Michael Morpurgo reads 'Before Action' by William Hodgson

William Hodgson fought with the Devonshire regiment in the First World War and was already a promising poet when he was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Michael Morpurgo, a native of Devon, reads Hodgson's 'Before Action', one of the most moving poems of the war.

[@Smudge208]

That was beautiful, thank you.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

He wrote that poem two days before his death. Perhaps he knew, deep down. The 9th Devons were one of the few units at the Somme to reach its objective. I am proud that the Devonshires hold it still

[@MrTBrearley]

You may find the other film I made about the cemetery interesting. It was presented by the War Graves historian. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eabEmoZpesyclbc. The evidence that the Devonshires achieved their first day objectives is there in this classic Trench Cemetery. Having created a new line, the old trench proved to be the best way of giving their dead a decent burial; Such a moving place

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

@@MrTBrearley the defiance and the pride in that simple inscription takes my breath away. I'll give it a look