Forgotten Poets of the First World War: William Maunsell Scanlan, MC, MM (1886 - 1917)

Tuesday 18 October 2016

William Maunsell Scanlan, MC, MM (1886 - 1917) - Canadian Poet

William was born in Bluevale, Huron County, Ontario, Canada on 8^th July 1886, where his maternal grandparents lived.. His father was The Rev. Dr. Scanlan and his Great-Grandfather was Michael Scanlan, a High Sheriff of Limerick in Ireland.

When WW1 broke out, William was working as the City Editor of the newspaper “Regina Leader” in Saskatchewan, Canada. He enlisted in September 1914, joined the Fifth Canadian Battalion of the First Canadian Division and was posted to the Western Front in France, probably travelling via Britain.

As well as having poems published in “Canada in Khaki”, William co-edited “A Christmas Garland from the Front: Fifth Canadian Battalion: First Canadian Division, BEF, France and Belgium, which was published by G. Pulman & Sons, London, 1915. He was also involved in the Canadian Corps Entertainment Party from 1915 until 1916, entertaining the troops. Awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, William was also awarded the Military Cross.

Wounded in the fighting on Vimy Ridge on 9^th April 1917 and died the following day from his wounds. He was buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas-de-Calais, France.

"Relief Night" was written by Scanlan and published in the 1917 edition of “Canada in Khaki” magazine

Dark as Hades, wind and rain

(Oh the Fifth is relieving to-night!)

Struggling along through old Mud Lane.

By the flickering glow of a pale flare light.

Ruined walls where the chateau stood

(Oh, the Fifth is relieving to-night!)

Shadowy forms in Plugstreet Wood

Haunting the scenes of a bygone fight.

Trudging down the Messines road

(It always rains when the Fifth goes in!)

Stagg'ring along with your heavy load,

Slipping and sprawling --it's dark as sin!

Whine of bullets and burst of shell

("Duck your 'nappers' and on you go!")

For we've got to go in and do our spell,

It's front line trenches this trip, you know!

Dark as Hades, wind and rain

(Weary men in their dug-outs seated).

Sentries their eyes through the darkness strain

"Tines! Pip Emma, relief completed!"

"The Thin Red Line" by H. Piffard

“Canada in Khaki” magazine was published in Toronto by the Musson Book Company and by the Canadian War Records Office. The aim of the publication was to illustrate Canadians' actions during the First World War and to raise money for the Canadian War Memorial Fund. The magazine was published annually from 1917–1919 in three volumes. WW1 artists John Byam Liston Shaw, Harold H. Piffard, among others contributed illustrations.

Harold Hume Piffard (10 August 1867 – 17 January 1938) was a British artist and illustrator, and one of the first British aviators.