234893 Richard J. Vine British Army 10th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment from:Ewhurst, Surrey L/Cpl RJ Vine was blinded on 1st July 2016 at Fricourt. He enlisted on 4th September 1914 into the 10th West Yorks. A draughtsman before the war he retrained as a basket maker and later a telephonist. He was married and had two sons - they fought in the Second World War and came home safe and uninjured. His wife died in 1982. Below is one of his many poems. They are hauntingly beautiful.
The Eve of Call Up.
How lovely is the night; this final night of free resolve and clear, unfettered thought; these percious hours are mine in lone delight to pleasure joyful memories life has brought.
The night is mine; those silver stars that shine shattering the dark despondency above, will shine with steadfast light in days to be when all my soul shall crave one spark of love; and the friendly moon shall I see full and serene, spreading a glorious sheen over the heaving bosom of the sea. A glittering chain of restless, golden light; while sea-borne airs will gently breathe into my heart caresses of the night.
These are my friends; each in its fashion lends a lasting gift of lovely memories.
And other friends there be whom I revere whose goodly company will grant release from life's insistent tumult pressing near.
So shall I know, wherever I may go, to what far distant land my fortune leads, in lonely, quivering nights and hideous days, and fighting, fight again with desperate deeds till blind endurance fail and judgment cease, when faith burns low and hope has lost its glow, and in the days to come when sordid ease would seek to undermine my very soul, when evil men and women vainly please, who sear the flesh, yet leave the spirit whole.
Then shall I know the beauty of this hour so close will I enfold it to my breast; and friends shall crowd my thoughts with pleasant fare, firming resolved and granting perfect rest.
The night is mine, its beauty is my power.
RJV.
Blind Veterans Review magazine that dating from July 1915 for those blinded in the First World War.
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