Walter Lyon (poet) facts for kids

Walter Scott Stuart Lyon (born in North Berwick) was a war poet who lived from October 1, 1886, to May 8, 1915. He wrote poems during the First World War, a huge global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918.

Walter was one of five brothers. His parents were Walter F. K. and Isabella R. Lyon, who lived in Tantallon Lodge, North Berwick, Scotland. Sadly, three of his brothers died during the war. Another brother passed away while he was a student.

Early Life and Education

Walter Lyon attended Balliol College, Oxford, a famous university in England. After his studies, he started a career as a Scottish Advocate. This means he was a type of lawyer in Scotland who could represent people in court.

Serving in the War

Before the First World War began, Walter volunteered to join the army. He became a lieutenant in the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots. In February 1915, he was sent to Belgium. He served in the trenches near Glencose Wood, close to a town called Ypres. Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived and fought.

Poems from the Front Line

While serving in the war, Walter Lyon wrote several poems. Soon after arriving in Belgium, he wrote "Easter at Ypres" and "Lines Written in a Fire Trench." A few weeks later, during the very intense Second Battle of Ypres, he wrote two more poems. These were "On a Grave in a Trench" and "I Tracked a Dead Man Down a Trench." He wrote on one of his poems, "English killed for Patrie," which means "English killed for their homeland."

His Final Days

In early May 1915, Walter Lyon and his fellow soldiers were in dugouts. These were shelters dug into the ground in Potijze Wood, near the Menin Road. They were very close to the front line, only about 200 yards away. The fighting was incredibly fierce. Shells exploded constantly, tearing up trees and sending sharp pieces of metal, called shrapnel, flying. Many soldiers were wounded. Walter Lyon was among those who died during this intense period.

A Lasting Memorial

Walter Lyon has no known grave, meaning his body was never found or identified. However, his name is honored on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. This large memorial lists the names of thousands of soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. Walter's name can be found on panel 11 of the memorial.

Legacy of His Poetry

After his death, a collection of Walter Lyon's poems was published in 1916. Two of his poems were also included in a book called "A Deep Cry." This book, published in 1993, is an anthology of war poetry written by students from public schools. His poems help us understand what life was like for soldiers during the First World War.