The importance of In Flanders Fields

By : Matthew Elder.

In Flanders Fields rightfully remains front and center at this time of year. The famous poem, penned by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae on a First World War battlefield, memorializes our fallen soldiers, who have lain buried in Belgium for more than a century.

McCrae, an officer with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, was assigned to an artillery unit in 1915, during the second battle of Ypres. In a letter to his mother, McCrae described the battle as a “nightmare”. Shaken by the death of a friend amid violent artillery fire, McCrae was moved to pen the poem as the smoke of battle cleared.

Soon after, he was assigned as Chief of Medicine to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France, staffed by personnel from McGill University’s medical school. McCrae is said to have disposed of his hand-written poem in a waste basket. It was retrieved by a fellow officer, and colleagues insisted he submit it for publication. Initially rejected by The Spectator in London, it was published in Punch magazine in December 1915.

“Blow” or “grow”?

There is some controversy about a word in the poem’s opening line, “In Flanders fields the poppies grow.” McCrae originally wrote this as “In Flanders fields the poppies blow.” An editor at Punch recommended changing “blow” to “grow.” Mike Wallace, a representative of the McCrae family, corroborates this.

It is recorded that McCrae approved the change… Further, in later hand-written copies, he incorporated the change himself,” Wallace told Tempo.

However, most republished versions of the poem are true to the original wording.

Tragically, McCrae died of pneumonia in early 1918 and was buried with full military honours in a service near Boulogne attended by General Arthur Currie, commander of the Canadian Corps.

In Flanders Fields is an icon of remembrance, and it is often read at ceremonies on November 11, Remembrance Day.

The original text

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Remembrance events

Knowlton Lions Club serves its Remembrance Brunch on Sunday, November 8 at Knowlton Academy. For the past three decades, this meal has brought the community together to honour our veterans. This year, as usual, scrambled eggs, sausages, pancakes and tourtière will be served from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The tradition of eating all you wish and contributing what you can continues. As well, Christmas cakes and other goodies will be on sale as a fundraiser for the club. Knowlton Harmony Band will add to the atmosphere with musical favourites from the war eras.

On Wednesday, November 11, the Royal Canadian Legion, Brome Branch No. 06-023 will hold the Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph on Victoria Street, in front of Knowlton Academy. The service follows the pattern of past years with prayers, laying of wreaths and a trumpeter playing The Last Post. Knowlton Harmony Band will provide accompanying hymns and other music.

The appreciation for service at the ceremony is extended to military veterans and current members, firefighters, first responders and police for their contributions to our community. Their legacy reminds us to keep on defending what is just.

With files from Meredith Mackeen.