Edward Thomas begins to write poetry
Jackie Tweedale
In Dymock, on September 10th, a dance was held in aid of the Prince of Wales’s National Relief Fund and was to be held at the Rifle Hall. Tickets were sold for a shilling and were to be obtained from The Beauchamp Arms.1 Also, that September a series of recruitment meetings in villages across the district were organised. There would however, be a lull in the number of meetings during the hop picking season. The meetings were to encourage enlistment in Lord Kitchener’s Army. Dymock was no exception and the Chairman, Sir Arthur Anstice R.C.B,” delivered a telling speech in which he eulogised Gloucestershire in general, and Dymock in particular, for the number of recruits that had been sent to help deliver a knock-out blow to Kaiseriam”.2 All men of the right age, and if physically fit, were encouraged to enlist. “It would be a far nobler game than playing football, hockey, golf, etc.”3 The vicar, Rev Marston said “That Dymock had sent about 10 to join the colours, and read out their names, which were greeted with loud cheers.”4
At the end of January 1915 Eleanor Farjeon went to stay with the Frosts at The Gallows for a week. Edward Thomas was unable to join them as he had sprained his ankle and was immobile for a month. During that time he wrote poems. In December he wrote 5 poems in 5 days. His first poem was “Up in the Wind, followed by “November”, “March”, “Old Man” and “Signpost”. Between the 4th and 23rd January he wrote 16 poems. Some of his early work appeared in “The Bouquet”, the magazine written by the Frost children. Thomas also sent his poems to Frost, Eleanor and Harold Munro for thoughts and comments. Eleanor typed up the poems for him.
Whist he was incapacitated, Lesley Frost wrote to Thomas to describe the Leadon River in flood and the shiny nights in Ryton. Thomas asked Eleanor to rescue some books he had lent Frost in the autumn, worrying that they might be left at the Ryton when Frost left. On her visit Eleanor walked with Frost and describes, “much running about the village with the young Frosts, who made themselves at home everywhere; and particularly in the farm house across the road, where Monday was not washing day but baking day, when the farm–wife kneaded a mountain of dough to last the appetites of the farmer and his men through the week.” She recalls the woman saying that baking was harder work than the tubful of washing which was done on the Tuesday (and by hand).5
When Eleanor’s visit came to an end it was to be the last time she saw them. The Frosts sailed for America in February.
1 Kington Reporter 29.8.1914
2 Ledbury Guardian 19.9.1914
3 Ledbury Guardian 19.9.1914
4 Ledbury Guardian 19.9.1914
5 Eleanor Farjeon. Edward Thomas: The Last Four Years
Eleanor Farjeon. Edward Thomas: The Last Four Years
Matthew Hollis. Now All Roads Lead to France.
Newspaper quotes – http://www.old-ledbury.co.uk/ww1/ww1Dymock.htm
