Poem for ‘the lads’
Lads are marching in front of a banner for the King's shilling?
the lads have left the village and the girls do all they can
They remember well the parting when each said “I’ll be a man”
I can hear the bugles calling, it haunts me day and night
“I’ll go besides my comrades, I’ll join them in the fight”.
“I know the parting grieves you, it grieves me just the same
But I’d rather die beside my pal than linger here in shame.
My chums are falling one by one, the strains’ too hard to bear
I’ll go and march beside them and of the fighting take my share”.
Young Herbert Barks was first to go, he was the first to fall
He did not hesitate a mo’ to answer duty’s call.
And Mannie, he’s a Briton true, just fancy, one to one
Why it wouldn’t take him half a tick to strafe a blooming Hun.
And Carlysle, though a keeper of the peace and wearing blue
Said, “I’ll change my garb again and I’ll wear Khaki too”
And Billy Wooton said “I’ve served my King and Queen before
And to show that I’m a Briton true, I’ll go and serve once more”.
George Groves said “I intend to fight, I’ll make the blighters dance
I’ll go and fight in Belgium, Salonica or France”.
George Bailey went, for he was bent on joining in the fight
But failed to pass the final test all through defective sight.
Bill Staniland joined up and fought through many a bloody battle,
But Billy doesn’t say a deal, he ain’t a lot of rattle.
Alf Fletcher said “Why Bill old pal, don’t think I’m staying here
No, no we’ll bang off side by side, no Germans do I fear”.
If you mentioned Hun to Sago, it would nearly drive him wild
Said he “ The dogs don’t ought to live, who slay a little child.
Bill Bradwell said “You’re right old boy, I’ll not stay here alone
I think against such dirty hogs we two can hold our own.
Jim Cartwright left a happy home let none this lad condemn
He’s proved himself a hero brave and won the DCM.
Will Blewitt went and he was sent to France with other batches
And he, while serving under French was mentioned in despatches.
To Tommy Ling let’s credit give, this lad he didn’t linger
He went and helped to strafe the Huns through minus of a finger.
And Jimmy Turne said “I’m off, though I know it’s not all roses
But when I get amongst the swine, there’ll be some broken noses”.
When Ernest Blewitt went he said “I fear no shell or bomb”
But sad to state he met his fate and now lies on the Somme.
And Billy Penn said “I’ll go too, along with my pal Ern
I’d love to battle by his side and with him take my turn”.
Young Bailey said “Though young and strong I never courted strife
I love my King and country and for them I’d stake my life”.
And inoffensive Ian Hague was as willing as the rest
Said he “I’m not a hefty chap but I’ll go and do my best”.
Fred Mortimer though very young was no less true and brave
He fought and bled and died and now lies in a hero’s grave.
Bruce Radford is another lad that couldn’t stay away
He’s seen some heavy fighting since he entered in the fray.
Ted Scrimshaw is a steady chap, he considered well his plan
And then at last resolved to go and prove himself a man.
There’s brave old General Ginger Dunn who holloa’d Fish Alive
When he comes hawking fish again, oh won’t the people thrive.
There’s Joby, always blithe and gay, as happy as a lark
He said “I’ll go and help to bite and not stay here to bark.
Another Godfrey’s gone as well, his Christian name is Bruce
This lad will fight like fury, he’ll not hoist the flag of truce.
l Due to limited space, it is unfortunate that we are not able to print this poem in it’s entirety.
We will however, be publishing the second half next week.
The poem was composed by William Hampson, of Waleswood and has been kindly sent by Mr Barry Fairbrother of Louth in Lincolnshire.
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Weather for Dinnington
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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