Sir, - Now that a memorial is to be erected in Belgium in honour of the Irishmen who fell in the first World War, would it not be fitting for some words of Francis Ledwidge to replace those of Rupert Brooke in the memorial gardens at Islandbridge. As anyone who reads the life of Ledwidge can see this man brought together the many strains of Irishness which were prevalent in his times.
The particular blend of Ledwidge's nationalism, patriotism and socialism expressed in some suitable lines would seem to be more fitting than lines from Rupert Brooke, who was very much an Englishman.
I am sure in the writings of Ireland's own war poet there are some lines which would be fitting for Islandbridge. - Yours, etc.,
From Ernest F. Crossen
Chapelizod, Dublin 20.