Two Soldiers
Two soldiers a generation apart29 total reviews
Comment from Frank Malley
Much great art castigates the pointless horrors of WWI and its use of poison gas and trench encampments. This brief narrative, delivered from two soldiers who are brothers and are both killed in this war,supplies us with details that make their deaths powerfully pointless; most modern analysts of this war consider it to have been an exercise in colonial expansion that had little to do with the lives of those whose battles it killed. Is there anything more cruel that ending an innocent life on behalf of greed? This question is only implied within the body of this excellent short piece.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Much great art castigates the pointless horrors of WWI and its use of poison gas and trench encampments. This brief narrative, delivered from two soldiers who are brothers and are both killed in this war,supplies us with details that make their deaths powerfully pointless; most modern analysts of this war consider it to have been an exercise in colonial expansion that had little to do with the lives of those whose battles it killed. Is there anything more cruel that ending an innocent life on behalf of greed? This question is only implied within the body of this excellent short piece.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you for your excellent comments and review.
Just a note that Harold was Bert's uncle. I will make a notation in my notes, I can see where it can be confusing.
Mary
Comment from royowen
I wrote a poem centred around the unjust and merciless Versailles treaty. WW1 wasted the sons of the countries engaged, it was a moral travesty committed by the pride of old men, who cost dearly the flower of the world's youth, thank you Mary, for this excellent post, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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I wrote a poem centred around the unjust and merciless Versailles treaty. WW1 wasted the sons of the countries engaged, it was a moral travesty committed by the pride of old men, who cost dearly the flower of the world's youth, thank you Mary, for this excellent post, blessings Roy
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Roy, I appreciate your review and your comments on the war.
Blessings,
Mary
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Excellent story it is believable with good dialogue and plot. The characters are well-developed. It's clear to see that the soldier survived. You are a wonderful storyteller and writer.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Excellent story it is believable with good dialogue and plot. The characters are well-developed. It's clear to see that the soldier survived. You are a wonderful storyteller and writer.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Gypsy, I appreciate your taking the time to read.
One thing, neither soldier survived. Harold died in WWI at 19 and his nephew Bert died in WWII at 21.
Mary
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
This was well prepared, well researched, and well written. As I read I checked again to see if it was a Fiction or Non-Fiction story. You brought these soldiers to life, and described that they died it was a genius premise, I believe. I plan to reread it, due to the details. I do not want to miss anything. I enjoyed the voice in which this was written, too. It felt very authentic. I hope to read more from you.
Best wishes,
Alex
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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This was well prepared, well researched, and well written. As I read I checked again to see if it was a Fiction or Non-Fiction story. You brought these soldiers to life, and described that they died it was a genius premise, I believe. I plan to reread it, due to the details. I do not want to miss anything. I enjoyed the voice in which this was written, too. It felt very authentic. I hope to read more from you.
Best wishes,
Alex
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Alex, for your very kind words and review. It is very much appreciated.
Harold's story was fictional; he did exist, but all the information I found, including his note, was from archives.
Bert was based on what my dad told me about his brother. I recently found Bert's Canadian dog tag.
Mary
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
I think the way you tell both stories here is particularly effective. Because it's in the first person, the reader immediately believes that the soldier has survived. So the shock is all the more powerful and moving. It's always so sad to hear about these young men cut down in their prime, often not understanding the full effect of what they were involved in. Your additional notes and, of course, the image complete an excellent, informative and wonderful tribute to these men. Well done, Mary! Debbie
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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I think the way you tell both stories here is particularly effective. Because it's in the first person, the reader immediately believes that the soldier has survived. So the shock is all the more powerful and moving. It's always so sad to hear about these young men cut down in their prime, often not understanding the full effect of what they were involved in. Your additional notes and, of course, the image complete an excellent, informative and wonderful tribute to these men. Well done, Mary! Debbie
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Debbie, I appreciate your review and kind words. It is sad to find that Harold's memory was lost. His nephew, my father, Harold never knew he existed.
Mary
Comment from Terry Broxson
Mary, this is a very interesting family story. I did some genealogy research as well. My father was born in 1919. He was an only child, or so he thought. He found out and met a half-brother in 1964. He also discovered he had another 1/2 brother who died from injuries in WWI while fighting Bolsheviks in Russia. My research, like yours, turned up a lot of interesting information. Well done. Terry.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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Mary, this is a very interesting family story. I did some genealogy research as well. My father was born in 1919. He was an only child, or so he thought. He found out and met a half-brother in 1964. He also discovered he had another 1/2 brother who died from injuries in WWI while fighting Bolsheviks in Russia. My research, like yours, turned up a lot of interesting information. Well done. Terry.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Terry, for your review. I only wish that I knew about Pvt. Harold before my father Harold or my grandmother passed away, it would have been very interesting.
Family secrets once out in the open bring many questions.
Mary
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
The common denominator here is that German was the enemy in both wars and the way the first one ended actually did cause the second world war. You have drawn on some personal experiences here of relatives Mary and your inventive story is so very sad as these soldiers were both young and did not have a chance to live their lives to the full. A heartfelt, well-written post about war history, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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The common denominator here is that German was the enemy in both wars and the way the first one ended actually did cause the second world war. You have drawn on some personal experiences here of relatives Mary and your inventive story is so very sad as these soldiers were both young and did not have a chance to live their lives to the full. A heartfelt, well-written post about war history, love Dolly x
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Dolly your thoughtful review. I appreciate your comments and kindness.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment from John Ciarmello
I enjoyed this read; Mary and I love how both men tell their stories up to and including their deaths. Both stories are captivating and sad.
A well-told piece! I loved it! Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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I enjoyed this read; Mary and I love how both men tell their stories up to and including their deaths. Both stories are captivating and sad.
A well-told piece! I loved it! Best, JohnC
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2024
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Thank you John, I appreciate your review and kindness.
Best regards,
Mary
Comment from patcelaw
This is so well written, and very much describes the horrors of war. Those men and women now who are fighting wars around the world are to be commended and thought of as heroes. I wish you the very best with all of your writing, and I very much enjoyed your story. Patric.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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This is so well written, and very much describes the horrors of war. Those men and women now who are fighting wars around the world are to be commended and thought of as heroes. I wish you the very best with all of your writing, and I very much enjoyed your story. Patric.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you Patricia. I appreciate your review and comments.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment from Tom Horonzy
What a horrible war. Might have been the worst of all with mustard gas and all that trenching, and whatever the cause of any war, history will prove there are no winners. For example, Rome, Greece, Babylonians lost all they gained, so why is Putin being such an ASS? idk. It's not as if Russia needed more land.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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What a horrible war. Might have been the worst of all with mustard gas and all that trenching, and whatever the cause of any war, history will prove there are no winners. For example, Rome, Greece, Babylonians lost all they gained, so why is Putin being such an ASS? idk. It's not as if Russia needed more land.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Tom, for review. It all comes down to wanting more power and status. It has been through history from Caesar to Putin. None who looked at history may repeat itself.
