This collection of Harvey’s poetry was the first to be published since his death in 1957 and we are now proud to present this new edition.
F W Harvey was a ‘war poet’ who wrote many of his poems from the First World War battlefields and from German prisoner of war camps. His war poetry did not dwell on the horror and carnage of the trenches, but often focussed on the beauty of his native Gloucestershire. It was thoughts of home that gave him courage and hope. Perhaps his best known poem from this time is ‘Ducks’ — ‘From troubles of the world I turn to ducks . . .
After the War and his return to England, he married and settled in the village of Yorkley in the Forest of Dean. Living there for the rest of his life and practising as a solicitor, he continued to write his poetry, always inspired by nature, people, faith, and his beloved Gloucestershire. Many of these works are in this collection including some in Forest of Dean dialect.
‘No poet in this century could have been more local. And yet I believe Gloucestershire folk will honour Will Harvey as long as Gloucester cathedral and the river Severn washes the dark slopes of the Forest of Dean.’ Leonard Clark
‘Some day, it may be centuries hence, the world will discover what a fine poet Will Harvey really is. ’ Brian Waters
‘No county has been blessed with a poet who sang of her with greater love and delight than Gloucestershire was with Harvey.’ Humphrey Phelps
‘He deserves the Laureate of Gloucestershire.’ Cheltenham Chronicle
