I was prompted to write this today following a comment from Chris Hall https://lunasonline.wordpress.com/ about my post Goodbye Christopher Robin https://lordjoewells.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/goodbye-christopher-robin/ and the mention of the film on the subject.
This led into the mention of the film My boy Jack which I can also recommend as very well worth watching.
My Boy Jack is a 1916 poem by Rudyard Kipling. It was written after his son called Jack was posted as missing and later as dead in September 1915 during the battle of Loos in World War One. Jack was a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards when he was killed, he had extremely bad eyesight and was not fit to be in the Army, but in the beginning of the war his father was very patriotic and pushed for his son to join up.
Not surprisingly after his son was killed Rudyard Kipling became very anti war, after witnessing the futility of it, having lost his son. My Boy Jack is quite a moving poem but all the more so when you know the story of why it was written. I need add nothing further to this blog and I give you;
My Boy Jack, by Rudyard Kipling.
“Have you news of my boy Jack?”
Not this tide.
“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Has any one else had word of him?”
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind —
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!
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About The Diary of a Country Bumpkin
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother who had dementia, hence the lack of acting work but shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
That’s a very poignant poem, I shall definitely look out for the film. And thanks for the mention!
Pleasure, enjoy the film, it’s a good one.
Heartbreaking..something you’d never come to terms with. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one to shoulder guilt from similar situations, back then, but they were different & exceptional times. Sounds like the basis for a good film.
It is an excellent film, I’m sure it must be on Amazon or Netflix or one of these modern things and well worth a look.
Yes, I’ll have a look for it, many thanks! Best keep the tissue box handy whilst watching it, methinks! :’-(
Yes it is quite moving!
So very sad. The burden of guilt must have weighed heavy. If he was the father of my child I would never forgive.
He pulled strings to get his son, who could see bugger all into the army. It’s a very sad story but it does make a very good film.
Such a good film but a sad topic. My grgrandfather was with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the First War.
Hard to believe the numbers killed and damaged both physically and mentally. Both my grandfathers and my father took part in WW1 and WW2 and I consider myself very lucky not to have had to take part in any wars.
I was in the US military during the Vietnam War era but thankfully didn’t have to go anywhere near there.
I was the right age to go to Vietnam but luckily Great Britain was not involved.