9 June 2004

Dundee's forgotten war poet remembered

Photo opportunity: 5.30pm, Thursday 10 June 2004, Tower Foyer, University of Dundee

Author, Bob Burrows, will visit the University of Dundee for the launch of his new book 'Fighter Writer' that tells the life of Dundee born artist, poet, journalist, Black Watch soldier and prisoner of war, Sergeant Joseph Lee. Held in the University of Dundee's Tower Foyer this is the first full biography of Scotland’s forgotten war poet, Sergeant Lee who fought in the First World War.

Joseph Lee's poems were published to great acclaim during the war but subsequently his work fell into obscurity. During the First World War he fought with the Black Watch in the trenches, sending back poems and sketches that told vividly of the realities of war. His poems struck a chord with the people of Dundee, and indeed with the whole country, being widely published.

After stumbling across a copy of Lee's 'Ballads of Battle', Bob Burrows became captivated and there began a three year quest to bring back to the foreground the work of Dundee’s poet. Struggling to track down any information on the poet, Burrows eventually found a collection of letters, journals and photographs held at the University of Dundee. From these Bob pieced together the fascinating life story of a modest yet talented man whose work had almost been forgotten.

Members of the public are invited to join the author as well as members of Sergeant Lee's family at the reception on Thursday 10 June at 5.30pm where there will be a brief introduction to the book and a display of Lee’s poems, diaries and sketches.

For further information please contact Press Office on 01382 344021

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk