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Old soldiers and poets

I was reminded of Sven's connections with Veterans of WW2 this week when I gave a talk for the members of the British Legion in Bartley, not very far away from Sven's home at Emery Down in the New Forest. In 1995 Sven had written his own account, for the Normandy Veterans Association, of his feelings on VE Day, when he was discharged 'after a long period in hospital with liver and nerves shattered' and VJ Day, when he dived into the harbour at St. Ives with all his clothes on.


Sven had also renewed his acquaintance with the Duguey family in Flers. They were members of the Resistance and he met them while liberating the town with his commanding officer Harry Mainwearing. After the war it was Mainwearing who found Sven's manuscript for his book I am Lazarus in a barn and returned it to him. At Christmas 1998 Sven received a card from the Duguey family thanking him...'We always remember you since the landing of 1944 and the liberation of our country. Thanks for your courage during the release of Flers.'

Soldier writing by Sven Berlin
Soldier writing by Sven Berlin 1944
The cover of the book I am Lazarus by Sven Berlin
Cover of I am Lazarus by Sven Berlin (1961)

Some of the poetry Sven wrote during the war was used in his book I am Lazarus (1961) but his poem Hill 312, written in September 1944, was reproduced much earlier in Modern Reading No. 12, in 1945.


In addition, his poem Burial Squad - this is the last verse:

'Grave young men

Say no prayer

Lift them up gently

Bury them there'


was reproduced in a publication for the Salamander Oasis Trust in 1989 and later in 2000, in a limited edition with other poems from I am Lazarus, as a tribute publication by a friend, Malcolm Mackintosh. Sven was also in touch with Melville Hardiment whose own book of poems Remembering the Huns was published in 1993.

 
 
 

1 Comment


Fascinating post, thank you. I have recited Sven's poetry from "I am Lazarus" at recent public events to commemorate D-Day and VE anniversary and they were very well received. I firmly believe that Sven's art and verse can connect with just about everybody and would love to see more people know of and enjoy him.

Wimborne beacon ignited for the D-Day 80th commemerations
Wimborne beacon ignited for the D-Day 80th commemerations

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