Edward Thomas – War Poet?

To what extent can Edward Thomas be considered as a war poet?

Poems to read:

As the Team’s Head Brass    /    The Sun Used to Shine    /    In Memoriam    /    This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong    /    Bright Clouds    /    Digging    /    A Private

As the Team’s Head Brass

‘His powers of observation, with an ear attuned to conversational vitality, seemed to lead him directly to interpret reactions to the wider issues of war and patriotism.’ Edward Thomas: A Portrait, by R. George Thomas, p.252

In Memoriam

See ‘Now All Roads Lead to France, by Matthew Hollis, p. 221.

 This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong

‘Edward’s first poem in 1916 is the complete expression of his feelings about the war. For love of the dust of his country he cried “God save England!” in 1915, as in 1415 he might have cried it at Agincourt. His hate-feelings were reserved for the Jingo Press and those who used its jargon in argument’. ‘Edward Thomas, the Last Four Years’, by Eleanor Farjeon, p.180

What was he fighting for? asked Eleanor Farjeon

‘He stopped, and picked up a pinch of earth. “Literally, for this.” He crumbled it between finger and thumb, and let it fall.’ Eleanor Farjeon, p. 154.