Patrick MacGill
Patrick MacGill
Patrick MacGillwas an Irish journalist, poet and novelist, known as "The Navvy Poet" because he had worked as a navvy before he began writing...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionJournalist
CountryIreland
across catching conversation float
I have come to like the place and do most of my writing there, catching snatches of conversation and reminiscence as they float across to me.
discover exertion might minimum soldiers step work
The step once taken, however, we all set to work to discover how we might become soldiers with a minimum of exertion and inconvenience to ourselves.
caste common engaged estate full rewarded seem similar
Caste and estate seem to have been forgotten; all are engaged in a common business, full of similar risks, and rewarded by a similar wage.
ancient bounds cathedral lads learn limits town
One of the first things we had to learn was that our ancient cathedral town has its bounds and limits for the legions of the lads in khaki.
home sight bird
A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway, and followed our merry pipers home to town.
believe exercise games
Divisional exercise is a great game of make-believe.
party provision sympathetic
Even the distribution of rations leaves much to be desired; the fatigue party, well-intentioned and sympathetic though it be, often finds itself short of provisions.
sweet wine journey
There comes a moment on a journey when something sweet, something irresistible and charming as wine raised to thirsty lips, wells up in the traveller's being.
song
Every battalion has its marching songs.
cutting perfect attention
Save for minor ailments and accident, my battalion is practically immune from sickness; colds come and go as a matter of course, sprains and cuts claim momentary attention, but otherwise the health of the battalion is perfect.
soldier meals afternoon
The soldiers' last meal is generally served out about five o'clock in the afternoon, sometimes earlier; and a stretch of fourteen hours intervenes between then and breakfast.
night goal monsters
Marching thus at night, a battalion is doubly impressive. The silent monster is full of restrained power; resolute in its onward sweep, impervious to danger, it looks a menacing engine of destruction, steady to its goal, and certain of its mission.
men done enlisting
Few men could explain why they enlisted, and if they attempted they might only prove that they had done as a politician said the electorate does, the right thing from the wrong motive.
military war army
I am one of the million or more male residents of the United Kingdom, who a year ago had no special yearning towards military life, but who joined the army after war was declared.