus out of the sycamore, and saw Nathaniel when he sat beneath the fig-tree . . . You who sent Your people out into the field – with so much we can never understand, we still must trust and pray:

Let good men speak for You, and nations hear, that all divisions may be healed and peace breathe over every land.