Letter to my Grandfather Dear Percy Thomas 'Tom' Wrightson, Father, Husband, Loving Son, A man I've not till recent known, A man who did not see his family grow. My father tells me of your wife, Granny Wrightson - sharp as knife, Brash and bold, wizened joke, And always seen through subtle smoke. How then must have she felt that day, To get the note, in solemn grey, From Kings Army, Yorks Regiment, Your time had come, your life been spent. I can't imagine how she felt, Nor can I think of how she dealt, A life cut short a marriage out, With no one there to scream and shout. How deep did cut this tragic tale? To children, parents, family pale, Once was there, now like mist has gone, Sacrifice made, now must carry on. I sit here now a century on, A war to end all, we were so wrong, But I look at you, hope in your eyes, And I wonder , did your hope die? That mournful day when powder and steal, Took from our lives, the mirth and zeal, The man who was , who's lifes been had, Percy 'Tom', father, son... Great Great Grandad. RIP - Percy Thomas Wrightson Died May 1917 - A soldier of the "Great" War

Marc Valentine