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Epoch Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Voices From the Graveyard: Rudyard Kipling's ‘Epitaphs of the War'
During World War I, more than 880,000 men fighting for Great Britain died, One of those who fell in this bloodbath of a war was John Kipling (1897–1915), the only son of writer and poet Rudyard Kipling and his American-born wife, Caroline Balestier. After both the Army and the Navy rejected John's attempts to enlist for reasons of shortsightedness, Kipling used his influence to place his son in the Army, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Irish Guards. In 1915, just after his 18th birthday, John died in the Battle of Loos in France. Though they conducted an extensive investigation, Kipling and his wife never located their son's body. Later, historians identified what they now believe to be his gravesite, though this issue remains a matter of debate. An ardent supporter of the Empire and the British military, the post-war Kipling was understandably more filled with grief than patriotism. 'As a public man, he became much more angry and bitter,' Portrait of Rudyard Kipling from the biography "Rudyard Kipling," 1895, by John Palmer. Public Domain Tombstone Verse From a Complicated Man During his lifetime and afterward, Rudyard Kipling's novels, stories, and verse have attracted both garlands and brickbats from critics. Though both sides generally recognize his command of the English language, his attackers have labeled him an imperialist, a jingoist, and a racist. These tags can easily be tailored to fit the poet. ' Unfortunately for his detractors, Kipling and his works are a jumble of contradictions. The imperialist penned 'The Man Who Would Be King,' which contains criticisms of the British Empire; the jingoist wrote 'Recessional,' a rebuke to boasting and chauvinistic flag-waving; the racist composed 'Gunga Din,' the poem about the Indian bhisti (water-carrier) who died a hero while saving the life of a British soldier and so won these words as his garland of honor: 'You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!' Related Stories 8/31/2022 9/8/2021 A similar contradiction occurs with 'Epitaphs of the War.' Kipling was an early and ardent supporter of the war against Germany. He helped popularize the use of 'Hun' to describe the Germans in his poem ' A 1915 photograph of John Kipling, from the Rudyard Kipling papers, University of Sussex Library, England. Public Domain The Boys of War Here, for instance, are two voices: one belonging to a parent, the other to a dead son. Whether Kipling intended these as personal reflections on John's death will always be subject to debate. Surely the father who dearly loved his son and spent so much time trying to learn more about his final hours and the location of his body was at least thinking of John when he composed these two epitaphs: My son was killed while laughing at some jest. I would I knew What it was, and it might serve me in a time when jests are few. I have slain none except my Mother. She (Blessing her slayer) died of grief for me. In several of these verses, Kipling reminds readers that many of the dead, like his own son, were just steps away from childhood. In ' On the first hour of my first day In the front trench I fell. (Children in boxes at a play Stand up to watch it well.) In ' Laughing through clouds, his milk-teeth still unshed, Cities and men he smote from overhead. His deaths delivered, he returned to play Childlike, with childish things now put away. A file photo of a WWI-era plane. Shutterstock Misfits In this cemetery of sorrows, Kipling also made room for those who didn't fit into this world of artillery, guns, and gas. These people were separated by culture or temperament from the ravenous machine of battle and death that was WWI. Here were two who lost their lives to bullets fired by their comrades: I could not look on death, which being known, Men led me to him, blindfold and alone. Faithless the watch that I kept; now I have none to keep. I was slain because I slept; now I am slain I sleep. Let no man reproach me again, whatever watch is unkept— I sleep because I am slain. They slew me because I slept. Outlanders Other troops from the Empire fought and died in this conflict. In ' Prometheus brought down fire to men. This brought up water. The Gods are jealous—now, as then, Giving no quarter. Nor did the man who had spent so many years of his early life in India forget their troops who died on the Western Front: The man in his own country prayed we know not to what Powers. We pray Them to reward him for his bravery in ours. A Vanishing of Differences Class prejudices in Great Britain were still sharply practiced before the war, but as Kipling noted in ' A. 'I was a Have.' B. 'I was a 'have-not.'' (Together.) 'What hast thou given which I gave not.' Some British officers brought a servant from home to the Western Front, termed a 'batman' from the game of cricket. Often the relationship between the two became stronger during this time of duress. In many cases, it blossomed into true appreciation and even allowed the officer to better lead the men in his command. We learn of this arrangement in ' We were together since the War began. He was my servant—and the better man. Relevance The epitaphs of these combatants remind us of the costs of war. Two other poems Kipling included point to one of the perennial reasons for these wars and the accompanying suffering. Here is Kipling giving voice to ' I could not dig; I dared not rob; Therefore I lied to please the mob. Now all my lies are proved untrue And I must face the men I slew. What tale shall serve me here among Mine angry and defrauded young? One of the better-known inscriptions in this graveyard is ' If any question why we died, Tell them, because our fathers lied. In the excellent notes and commentary on 'Epitaphs of the War' A cemetery employee walks between graves of American servicemen killed during WWI ahead of celebrations of the WWI centenary at the American Cemetery in Suresnes, on the outskirts of Paris, France, on Nov. 9, 2018. Vadim Ghirda/AP Kipling published 'Epitaphs of the War' in 1919. By then, the appalling casualty lists of the dead, wounded, and missing were known. Some called the Great War 'the war to end all wars.' They couldn't foresee what lay ahead: another world war, a multitude of lesser wars, and a century of communism, fascism, and the collapse of empires. Kipling laments the personal costs of war. His 'Epitaphs' should act as a warning to all those who call for bombs and bullets instead of searching out every available option for peace. What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to
The Courier
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
'Dependable' Dundee solicitor Ian Rollo Steven dies aged 90
Ian Rollo Steven, a widely respected Dundee solicitor and lifelong supporter of Scottish sport, has died at the age of 90. He passed away peacefully on April 12 at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after suffering a stroke earlier in the month. The keen skier, yachtsman and curler remained fit and engaged and was looking forward to the start of his fishing season. He worked for many years as a senior partner in Rollo, Steven and Bond (later RSB Macdonald and then Lindsays) and was Dean of the Faculty of Solicitors and Procurator in Dundee. Paying tribute, youngest daughter Kate described her dad as a '100% dependable', loyal presence. She said: 'If anyone ever refers to dad as the 'late' Ian Steven…late isn't something you could ever say about dad. 'He would take the train before the train he was meant to be on. He was 100% dependable. 'If he said he would be there for you, whatever the reason, he undoubtedly was.' Born on February 5 1935, at Duneaves Nursing Home in Broughty Ferry, Ian Steven was the only child of Robert 'Rollo' Steven, and Phyllis Steven (née Langford Holt). His parents met through the arts at the Dundee Rep, where Phyllis was an actress and playwright. The couple raised Ian with a strong sense of duty, heritage and creativity. Ian was the nephew of two officers, Harvey and Sidney Steven, who were killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915 while serving in the Black Watch. Educated first at Lathallan School from the age of six, Ian went on to Trinity College, Glenalmond in 1948 aged 12. By the time he left in 1953, he had captained the football team, played in the rugby 1st XI, represented the school in golf and served as Keeper of Fives. Keeper of Fives is the equivalent to the captain of any particular sport at any particular establishment the sport is played at. He studied law at the University of St Andrews, a degree he earned while apprenticing full-time with the Dundee legal firm Shield & Kyd. Attending university classes from 4pm to 6pm and studying into the evenings, he was among the final generation to be awarded the traditional Bachelor of Law degree, before the course was restructured as an LLB. Ian formally began his legal career in 1953 as an apprentice at Shield & Kyd. During his training, he acted as clerk to John Kyd, then secretary of the Jute Importers Association. In 1957, he joined his family's firm, Rollo, Steven and Bond, where he would remain for more than 50 years. Throughout his career, Ian was a general solicitor in the traditional Scottish sense – handling everything from court appearances and estate law to conveyancing and company formation. From his first day he was assigned to the Poors Roll, representing clients pro bono in the local courts of Angus, Fife and Perth. He became senior partner in 1976, guiding the firm through several transitions – eventually becoming RSB Macdonald, and later part of Lindsays. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Solicitors and Procurator in Dundee during the major redevelopment of Dundee Sheriff Court. After retiring from legal practice in 2003, Ian remained as a consultant closely involved with the charitable sector. He chaired or served as a trustee for numerous local organisations, including the Isabella Smith Trust, the Smith Housing Association, the Mair Robertson & Peter Benevolent Trust, and Clova Kirk. Beyond the law, Ian's life was marked by a deep love for the outdoors and sport. A lifelong resident of the Tay area – living in Barnhill, Tayport and finally Newport-on-Tay – he always kept his home within view of the river. He also maintained a deep connection to the Angus glens, spending weekends at the family cottage in Glen Clova. He played rugby and cricket in his younger years but became more deeply involved in skiing, sailing, curling and fishing as the decades went on. In the 1950s and '60s, he was part of an elite group of Scottish ski racers, competing for – and winning – national titles. As race convenor for Dundee Ski Club and later for Scottish National Ski Racing, he went on to chair the main committee for British Men's Racing, including the Olympic team. He also contributed to the early development of the Glenshee ski area, helping to build the first ski tow at Meall Odhar. He was also honorary president of Dundee Ski Club. As a sailor, he was a lifelong member of the Royal Tay Yacht Club, competing in both local and regional regattas. His early Enterprise-class dinghy was humorously named GoesUnder, later replaced by an Osprey-class boat named Loki, after the Norse god of mischief. In both, he raced frequently and successfully, earning honours such as the Lawson Cup. Curling became a lifelong passion, both on frozen lochs and modern rinks. Ian estimated he had curled outdoors on more than 100 occasions. He was a devoted member of the Broughty Ferry Curling Club, which he twice served as president. He was still playing and winning matches in 2025. His social life in earlier years also included dancing. Ian was a popular presence at Invercarse ceilidh dances in the 1950s and 60s and was known for his lively footwork and impeccable timing – attributes that remained part of his character throughout his life. In 1969, he married Hilary 'Joy' Eilbeck in Aughton, Lancashire. He enjoyed a happy family life with their two daughters, Sarah Steven (Loveday) and Kate Steven. Ian is survived by his wife Joy, daughters Sarah and Kate, and his grandchildren Andrew and Zoe Loveday. A service of thanksgiving for Ian's life is being held at St Margaret's Church, Barnhill, Dundee, on Tuesday May 6 at 2pm.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WWI soldier finally buried after DNA matched great nephew's
A soldier from the First World War will finally be laid to rest later this year after DNA tests proved his identity. Lieutenant James Allan died aged 20, on the first day of the Battle of Loos on Sept 25 1915. An official report later said the officer, of the 9th Gordon Highlanders, was 'last seen rallying some infantry in a most gallant manner'. His body lay undiscovered for 108 years until it was found by builders working on a new hospital in Lens, France. War records and the discovery of buttons from his battalion led researchers to believe the remains could belong to Lt Allan, who came from Edinburgh. Lt Allan's great nephew Nicholas Allan, 55, was sent a letter from the Ministry of Defence in December 2023, asking him to provide a DNA sample. He was told he could be one of 14 possible descendants of soldiers killed in the area. In January, the chef and co-founder of Star Anise cafe, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, was called and told that his DNA was a match and the remains were those of his great-uncle. He said: 'I was completely blown away. It stopped me in my tracks and it woke me up from the everyday, getting on with your job and worrying about whether I've got enough in the bank to pay the next bill. It took me out, and I went 'wow, I've got roots going back 110 years ago to the First World War'. 'It completely changed my whole outlook in that moment. I was awake to a different relationship to just being a guy running a cafe.' A letter written by Private George Ferguson and addressed to the fallen officer's parents, dated Jan 1 1916, said he was 'lying on his stomach very peaceful looking' after his death in the trenches. In Lt Allan's last letter home, to his elder sister Margaret and postmarked Aug 4 1915, he wrote that the 'uselessness' of the war had been impressed upon him and asked his family to send him some matches. In September this year, 110 years on from his death, Lt Allan will be laid to rest in Lens with full military honours. To pay tribute to his memory, Nicholas and his younger brother Christopher plan to wear kilts made from one of 16 possible Allan tartans. Nicholas said: 'I remember as a little 12-year-old, my dad taking me to Edinburgh Castle, to the memorial plaque of those who had passed. He said: 'Look, that's your great-uncle'. I only clocked oh, it's a relative and he died in the Great War. I didn't have the presence of mind as a little boy to ask: 'Oh, who is he?'. 'My grandfather, Nimmo, was 18 when his brother was killed. He survived the war, but never spoke about his elder brother. I think at that time and in that period, people didn't speak about the Great War very much. It was very much a cultural thing. The culture of those times was you just get on with your life, and those who have gone have gone.' According to the National Army Museum, the Battle of Loos caused 50,000 British casualties, almost double the number of German losses, and was the first time the British Army used gas as a weapon. Nicholas said: 'Although the Brits outnumbered the Germans, the Germans were far more organised, and they just had very good machine gun positions and just mowed them down. 'They kept on being sent out. It was a classic scenario in the First World War, where these guys were literally sent over the trenches into bloody machine gun fire, it was just kind of nuts.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
WWI soldier finally buried after DNA matched great nephew's
A soldier from the First World War will finally be laid to rest later this year after DNA tests proved his identity. Lieutenant James Allan died aged 20, on the first day of the Battle of Loos on Sept 25 1915. An official report later said the officer, of the 9th Gordon Highlanders, was 'last seen rallying some infantry in a most gallant manner'. His body lay undiscovered for 108 years until it was found by builders working on a new hospital in Lens, France. War records and the discovery of buttons from his battalion led researchers to believe the remains could belong to Lt Allan, who came from Edinburgh. Lt Allan's great nephew Nicholas Allan, 55, was sent a letter from the Ministry of Defence in December 2023, asking him to provide a DNA sample. He was told he could be one of 14 possible descendants of soldiers killed in the area. In January, the chef and co-founder of Star Anise cafe, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, was called and told that his DNA was a match and the remains were those of his great-uncle. He said: 'I was completely blown away. It stopped me in my tracks and it woke me up from the everyday, getting on with your job and worrying about whether I've got enough in the bank to pay the next bill. It took me out, and I went 'wow, I've got roots going back 110 years ago to the First World War'. 'It completely changed my whole outlook in that moment. I was awake to a different relationship to just being a guy running a cafe.' A letter written by Private George Ferguson and addressed to the fallen officer's parents, dated Jan 1 1916, said he was 'lying on his stomach very peaceful looking' after his death in the trenches. In Lt Allan's last letter home, to his elder sister Margaret and postmarked Aug 4 1915, he wrote that the 'uselessness' of the war had been impressed upon him and asked his family to send him some matches. In September this year, 110 years on from his death, Lt Allan will be laid to rest in Lens with full military honours. To pay tribute to his memory, Nicholas and his younger brother Christopher plan to wear kilts made from one of 16 possible Allan tartans. Nicholas said: 'I remember as a little 12-year-old, my dad taking me to Edinburgh Castle, to the memorial plaque of those who had passed. He said: 'Look, that's your great-uncle'. I only clocked oh, it's a relative and he died in the Great War. I didn't have the presence of mind as a little boy to ask: 'Oh, who is he?'. 'My grandfather, Nimmo, was 18 when his brother was killed. He survived the war, but never spoke about his elder brother. I think at that time and in that period, people didn't speak about the Great War very much. It was very much a cultural thing. The culture of those times was you just get on with your life, and those who have gone have gone.' According to the National Army Museum, the Battle of Loos caused 50,000 British casualties, almost double the number of German losses, and was the first time the British Army used gas as a weapon. Nicholas said: 'Although the Brits outnumbered the Germans, the Germans were far more organised, and they just had very good machine gun positions and just mowed them down. 'They kept on being sent out. It was a classic scenario in the First World War, where these guys were literally sent over the trenches into bloody machine gun fire, it was just kind of nuts.'
