1st July

[kinnethmont]

I came upon these verses tonight written by Woodbine Willie and thought they aptly describe the 1st July 1916 and Pte Atkin's lot generally.

The Spirit

When there ain't no gal to kiss you,

And the postman seems to miss you,

And the fags have skipped an issue,

Carry on.

When ye've got an empty belly,

And the bulley's rotten smelly,

And you're shivering like a jelly,

Carry on.

When the Boche has done your chum in,

And the sergeant's done the rum in,

And there ain't no rations comin',

Carry on.

When the world is red and reeking,

And the shrapnel shells are shrieking,

And your blood is slowly leaking,

Carry on.

When the broken battered trenches,

Are like the bloody butchers' benches,

And the air is thick with stenches,

Carry on.

Carry on,

Though your pals are pale and wan,

And the hope of life is gone,

Carry on.

For to do more than you can,

Is to be a British man,

Not a rotten "also ran,"

Carry on.

Rev Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929)

aka Woodbine Willie

[59165]

Nice one,James.

Thanks for posting it.

Dave

[laughton]

Beaumont Hamel Day, July 1st 1916.

Hug a Newfoundlander! And click the caribou.