This following poem was written by Margaret Louisa Foulds Johnston (1860-1964), a member of an early city family.
Johnston was the mother of Gunner Gilbert Sutherland Johnston, who served in the First World War with the 63rd Battery Canadian Field Artillery.
The 63rd was raised from towns all across Southwestern Ontario, and took part in the allied ‘100 Days’ offensive, the final push that drove the Germans out of France and ended the war.
Her son survived, but like many mothers, Margaret Johnston was so certain Gilbert would perish that she gave away all of his clothes and worldly belongings.
Who Paid the Price?
I paid the price said Belgium
I held the gates through shot and shell
Through all the fires of hell
My little band of men
Kept back the horde
That over the border poured
‘Til France’s cry “I come”!
I paid the price said Belgium.
I paid the price said France
I paid bravest men
Old men, young men, – and then
Youths – all that I had:
Peace can but give
Shadows that live
On the walls of Romance
I paid the price said France.
We paid the price said John
We paid with all the strength
Of Britain’s ships – and length
Of Britain’s arm
At the first alarm
We paid the price said John
We paid – still pay on and on.
I paid the price said Uncle Sam
I sent munitions, when
They were most needed, then
“Over there, over there”
Sang the air
That heartened every one –
We won everything in sight
My boys know how to fight
And oh! How proud I am
I paid the price said Uncle Sam.
************
They silent lie
Who won the war, ‘neath wave and sod.
Nor you, nor I
Know how they paid, but only God.
– Margaret Louisa Foulds Johnston, Sarnia, Canada