Retford actor films himself in stunning war poem recitals every day this month

Brandon Dodsworth, 23, delivers the poems in a number of powerful pieces to camera against various backdrops - including woodland and war memorials.

In one moving film he recites Rupert Brooke’s The Soldier in front of a statue at the National Arboretum dedicated to soldiers - some as young as 17 - accused of cowardice and executed by firing squads.

In another Brandon appears in a black suit against a pitch-black background wearing a poppy for Wilfred’s Owen’s famous poem Dulce et Decorum Est.

Brandon, who graduated from Chiswick’s ArtsEd acting school in January with a Masters degree, specialised in WW1 poetry during his undergraduate degree.

His dad, Dean Dodsworth, bursting with pride, told how the young actor - unable to find work during the pandemic - wanted to help the Poppy Appeal using his knowledge of the conflict.

Former RAF man Dean - who served in Northern Ireland, said: “Brandon’s brother is a doctor in the RAF and he has friends in the military.

“He has a lot of respect for what servicemen have done and wanted to try something a bit different.

“I think what he is doing is fantastic - he’s doing incredibly well and puts a breathtaking amount of effort into the project.

“The world’s a hard place for young people at the moment - especially for young actors.”

Speaking about Brandon’s work Dean told how his son had used his in-depth knowledge of the Great War to bring the poems to life.

Dedicated Brandon studied original poems written by soldiers in WW1 from archives - helping him to understand the hellish conditions suffered by those who served.

Dean said one of his favourite poems from the collection - hosted everyday on Brandon’s YouTube channel - was his ironic performance of Jessie Pope’s Who’s For The Game?

Owen’s harrowing Dulce et Decorum Est was written in response to Pope’s patriotic verses - which encouraged young men to enlist.

To make a donation to Brandon’s Poppy Appeal crowdfunding page click HERE.