LIAM O'MEARA,
Madam, - I would like to say how much I appreciated Wesley Boyd's piece on Francis Ledwidge (An Irishman's Diary, February 12th). Regular readers will be aware of the growing interest in this soldier poet of Co Meath, whose work was, until about a decade ago, virtually forgotten. Indeed, I was present at the opening of the exhibition Anthem For Doomed Youth in London last October and no-one there had heard of him.
The Imperial War Museum is to be commended for its poignant tribute to the 12 men featured and for according Ledwidge, for the first time, the status of war poet, placing him alongside the likes of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke. The exhibition functions on two levels; it honours the brave men who gave their lives in two world wars; it also, serves as a timely reminder of the folly of all war, and especially so at this present time. - Yours etc.,
LIAM O'MEARA, Chairman, The Inchichore Ledwidge Society, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.