Major John McCrae (Canadian Army) was a doctor serving in the Second Battle of Ypres. He was the second in command of the 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillery. Although the deaths and suffering were unimaginable, one death particularly affected Dr. McCrae:
Lt. Alexis Helmer, an officer in the 2nd Battery, 1st Brigade was a dear friend of Dr. McCraes. On May 2nd 1915, Lt. Helmer was killed instantly by a direct hit from an 8 inch German shell. Gathering his body, they placed the 22 year old officer in a blanket for burial.
During the First Battle of Ypres (1914) a small cemetery had been established. It was in this burial ground that Lt. Helmer was placed. His friend, Major John McCrae, conducted the service at graveside. A simple wooden cross marked the grave. The graves in this cemetery, although unadorned, were interspersed with vivid poppies that sprang up throughout the field.
Although there are many stories that tell of the inspiration for the poem, it is known that Major McCrae was deeply moved by his experiences in this arena. The death and devastation was such that he earlier wrote: I wish I could embody on paper some of the varied sensations of that seventeen days. . Seventeen days of Hades! At the end of the first day, if anyone had told us we had to spend seventeen days there, we would have folded our hands and said it could not have been done.
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In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
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