First World War Poet's Lost Words Reach New Audience
The lost words of Nowell Oxland, a poet who fell during the First World War, are being introduced to a wider audience through a newly published book titled Chasing the Phantom. This work highlights Oxland's life and poetry, preserving the legacy of a poet who died at Gallipoli in 1915.
About the Book
Chasing the Phantom: the lost words of war poet Nowell Oxland was written by Cumbrian author Zoe Gilbert and military historian Stephen Cooper. It delves into Oxland’s early years, his time at Oxford University, and his military service in the Border Regiment. The book also presents his previously unpublished poems and stories.
Insights from Zoe Gilbert
"Oxland’s inspiration was predominantly Cumberland. His work is deeply rooted in place and ranges from the darkly gothic and supernatural to the comic. It has been a moving project charting the journey of Nowell and Amy’s connections to Alston Moor, Newcastle and the Lake District, and the mystery of what happened to his lost work."
Gilbert came across Oxland’s writings during a museum research project aimed at highlighting voices from Cumberland for the centenary of the First World War's end.
Legacy of Nowell Oxland
- Died at Gallipoli in 1915, shortly before one of his poems was anonymously published in The Times.
- His poetry reflects a strong connection to his homeland, blending gothic, supernatural, and comic elements.
- The book sheds light on his life, military service, and the fate of his lost works.
Author's summary: The book Chasing the Phantom revives Nowell Oxland's forgotten wartime poetry, illuminating his life and Cumberland roots through unpublished works and moving historical research.