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Competition
LEST WE FORGET

Write a poem to honour our fallen heroes from World War I and have it read out by Prince William — plus win £2,000

The competition will mark the opening of the £300m Defence and ­National Rehabilitation Centre for injured servicemen and women

PRINCE William is calling on Sun readers to pen a poetic tribute to the casualties of our armed conflicts over the past century.

The competition, A Poem To Remember, will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, plus the opening of the new £300million Defence and ­National Rehabilitation Centre for injured servicemen and women.

 Pay tribute to the fallen World War 1 heroes with a poem to mark the centenary
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Pay tribute to the fallen World War 1 heroes with a poem to mark the centenaryCredit: Hulton Archive - Getty
 Prince William and RAF veteran Luke Wigam
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Prince William and RAF veteran Luke WigamCredit: AP:Associated Press

The winner will receive £2,000 and be present when Prince ­William reads their poem at the opening of the centre.

The Prince said: “The centenary year of the end of the First World War is a very appropriate year to be launching a national poetry prize.

"Many of the memories of that conflict, and our understanding of it, have been shaped by the remarkable poetry ­written by those caught up in that struggle.

“As Patron of the appeal to build the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre, I’m delighted to help launch this competition to find a new poem that, inspired by those earlier works, will have its own modern-day perspective on service, conflict and humankind’s ability to overcome adversity.

How to enter

Email: A Word or PDF attachment to [email protected]Post: A Poem To Remember, PO Box 74616, London SW6 9LB
Online:

 Mark the centenary of World War 1 with a special tribute
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Mark the centenary of World War 1 with a special tributeCredit: PA:Press Association
 Troops march through the trenches in World War 1
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Troops march through the trenches in World War 1Credit: PA:Press Association

"I greatly look forward to reading the winning entry.”

The contest is not just about commemorating the fallen.

 Dan Snow, left, says: 'We want readers to express how they feel about beating the odds, service and sacrifice'
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Dan Snow, left, says: 'We want readers to express how they feel about beating the odds, service and sacrifice'Credit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
 Old Headley Court unit will be replaced by a new £300million Defence and ­National Rehabilitation Centre
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Old Headley Court unit will be replaced by a new £300million Defence and ­National Rehabilitation CentreCredit: Dwayne Senior - The Sunday Times  
 Andy McNab says: 'This is for everyone, whether you have written a poem before, or never given it a thought'
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Andy McNab says: 'This is for everyone, whether you have written a poem before, or never given it a thought'Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

Your poem could commemorate those who fought in wars since, or have given in some way for their ­country, whether a soldier in Afghanistan, fireman at Grenfell Tower or A&E nurse saving lives.

A team of literary experts and journalists will review the entries and make a longlist of 25 poems.

How to enter

Email: A Word or PDF attachment to [email protected]
Post: A Poem To Remember, PO Box 74616, London SW6 9LB
Online:

PM Theresa May pays tribute to the brave armed forces at The Sun Military Awards

Then a celebrity judging panel including TV historian Dan Snow and SAS legend Andy McNab will choose five finalists.

The winning poem will be chosen by public vote and will be read by Prince William at the opening of the Rehabilitation Centre, on the Stanford Hall estate in Nottinghamshire, later this year.

The poem will also be engraved on a plaque at the site, which will replace the outdated current rehab centre, Headley Court in Surrey.

Terms and conditions

Competition open to anybody aged 17 and over and free to enter.

Deadline for entries is 11.59pm on Monday, April 9, 2018.

Previously unpublished poems only and no longer than 25 lines.

The winner receives a £2,000 cash prize.

Four runners-up get £500.

Full details and T&Cs at .

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