At Thiepval
This poem is dedicated to the memory of Private Thomas O’Callaghan of the Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action on 9th September 1916 on the Somme at Ginchy, and of his twin brother Private Patrick O’Callaghan who served with the Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers until November 1917. Thomas has no grave and is recorded among the missing at Thiepval. Patrick was invalided out of the army, suffering a 50% disability caused by ‘neurasthenia and dementia’ directly attributable to his war service. In the 1920s, his disability allowance was increased to 100%, and he died unmarried in 1947. At Thiepval My name’s here, O’Callaghan, T., carved deep In timeless Portland stone, ‘lest you forget’. For years, I've looked across those bloodied fields, And wished you’d come and stand with me. The guns are silent now; only mourners trudge Past the serried lines of missing men. Stand by my side and let the autumn breeze Be my voice in our storied sepulchral hall. Near Ginchy on the ninth, a fine