The Thunder of the Guns
Like the storm that's in the making
When the rumbling thunder runs
And the hills and valleys tremble:
That's THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS.
When the aiming posts are planted
And the firing order comes,
Then the layers work their magic
With their sight and bubble runs.
Then the check is on the charges
And the range that's on the drum,
Then the muzzle flashes lightning:
That's THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS.
It's in the fury of the battle
When the understanding comes
That the gunner is forever,
A partner with the guns.
The gunner's pride is legend
And the battles he has won,
Bring Regimental Honours:
Through THE THUNDER OF HIS GUNS.
With the smoking breaches empty
And the dust and cordite gone,
There's a rumble in the distance:
That's THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS. T
The Gods of War have finished
And the Sands of Time have run,
But always there's the memory of
THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS.
And as today becomes the future
Our sons will tell their sons,
That the men whose blood they carry:
Knew THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS.
In the valley of the shadows
When his comrades are as one,
Their hearts will surely gladden
For they're the only ones
That understand the music:
In THE THUNDER OF THE GUNS.
- Gnr W.S.T. Stacy
Second World War poetry is often overlooked but in my humble opinion it is often at least the equal of its more 'celebrated' older brother.
2 comments:
Yes, very good; I'm still a fan of the WWI older brother but probably only because my uncle has written a few books on various small skirmishes (usually involving colonials units) in WWI.
Was going to posthis below but here is just as pertinent, one of my mum's prize possessions was battered brass embossed cigarette tin that all the soldiers in the trenches had. It was the 1914 Princess Mary Christmas Box...
About the box:
In November 1914, an advertisement was placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' which had been created by Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The purpose was to provide everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914 with a 'gift from the nation'.
The response was truly overwhelming, and it was decided to spend the money on an embossed brass box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey. The contents varied considerably; officers and men on active service afloat or at the front received a box containing a combination of pipe, lighter, 1 oz of tobacco and twenty cigarettes cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets instead. Indian troops often got sweets and spices, and nurses were treated to chocolate. Many of these items were despatched separately from the tins themselves, as once the standard issue of tobacco and cigarettes was placed in the tin there was little room for much else apart from the greeting card
All boxes, irrespective of recipient, contained a Christmas card and a picture of the Princess.
That write up was from an auction site, clearly some people need the money.
That's very touching and very sad. That's why the Legion's efforts will always be worthwhile.
Many years ago, in my naivety I thought that once our generation died the collective memory of war would die with it. Sadly everyday a British soldier is wounded or killed serving in some foreign land and the collective memory is added to. Over 8,000 British Troops have died since WW2 and yet for most of the time we seem as removed from conflict as we are distant from the ending of the Second World War.
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