A POIGNANT poem written by a soldier killed in the First World War has been discovered by his family.

‘The Battle Of The Mons’ was discovered by Margaret Martin, 74, of Waterfoot, when she was studying her family tree.

The author, Private Thomas Brandon, 33, never had a chance to publish his words. He was killed in action on May 13, 1915, whilst serving for the first East Lancashire Regiment in Ypres, Belgium.

Born in Bath Street, Accrington, Private Brandon gave up his labouring job at Alliance Mill, Baxenden, and joined “B” Company, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. He was known as Private 5855 Tom Brandon when he left his home at Ing Farm Cottages, Baxenden, and joined the army aged 29.

But the brave soldier knew his ‘time would come’ and told his story through the patriotic poem: “Not one of us knew when or where we should meet our fate. On right and left, before, behind, death must come soon or late.”

His time in the trenches were tough as he described: “Not only was it living death but also living hell”.

His last verse reads: “And when the war is over and your children ask for stories. Just tell them of the hardships in the Battle of Mons.

“And should they ask for more, to keep the peace in bonds. Just tell how well the British fought on the battlefield at Mons.”

Margaret, who discovered her great uncle’s journey said she cried when she read the poem.

She said: “My cousin came across the ‘tatty piece of paper’ which has turned out to be a fabulous piece of history.

“It was overwhelming to find out that I had a great uncle who was killed in the first world war. It was more overwhelming to discover the poem.”

Private Brandon’s body was never found. He is listed with the 303 other men from the East Lancashire Regiment on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and also on the memorial at St John’s Church, Baxenden.