Richardson, John Ernest
Lieutenant John Richardson, B.A. Student of English: he was preparing a Thesis, for the M.A. degree, on the Elizabethan poem, "Warner's Albion's England." Shortly before his death he wrote home for his copy of the old English epic "Beowulf." On the wall of his trench he had chalked the famous refrain, from the oldest English lyric "Deor's Lament," which in modern English may be rendered "O'er that he triumphed, O'er this may I."
Thine was no pedant's zeal: the Mother-tongue
Taught thee high dictates of the Fatherland;
The call that no patriot-heart can e'er withstand
Tore thee from lays by ancient poets sung.
Well didst thou learn the lore, to thee endear'd,
Of that young warrior who with dragons fought
And conquer'd, - steadfast, selfless, unafear'd, -
"Better is Death than Life with self-scorn fraught."
Not less thy courage, though thy scholar-soul
Illum'd thy trench with mystic runes, - the hope
That solac'd in his care our eldest Scop
Whose song is wrought on Britain's golden scroll.
No better mead would'st thou, no higher fame:
In Albion's England is enshrined thy name! King's College, Review, I.G.
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Richardson |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | John Ernest |
| Family details | Son of Mr and Mrs E. Richardson, of "Montfitchet," Leigham Vale Rd., West Southbourne, Bournemouth |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Arts, English |
| Qualifications | B.A. |
| Military unit | London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 2nd Battn. |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Date of death | 7 May 1915 |
| Rank at death | Lieutenant |
| Place of death | Armentieres |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Burial place | Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery, Houplines, Nord, France |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel |
| Notes | Home address - Forest Gate |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; University of London O.T.C.1914-19 |
Further information
To contribute further information for this page, please click here to contact us ›
