20 Century Poets Siegfried Sassoon reads two of his poems, The Dug-Out and Everyone Sang.

In the early 1950's a young man, Dennis Silk, persuaded Sassoon to allow himself to be taped onto what he described as 'The Infernal Machine'.
Silk introduces the readings by Sassoon.
The whole is presented by the former Guardian Literary Editor, Claire Armitstead. I believe she gives Sassoon's birth date incorrectly, stating 1888 instead of 1886! Feel free to comment if you have an opinion on this.

[@Edward1312]

Its great to hear his speaking voice, cant seem to find any radio interviews on UA-cam. If it hadnt been for Sassoon its doubtful if anyone would have ever heard of Owen who IMHO was the greatest war poet in English.

[@arthurolive8749]

Sassoon shunned the limelight but he had a huge influence on Owen. They were both in Craiglockhart hospital in Edinburgh together and Sassoon editied and contributed lines to Owen's work. There is a good fictional account of this in Pat Barker's book Regeneration a film of which is on UA-cam part one ua-cam.com/video/JDKQHsaxSY8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=whatwater and part 2 ua-cam.com/video/-Bf-5oXEnb4/v-deo.html&ab_channel=whatwater

[@ValeyardFan]

Oh this is amazing! Thank you! You should watch Mad Jack (1970) with Michael Jayston playing Siegfried Sassoon and reading his poems, it is on YT, a great performance. He also played Wilfred Owen in Solo (1970) but I can't find that performance anywhere. If you have it, please share.

[@andrewjohnstone963]

Thanks for posting
The ghosts will linger also a while
Like the memory ❤

[@TodayFreedom]

When you hear the vast majority of poets read their own work it’s a disappointing encounter with pomposity and histrionics. WB Yeats (a hero of mine) is a perfect example. Yet this little recording of Sassoon is the first time I’ve genuinely loved hearing an author read his or her work…such a beautiful, sincere voice. I’m surprised at how much it moved me.

[@arthurolive8749]

I think it's his sincerity

[@kerry5586]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@arthurolive8749]

YW I had the voice recording and enjoyed adding the imagery