With thanks to Dave Barlee for sending us this information. Dave says: “I’m doing some research on soldiers in Crouy British Cemetery and came across the story of Private Fred Learn of 52nd Battalion Canadian Infantry and discovered this poem written in his honour by his sister.”
"HE SLEEPS BENEATH THE POPPIES RED”
Written in memory of Fred H. Learn, who died of wounds on 8th August 1918, in France, by his sister, Olive L. Gillespie, 595 Rathgar Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Beneath a bed of poppies red, he sleeps – and knows no pain,
Not the troubled sleep of the fighting ones, where battles are fought in the brain.
No roar of guns, nor flash of fire, can disturb his peaceful rest
For he sleeps in the arms of “Mother Earth”, while she folds him to her breast.
For us ‘tis hard to understand, why life ceased, ‘ere it scarce begun,
And over many a cherished plan, dark clouds covered his sun.
Not now, but perhaps in future years, we’ll sometime understand
Why he was called from life so soon, to answer the “Last Command.”
I would that our tears could atone, for the precious blood he shed,
But the poppies over him will bloom, poppies bright as his blood was red.
He died a hero for Freedom’s cause, and nobly he answered the call,
Like many a one, who has gone before, he was glad to give his all.
And though we grieve in our earthly way, for the one lost for a little while,
It won’t be long ‘ere he welcomes us, with the “Sunshine of his Smile.”
Dave has researched the Learn family:
Frederick Harding Learn was born on 18th October 1889 in Aylmer, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Charles Arthur Learn and his wife, Ella May Learn, nee Fitch, who were married on 19th March 1884 in Yarmouth Township.
Charles was born in Yarmouth about 1871, the son of Charles and Harriet Learn, and was living in Port Stanley at the time of his marriage. He was a fruit grower and market gardener. Ella May Fitch was born in Nova Scotia about 1875, the daughter of Theodore and Lydia Trena Fitch. She was living in Yarmouth at the time of her marriage.
Charles & Ella are found on the 1891 Yarmouth Township census (Div. 1, page 51). They have not been located on the 1901 or 1911 census. They had at least one other child, Olive Pearl, born June 15, 1888 in St. Thomas.
Fred moved to Winnipeg where he is found on the 1911 census, age 21. He was lodging at the Y.M.C.A., and was employed in a jewelry store.
Fred enlisted for service on 19th January 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was living at Ste. 10, Ashland Court, Winnipeg, and was working as an optical stock keeper. He had previously served two years with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles. He lists his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. Ella Mae Learn, of the same address.
Information gathered by the Elgin Military Museum states that Pte. Learn served in the 144th Battalion in Canada, and the 52nd Battalion in France. He was wounded at Amiens.
Fred died on 8th August 1918 at the age of 28. He was serving with the 52nd Battalion of Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). He is buried in Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme, France.
A photo of Fred accompanying the following notice of his death appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 5, 1918:
Pte. Fred H. Learn, son of Charles A. Learn, and grandson of C. O. Learn, of this place, who was killed in action on August 8th, in France. Pte. Learn went to school in Aylmer, but enlisted with a Winnipeg battalion, in which city he was living some two years ago. He has been in France for many months, and has seen some hard fighting. He always wrote a very cheery letter home, and was hoping to return to Canada to be married soon. A letter written but a short time before his death appears in another column of this issue
The above mentioned letter was printed in the same issue of the Aylmer Express:
FRED H. LEARN HOPED TO SOON BE HOME
He was Killed in France, August 8th
The following is the last letter written his father, Charles A. Learn, of this place, before me made the supreme sacrifice. A trench card stated he was well and dated August 7, the day before he died, was received on Tuesday.
Base, France, July 20, 1918
Dear Dad:
Yours of June 5th came a couple of days after I had written my last letter to you. In your letter you refer to doing of which you have read and I have escaped, if you want to call it an escape, but it doesn’t worry us any, and your old saying about the “miss being as good as a mile”. I hear good reports of the excellent crop conditions in your part of the Dominion and know how very busy you must be now, and I wish you all good wishes for a very successful year. Regret to hear of grandfather’s poorly condition and trust he improves because I want him to be well when I get home so we can take a nice walk, and enjoy a cigar, etc. You will have to congratulate Lou Winder for me on his latest move and I trust I will be doing the same as soon as it is possible, and it doesn’t look very far away just now.
It is indeed nice to hear of my old friends and Claude Monteith is still in the old town. Give them my very best regards.
I did have a fine time where I was but am badly bent just now, however, I will recover, but it is a grand place to enjoy one’s self, when the dough is plentiful.
Will be dangling along some of these fine days and you will know I am always with you all in thought, and think of you many times.
Am on guard tonight, so it gives a fellow a little time for writing. It has just gone eleven o’clock and all is quiet and peaceful. I wrote grandfather and grandmother a short while ago, and hope the letter arrived safely. Trust this letter finds all well both in London and Aylmer and in closing, my kindest regards to the old friends and much love to you and all.
Ever your loving son,
Fred H. Learn,
Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme, France.
CORPORAL FRED HARDING LEARN
Service Number: 829442
Canadian Infantry 52nd Bn.
Date of Death 08 August 1918
Age 27 years
Buried or commemorated at
CROUY BRITISH CEMETERY, CROUY-SUR-SOMME France
Grave Reference: V. A. 18.
Preliminary Source: Information supplied by Dave Barlee
Additional information from:
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/71292/fred-harding-learn/
