plaque · Edinburgh
Siegfried Sassoon
This plaque commemorates a significant meeting of three Great War poets: Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and Robert Graves. It marks the location where they gathered on 13th October 1917 at Baberton Golf Club in Juniper Green, Edinburgh. The plaque itself was unveiled a century later by local dignitaries and residents, serving as a remembrance of that historic meeting and honouring those who fell during the First World War. Siegfried Sassoon, a decorated soldier and prominent war poet, was known for his vivid descriptions of trench warfare and his critique of the patriotic fervour surrounding the conflict, making this site particularly resonant for students of his work and that of his contemporaries.
The memorial dates from an era profoundly shaped by the First World War, a global conflict that redefined modern warfare and had a devastating human cost. This war, known at the time as the Great War, saw the introduction of new, highly destructive weaponry and resulted in millions of casualties. The poetry produced during this period, particularly by figures such as Sassoon and Owen, captured the brutal realities of the Western Front and offered a powerful counter-narrative to the initial jingoism. The meeting commemorated by this plaque took place when such poets were becoming critical voices against the war's continuation, making this site a focal point for understanding the cultural and social impact of the conflict.
The plaque is located at 55 Baberton Avenue in Edinburgh, specifically at the Baberton Golf Club in Juniper Green. Visitors can find it situated at the site of the historic meeting between the three prominent war poets. The memorial is accessible to the public, offering an opportunity for quiet reflection on the literary legacy and human cost of the First World War. Respectful conduct is encouraged when visiting this site, which honours both significant literary figures and the memory of those lost in the conflict.
Inscription
“My subject is war, and the pity of war. The poetry is in the pity. On 13th October 1917 three poets of the Great War met at Baberton Golf Club, Juniper Green Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves This plaque was unveiled 100 years later by the Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Frank Ross, local historian Neil McLennan and local residents in remembrance of that meeting and the fallen of World War One 1914-1918 Plaque kindly donated by Specialized Signs, Edinburgh”
Background
Siegfried Sassoon is remembered as a defining voice of the First World War, known for his powerful poetry and distinctive prose. Awarded for courage during service on the Western Front, he emerged as a prominent poet whose work captured the brutal realities of trench warfare. His writing also offered sharp criticism of the patriotic fervour that he felt fuelled the conflict.
Sassoon became a prominent figure for opposition within the military after issuing a solitary declaration against the war's continuation. This led to his admission to Craiglockhart War Hospital, where he developed a significant friendship with fellow poet Wilfred Owen. Beyond his verse, Sassoon later achieved recognition for his autobiographical writings, including the acclaimed Sherston trilogy.
Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.
Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.