I have been given the copy of a poem composed by a man who was a frequent visitor to Bishop Burton in 1939. He was Sub Lt. Peter Collingwood who was friendly with Doreen Young, the daughter of James Young the estates agent who lived in Woodridge House.
In April 1940 Peter was serving on board the anti-aircraft light cruiser H.M.S. Carlisle which, at that time was trying to give protection to the jetty at Namsos in
When death comes slinking through the sea
And shrieking from the skies
And men can scarcely draw their breath
When panic stricken eyes
Gaze fearful, wondering at the hell
Created by a bursting shell.
Then God I pray that I may show
No fear, so that to the men who in me trust
May not from traitor members know
My limbs are as liquid and my heart is dust.
This unfinished poem was returned with his personal effects that included another poem, too long to quote, except for one verse
There’s terror in the dark grey wave,
And terror in the dark grey cloud,
A sea grave is the deepest grave,
And none return, or strong or brave,
Wrapped in the salted shroud.
He died of wounds received during a later attack and was buried at sea off the Norwegian coast. There is no doubt that he was a very gifted poet.