Wilfred
Owen
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) was perhaps the
finest English poet of the First World War. He served on the Somme
before being
sent home in 1917 suffering from shell-shock.
After a period of
convalescence in Scotland, he returned to light regimental
duties. In March 1918, he was posted to the Northern
Command Depot at Ripon. A number of poems were composed
in Ripon, including 'Futility' and 'Strange
Meeting'. His 25th
birthday was spent quietly in the Cathedral.
Owen rejoined
his
battalion at Amiens in September 1918, and was immediately
awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He was killed in
the
early morning of 4 November, during the last week of the
war.
