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The
Desert Poets of World War One
This is the first
book which tells the history of the conflict in the Middle East in
the First World War in both words and poetry. Indeed, this is the
first book devoted to the poems written by men who fought or served
in the Middle East in the First World War. Given the blood shed at
Gallipoli and the gruelling desert battles which followed, this
omission is surprising, especially as the soldier poets include
Rupert Brooke, Leon Gellert, A.P.Herbert, ‘Banjo’ Paterson, John
Masefield (who arranged a sea ambulance service), James Griffyth
Fairfax, Harley Matthews, Clem Attlee, T. E. Lawrence, Edwin
‘Trooper Gerardy’ Gerard and Siegfried Sassoon. Most anthologies
concentrate solely on the war poetry of the Western Front, and
nothing or little will be found in them written contemporaneously on
the shores of the Eastern Mediterranean or Mesopotamia. The
book covers many facets of the advance including the tensions
between British officers and Australian soldiers which developed
into what is now known as ‘‘Pom-pricking’ and
‘pom-baiting’ almost became a sport in Egypt and Palestine
during the First World War. Indeed, the tradition of started in the
First World War. London Punch carried cartoons which
illustrated the laid-back ‘independence’ of the Australian
character. One showed a London street in which all the very tall
lamp-posts were bent over at the top, from having been leaned on by
Australian solders.
Steve Gower, Director
of the Australian War Memorial, writes in the Foreword, ‘From
Gallipoli to Gaza constitutes a notable achievement in our
understanding of this part of the Great War, and the author deserves
our congratulations and thanks.’
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From Gallipoli to
Gaza
The
Desert Poets of World War One
(Simon
& Schuster,
Australia $29.95
UK £9.99)
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