THERE is a corner of a foreign field that will be forever remembered for Steep poet Edward Thomas, who died there a century ago.
At this poignant spot near Arras in northern France, at 7.36am last Sunday, Petersfield poetry lovers were among those who gathered at the exact time and date of his demise in battle in the First World War in 1917.
Just behind them was a cherry tree in flower, reminding the sombre group of 41 members of the Edward Thomas Fellowship of his poem The Cherry Trees.
Fellowship vice-chairman Jeremy Mitchell, who is a trustee at Petersfield Museum, made the trip and was very moved by the occasion.
“Unlike 100 years ago when the land was covered in snow, and there was a biting wind and sub zero temperatures, April 9, 2017, was dry, bright and cool when we made our way to the co-ordinates of the Observation Post at Beaurains, near Arras, where the poet was killed in action,” he said.
“Although the landscape has changed, the Telegraph Hill that Thomas was observing for his artillery battalion back in Achicourt was still visible.
“As 7.36am approached, the sun rose over the nearby buildings and two minutes’ silence was impeccably observed.”
The vigil was followed by a trip to Agny Military Cemetery where Thomas is buried, and an informal remembrance was held, including the laying of wreaths by members of his family and the Edward Thomas Fellowship.
His great-granddaughter Lucy Milner, great great granddaughter Sophie Milner, great niece and great nephew Julia and Roland Maxted, and granddaughter-in-law Jennifer Thomas were present.
Their wreath was made up of flowers, and feathers, bark and twigs collected from the woods around Steep.
A ceramic poppy, from the Tower of London display, Bloodswept Lands and Seas, was also laid by the Fellowship, and, as it cannot be left at the grave, is being donated to Petersfield Museum.
Jeremy, and other Petersfield residents on the trip, Pam and Steven Turner, were very pleased to see a wreath already there from Petersfield Royal British Legion.