WILFRED OWEN br (1893-1918) br br An Englishman and greatest British soldier poet of World War One. Served in the trenches as a Lieutenant and was awarded the Military Cross. Hospitalised with shell shock back to England in April 1917, and returned to the trenches in October. On November 4th 1918, before sunrise, led his platoon to the West bank of the Sambre and Oise Canal. They came under German machine gunfire and Owen was killed. In Shrewsbury, England, the Armistice bells were ringing when his parents front-door bell sounded heralding the telegram they had feared for two years, br br br Young and joyful br Stirring his Muse to sing br Lilting songs of beauty and love br Enjoying afternoon teas on luxuriant lawns br Life was melodious br Rich, and full of promise. br br Then came the call to arms br His Country's need for soldiers br And he endured Hell in the trenches br Seeing things that broke the mind asunder br And with soul ripped and bleeding br He was returned home on sick leave. br br Back again in the trenches br His Muse roared against the gore br As he penned the folly and madness of war. br The plight of boy soldiers dying in the mud br Thousands slaughtered like lambs br Sweetest flowers of a Nation destroyed. br br Briefly his candle flame flickered brightly br Before the raging storm extinguished it.