FUTILITY BY WILFRED OWEN

Futility

Written after Owen and Sassoon collaborated under the care of Dr Rivers, Futility looked back to Owen's time on The Somme in 1917. Experiences there included leading his platoon into battle and getting trapped for three days in a shell-hole.

Owen returned to light duties In March 1918 and he was posted to the Northern Command Depot at Ripon. It was here that he composed Strange Meeting and Futility as he reflected on his time in France. After returning to the front, Owen led units of the Second Manchesters on 1st October 1918 to storm a number of enemy strong points near the village of Joncourt for which he was decorated. He was killed on 4th November 1918.