OH ARTY, DEAR DEPARTED SHADE
WHERE IS THY PLACE
OF BLISSFUL REST
FROM HIS LOVING MOTHER

PRIVATE ARTHUR BULLOCK

SHERWOOD FORRESTERS, NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT

31ST OCTOBER 1918 AGE 19

BURIED: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, FRANCE


Mrs Bullock has modified a poem by Robert Burns, 'To Mary in Heaven', substituting her pet name for her son for that of Mary. In the poem, it is the anniversary of Mary's death and Burns is remembering his last meeting with her, little realising at the time that it would be his last.

Thou ling'ring star, with lessening ray,
That lov'st to greet the early morn,
Again thou usher'st in the day
My Mary from my soul was torn.
O Mary! dear departed shade!
Where is thy place of blissful rest?
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid?
Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast?

Arthur Bullock died at the base hospital at Etaples from the effects of gas. Although Mrs Bullock has quoted from verse one, I have a feeling that the final verse would have echoed her own sentiments too:

Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes,
And fondly broods with miser-care;
Time but th' impression stronger makes,
As streams their channels deeper wear.