THE SPIRES OF OXFORD (Seen from the train)

By W. M. Letts

I saw the spires of Oxford As I was passing by. The gray spires of Oxford Against a pearl-gray sky. My heart was with the Oxford men Who went abroad to die.

The years go fast in Oxford, The golden years and gay, The hoary Colleges look down On careless boys at play. But when the bugles sounded war They put their games away.

They left the peaceful river, The cricket-field, the quad, The shaven lawns of Oxford To seek a bloody sod— They gave their merry youth away For country and for God.

God rest you, happy gentlemen, Who laid your good lives down, Who took the khaki and the gun Instead of cap and gown. God bring you to a fairer place Than even Oxford town.

CapT J.B. Mitchell M.C. 3/8th/City of London Killed in action SepT 15/16

Esquimalt Dockyard.

BC Archives, MS-0392 Box 1 Volume 4 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1915.