Louis Arthur Klemantaski, 2nd Lt.

Louis Arthur Klemantaski (1891-1916), 2nd Lieut., 8th (Service) Battn., Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regt.), was the eldest son of Sidney Klemantaski and his wife Lizzie nee Phillips of Hampstead, London. His sister, Alida, was the second wife of Harold Monro (1879-1932), also a poet and owner of the "Poetry Bookshop", 38 Great Russell Street, London.

He was educated at the University College School and had before him a brilliant literary career, editing a musical quarterly entitled 'Euterpe', at the age of only 18; he represented England at the Ghent Musical Conference in 1913, when he was made vice-president, being also Librarian to the Quill Club, and wrote some wonderful verses in the paper he called the "Regiment"; volunteered for foreign service, and joined the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regt.) in September 1914, after the outbreak of war. He obtained a commission in the Berkshire Regt. on 19th November following; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from October 1915, and was killed in action near Bully on 27th May, 1916, during an air raid at night, when out wiring with his men. Buried at Bully.

His Colonel wrote: "He died most gallantly. At the time the raid started he was out in charge of a party of men wiring in front of our trenches, and by his gallant defence undoubtedly greatly helped to stop the rush and drive the Germans back. We were all very fond of him, officers and men, and feel his loss as a friend, as well as a very gallant soldier." and the C.E. Chaplain: "He was a fine cultured man. Everyone who knew him well loved him. I can assure you that he will be sadly missed. It is typical of him that he should have made the stand he did against impossible odds, and that if any of his party were to be cut off he should be with them. It is men like this whose example stiffens the backs of our men, and enables them to win through when they are in a tight corner." The Adjutant also wrote: "His cheery nature and wonderful kindness, which was ever the same to all, won him the affection of both officers and men, and all are greatly grieved at his death."

When the war broke out he was compiling a "Musical Dictionary," with the help of Monsieur De Trennent, and was himself finishing the compiling of a "Modern Dictionary" of all the quaint words of all countries. He married at Wareham Registry Office near Bournemouth on 7th October 1915, Phyllis, only daughter of the late Charles Powell, of London, and Georgina Meriton Woodward, nee Wastell.

Corporal P Holmes, a native of Skipton, was a member of the wiring party and he stayed with 2nd Lt. Klemantaski after the latter was wounded. He subsequently brought in his officer's body and twice went out for others. For this, he was awarded the Military Medal. Cpl. Holmes' mother later received from the officer's widow a watch inscribed: "LA Klemantaski, Second Lieutenant Royal Berkshire Regiment, May 27th 1916, to Corporal P Holmes in grateful recognition of a brave deed".

2nd Lieutenant Klemantaski, who was mentioned in dispatches, is buried in the Bully Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension.

Louis' beloved widow Phyllis succumbed to consumption and followed him to an early grave on 10th March 1917.

Louis' poetry contains some excellent works and is very moving. Here is one of his poems to remember him by:

All, all are gone, the old familiar faces

And those I loved the best are passed away

Not garnered by slow time, but in a day

Of hideous carnage, reft from friends and places

Dear by lust of blood unsatiably mean

A dear P...... shall I forget your smile

Your glinting eyes, your noble Art and Style

Nor you, large hearted H...... of prowess keen

In field and trench, S...... with whom a year

I gladly shared a room: W..... with whom

I've bathed and walked: your brilliant S..... the bloom

Of Greece and sunny, B..... devoid of fear

All these are gone who, for the world, have done

Not less become rich fruit destroyed by Hun.

L.A. Klemantaski

Sister Elizabeth Klemantaski was marooned in Belgium during WWI and suffered from malnutrition which contributed to her early death, aged only 27, on 30th September 1922 in Halle, Flanders. Brother Godfrey, who served in the navy but died aged only 29 on 10th June 1930. Benjamin (1894-1951), who also served in the forces, passed away in 1951 aged 57. Alida died on 31st July 1969 at Chichester. Their father Sidney Klemantaski died on 30th December 1913 at Christchurch, Dorset, and was thus spared the awful losses and sorrow to follow. None of the siblings left issue; their grieving mother Lizzie who died on 22nd April 1935 was thus outlived by only two of her five children and this branch of the once genial, flourishing, happy, enterprising, creative, artistic and musical family now lives on only in the memories passed down to us and in the few photographic images that remain, and of course in the poetry.

This tribute was written by the soldier poet's first cousin's grandson, Roderick Hinkel, on 26th August 2014, at a time when we are all remembering the Fallen of the Great War, 100 years ago.

http://www.geni.com/projects/War-Poets/18763

KLEMANTASKI, LOUIS ARTHUR

• Rank: Second Lieutenant
• Date of Death: 27/05/1916
• Age: 24
• Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment 8th Bn.
• Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
• Grave Reference: I. A. 15.
• Cemetery: BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION
• Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Klemantaski of 2, Tanza Rd., Hampstead, London. Native of London. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/30220/KLEMANTASKI,%20LOU...