“Is there anybody there?” Those famous words penned by Walter de la Mare might echo in your mind as we stand before this plaque. It commemorates the place where the poet and writer Walter de la Mare lived from 1940 to 1956.
Walter de la Mare was born in Charlton in 1873. He became a celebrated voice in English literature. Though he was a town person he captured nature’s beauty in his words.
De la Mare’s early life wasn’t solely dedicated to poetry. For 18 years, he worked at the Standard Oil company. He worked there to support his family. Despite the demands of his job, he wrote in his spare time. Even during his lunch breaks, he would work on poems and stories.
He wrote under the name Walter Ramal. His first story was called “Kismet”. He embraced the image of a poet. He had long hair and wore a flowing tie and a broad hat.
Family was very important to Walter de la Mare. Every night, he would bring a new poem to his children. It was as natural to him as drinking water.
In 1908, his writing earned him a government pension. This allowed him to pursue writing full time. His work included prose and works about the supernatural. He won the James Tait Black prize in 1922. He won it for his novel “Memoirs of a Midget”. He also wrote books for children including “The Three Mulla-Mulgars”.
De la Mare lived in the Penge area for 25 years. He lived at 14 Thornsett Road in Anerley and 195 Mackenzie Road, Beckenham. His home at 14 Thornsett Road became a literary hub. Many famous writers visited him there. Siegfried Sassoon and Rupert Brooke were among his friends.
His most famous works include “The Listeners”. He also wrote “Peacock Pie” and “Memoirs of a Midget”. His ghost stories are still admired today. H.P. Lovecraft, a horror writer, was a big admirer.
T.S. Eliot admired de la Mare. He praised the poet’s mastery of sound. Walter de la Mare refused a knighthood twice. Yet he accepted the Order of Merit and the Companion of Honour. He is the only person besides Winston Churchill to do so.
Many remember learning Walter de la Mare’s poems in school. “Silver” and “The Listeners” remain milestones in childhood memories.
Walter de la Mare died in 1956. He is buried in St Paul’s Cathedral. This Walter de la Mare Plaque serves as a reminder of his life. It celebrates his contribution to literature. Take a moment to reflect on the power of words. Think about the magic he brought to the world.