Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain addressing the British nation, September 3rd, 1939:
 "This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin
 Handed the German Government a final note
 Stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock
 That they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland
 A state of war would exist between us
 I have to tell you that no such undertaking has been received
 And that consequently this country is at war with Germany"

 What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
 Only the monstrous anger of the guns
 Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
 Can patter out their hasty orisons
 No mockeries now for them from prayers or bells
 Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs
 The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells
 And bugles calling for them from sad shires
 Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
 Shall shine the holy glimmers of their goodbyes
 The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall
 Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds
 And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds

 Oh! We, who have known shame, we have found release there
 Where there's no ill, no grief, but sleep has mending
 Naught broken save this body, lost but breath
 Nothing to shake the laughing heart's long peace there
 But only agony, and that has ending
 And the worst friend and enemy is but Death

Neville Chamberlain:
 "You can imagine what a bitter blow it is to me
 That all my long struggle to win peace has failed
 But now that we have resolved to finish it
 I know that you will all play your part
 With calmness and courage"