Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do

Subject: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: Edain
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 07:40 PM

Someone asked me recently what my favourite poem was, and being in a bit of a morkish mood (a large number of friends had just 'died' in a large mock battle and needed to start new characters) I thought of one that used to be said at the war memorial every rememberance Sunday when I used to play there as part of my school band.

All I can remember of it is some thing about the soldiers not being heros but just ordinary men and that they were 'doing what they had to do, in the only way they could'. I tried to find the rest of the poem online but Google and other searchs haven't come up with anything. Does anyone have any ideas?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 03:05 PM

Something from Kipling?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: Edain
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 12:18 PM

That was my initial though Guest, but having loked through several internet archives of his work I couldn't find it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 02:35 PM

Edain, have you considered contacting a Legion near you? That would seem a likely place to look. I have had NO luck at all on the 'net, although I didn't really expect to after you'd searched it. The thing is that something in your first post is stirring a memory--but it's old and feeble (much like me I think). I shall keep on keeping on, but don't hold your breath waiting for me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: Effsee
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 03:18 PM

Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, Churchill, Henderson?
Endless possibilities.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 03:40 PM

Edain,

In what place did you hear this first? Canada, USA, England . . . ? That makes a difference as to what Remembrance Day is called.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: Edain
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 03:46 PM

Guest: Northern England

I'll look into contacting the local Legion

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 03:59 PM

Edain,

I have just now e-mail the gist of your first post to "Legion Magazine"'s editorial staff in Canada. I will message you when and if I get a response.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Doing what they had to do
From: Edain
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 12:27 PM

I got a reply from the Royal British Legion's event co-ordinator who sent me a copy of "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon, a part of which is used in the services over here, but unfortunately it's not the one I'm looking for so I think the next step is to try and get in touch with the local branch at home and see if they have any ideas.