A Family's Pain
Again with the kind permission of Mrs. Margaret Mercer, we would like to share with you the sense of loss that accompanied the sudden and unexpected death of Private Thomas Mercer. The poem was composed by his cousin, Elizabeth Elliott, shortly after the news of his death reached the family back home.
In Memory of Thomas Mercer
Who Was Killed In Action April 11th, 1916
by Lizzie Elliott - St. John's, Nfld - May 8th, 1916
Thou art gone, but not forgotten
Your dear face we will see no more
'Til we meet you in His presence
Over on that golden shore
For we know that you are happy
With your loved ones over there
But our hearts are nearly breaking
For our soldier boy so dear
Far away in distant Belgium
With no mother to stand by
For to kiss the happy features
Of her dear young soldier boy
When the call came for more soldiers
Willingly you signed your name
But the sad news now has reached us
That you are numbered with the slain
And your mother's heart is breaking
For her boy so young and fair
Who in soldiers' grave is sleeping
Far from home and friends so dear
Oh dear Tom, how sad to lose you
But our loss is heaven's gain
For you are gone to be with Jesus
Singing now the sweet refrain
There will be no call for soldiers
In that happy land on high
Where some day we'll clasp the dear hand
Of our brave young soldier boy
Goodbye Tom, our dearest cousin
It is all that I can do
But while life is still my portion
I will always think of you