Waste

Waste of Muscle, waste of Brain, Waste of Patience, waste of Pain, Waste of Manhood, waste of Health, Waste of Beauty, waste of Wealth, Waste of Blood, and waste of Tears, Waste of Youth’s most precious years, Waste of ways the Saints have trod, Waste of Glory, waste of God,—             War!
G. A. Studdert Kennedy



Kennedy was an English Anglican priest and poet. He was nicknamed “Woodbine Willie” during World War I for giving Woodbine cigarettes to the soldiers he met, as well as spiritual aid to injured and dying soldiers.



Studdert Kennedy was awarded the Military Cross (MC) during World War I. His citation read:




For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest courage and disregard for his own safety in attending to the wounded under heavy fire. He searched shell holes for our own and enemy wounded, assisting them to the dressing station, and his cheerfulness and endurance had a splendid effect upon all ranks in the front line trenches, which he constantly visited.