"For England"Print Page

The plaque commemorates the poem "For England" which was written by J.D. Burns who was killed in action at Gallipoli in 1915. The plaque was funded through the Anzac Centenary Grants Program.

Corporal James Drummond Burns, 21st Battalion AIF, died aged nineteen on 18th September 1915 having already achieved fame for his poem 'For England'. He is buried in Shrapnel Valley, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. Burns was Vice-Captain of Scotch College in 1914 and was editor of the magazine "Collegian". Scotch College's most prestigious literary prize bears his name. In the early 1950s, sixth-grade children in Victorian state schools read the poem ‘For England’ in their school Reader. "For England" was originally published in Scotch Collegian (Melbourne), Vol. 12, No 1, May. 1915.

The bugles of England were blowing o'er the sea
As the had called a thousand years, calling now to me
They woke me from dreaming in the dawning of the day
The bugles of England and how could I stay?

The banners of England, unfurled across the sea
Floating out upon the wind, were beckoning to me
Storm-rent and battle-torn, smoke-stained and grey
The banners of England and how could I stay?

O England! I heard the cry of those that died for thee
Sounding like an organ voice across the winter sea
They lived and died for England and gladly went their way
England! O England! How could I stay?

Note : The Lilydale Uniting Church was sold in 2014 to Melba Support Services who plan to retain the church for use by parishioners.

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