Meg's poetic link to Titanic tragedy
As the family of Meg Pybus rooted about in her grandparents' attic, they came across sheet music, children's stories, lullabies, and poems.
And one of those poems has special topical resonance with the opening in July of a new exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery telling the story of the Titanic.
That poem was called "Alas! That Gallant Band" and was written by Harry Williams, the brother of Meg's grandfather, and commemorates the 1912 tragedy.
"'Twas a wonderful creation, That mighty modern ship; And, thousands went to see her, Start on her maiden trip," it begins.
"There in all her splendour, The officers on deck, Who would have thought to see her, How soon she'd be a wreck?"
Running to 14 verses it ends with: "Down! Down! she went to rest, Down to the depths unknown, 'GOD'S WILL BE DONE,' the mighty deep, Has claimed her for its own."
Meg, who lives near Craven Arms, remembers growing up with the strange sad portrait of a man in a wheelchair gazing down on them.
That man, her great uncle Harry, received an acknowledgement from the King for his Titanic poem, which was written as a tribute to the members of the ship's band who had sacrificed their lives.
But Harry's real claim to fame was as being the co-composer of the world famous song "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" which became an anthem for the soldiers of the Great War.
"We grew up with Tipperary," she said.
"Harry lived on in the soul of his brother Benjamin Williams, who was our dear grandfather, and 7 Station Road, Hampton-in-Arden, where our grandparents lived after their retirement was a lively and atmospheric place for the young cousins to visit."
Although Harry had long been dead, extrovert Benjamin brought him back to life musically.
"My brother and I were entertained by the wind up gramophone. Along with the Laughing Policeman, the Laughing Clarinet and Frank Crumit’s lost golf ball which went rolling down the hill, It’s A Long, Long Way To Tipperary was part of our musical diet."
Meg added: "I am a proud descendant of Harry Williams and feel a little bit of his spirit passed on to me. Sadly, the musical talent was not one of these precious gifts."
