Canadian History
May 3, 1915
May 3, 1915 - John McCrae of Guelph, Ont, wrote the famous poem In Flanders Fields. It was composed in 20 minutes at Ypres and first published in December 1915 in the English magazine Punch.
"In Flanders Fields," written in John McCrae’s hand.* "Click" photo to enlarge, full Description and Credit.
The Second Battle of Ypres* Library and Archives Canada MIKAN 2837593. "Click" photo to enlarge.
The first chapter of In Flanders Fields and Other Poems, a 1919 collection of McCrae's works, gives the text of the poem as follows:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Graves of three P.P.C.L.I. men. [Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]. Ypres - August, 1916* "Click" to enlarge Photo and Credit.
John McCrae Albertina, Essex Farm cemetery. "Click" to enlarge and Credit.
John McRae, 1872-1918 Stamp*
"Click" to enlarge and Credit.