In response to an overwhelming avalanche of requests (Thanks Annon & Lois - or whoever) here is the latest published pome.

Echoes of my Father

Fragments of a time of life long past
Hints of what was and hearts so brave
Young eager faces, bright and keen
All now dust and to us lost
Wavering images of honest bravery

I lost my father well before I thought
How much I wanted to know
About his story and the part
He played in serving Britain’s need
At Gallipoli, before his wound

Browning photos in a box at last
Discovered spur me on to save
His memory. Oh had I been
Told of duty at what cost
Of men who fought against sheer knavery

A faded paper foretells how they fought
Facing death at dice’s throw
The smart cloth and bright buttons’ art
Picture them brave before they feed
War’s mill, life’s dreams lost in savage sound

My Father pictured on his favourite horse
I know his Army number but
A war beyond the one to end all war
Destroyed his records and stole from me
His story. Fragments left fuel my remembrance