Tommy

They didn’t set out to be heroes

As they cheerfully said goodbye.

They were singing and marching in unison

In stout hearts their spirits were high.

Leaving family, home and all that was familiar.

Determined to fight for their King and country.

No price was too high. They were willing to pay.

Those left behind deserved to be free.

Troop ships landed on foreign shores

No brass bands playing the national anthem.

Just a gun, a tin hat and a small kit bag

And premonition of being held to ransom.

Those trenches were hell with mud and rain

Oozing through khaki uniforms, no respite from cold.

Commands passed along midst the noisy confusion

And Tommy tried hard to be brave and bold.

Shoulder to shoulder men stood resolute and firm.

As one soldier dropped another took his place.

In his heart Tommy wept fearing he would be next

But that fear never showed on his face.

Now his body lies in an unmarked grave

Tommy never returned to the land of his birth.

He willingly gave all, King and country to save.

Now lest we forget, scarlet tears warm the earth.