The United Front

By: Alfred Noyes

Narrated by: Phillip J. Mather

The narrator pledges to donate 50% of his proceeds to The Royal British Legion Poppy Day Appeal - please support. "The United Front", by Alfred Noyes [1880-1958], was published in Poems of the Great War, in 1914, on behalf of The Prince of Wales' national relief fund. Unable to join the fighting forces due to defective eyesight, Noyes worked on propaganda and by wrote morale-boosting short stories.

Public Domain (P)2014 Phillip J Mather

A Rallying Cry For Justice, Truth, and Peace

What did you love best about The United Front?

At first glance (or listen) it seems more of a rallying speech than a poem, but the irregular rhyming sequence lends it a distinct poetic cadence. This poem exemplifies the spirit of England's fighting men as they marched to war. They fought not just for country but also for justice and peace. They felt outraged by the Germans, as if the latter's attack across Belgium was a betrayal of values, not just a fight for land.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The United Front?

The narration was great. I felt that the narrator caught the rhythm of the poem perfectly. I imagine that such a reading for have stirred the heart of those men who went to battle one hundred years ago.

What about Phillip J. Mather’s performance did you like?

The depth of his voice, the emphasis he gives certain words, it seemed well-placed to me.

Who was the most memorable character of The United Front and why?

There are no characters in this poem. It is simply all memorable.