Henry Fane Dalrymple Sewell

The second son of Col. Henry Fane Haylett Sewell and Violetta, Henry Fane Dalrymple Sewell was born in Madras (Chennai) 17th May 1862. In 1881 he was a bank clerk living at Llanduff, Glamorgan. He later moved to Canada.

In 1898 he is listed on the Voter's List as a bank clerk living in the 600 block of Burrard Street. He became known as a Poet and writer with his book The King, Canada and Empire published in 1910. His most notable poem was "The Call to Arms", a commentary on the First World War. He married Margaret Amelia Freer on 14th July 1894 in Vancouver. Amelia was the daughter of Cortland Freer. Henry died 5th October 1944.

A Call to Arms

Loud the tocsin sounds through Britain,
Stirring men to fall in line
Echoing over hills and valleys,
Penetrating inmost shrine,
Where the son of lonely mother
Hesitates, is torn in twain;
But the woman’s heart is strengthened-
“ Go, my son; your duty’s plain.”

Strong the men, but braver women-
Born to suffer greater pain-
Cheerfully self-sacrificing,
By their faith the men sustain.
Sons, their bright eyes gleaming bravely,
Follow drums with iron zeal,
And their hearts too full to measure
What they ask, or think, or feel.

All they know ‘tis Britain calling-
“ For the best afloat, ashore,
To uphold the flag of freedom
Flying at the open door.”

Listen to the drums of England
Heed the pipes o’ the North,
Harken to the harps of Erin,
Rally men of British Birth.

Fane Sewell
Toronto, October 15, 1914.

Originally published in Canada; An Illustrated Weekly Journal, 5 December 1914