My great uncle's poem

[chrisbrown43]

Hi to all...thought I would post this. It was written by my great uncle just after the last war and as we get to Sunday I thought it would be rather apt to share it with you all. My aunty has had interest from the British Legion who want to use it in their remembrance ceremonies in the future....so remember...you heard it here first!!!!

Turning Back The Hands Of Time...by Flt Sgt Ken Brown...RAF Bomber Command.

Can a returned man walk this earth with pride?

One that has gazed upon gods wonderous works

in many foriegn lands,

And has suffered many hardships from very hostile hands?

Has felt the soothing joys of victory upon the battlefield.

The sickening feeling of retreat and the ground you had to yield?

From the shimmering heat of desert lands

The drifting swirling sands, that never seem to stop,

To the pure white covered valleys,

To the snow on mountain tops.

Swealtering heat of the jungle floor,

The monsoons endless rains,

for days it seemed to pour,

A couple hours stand down was the best thing to be sure!

And to those of us that survived the fray So many years ago,

Can look one another in the face and ask,

"Was it really worth it Joe?"

Those trying years we spent apart from family and our friends,

the crowded space on troopships where you tried to make amends,

Not knowing your destination or how long you would be there,

Would it be the tropics, or some frozen icey land?

If and when we would disembark,

Had it all been planned?

Or would we finish up like those Christians in that ancient

Promised land?

The gift of those who died for us, now sleep;

Ours is the prize of those who now in foriegn soil lie deep,

Let there be no more cheering soldiers drifting

from our friendly shore,

For us to wave farewell, And see no more!

I know this was written after the last war but somehow it just seems to suit all wars!! Have tried the best I can to copy it as it was written but who knows if I made any mistakes....I just hope I haven't.

God Bless All.....Chris.

[Just Barbara]

Thankyou for sharing that, it's a real persons feelings.

Barbara..

[chrisbrown43]

It was something that just seemed to fit...all wars and all nationalaties...writen I guess about 1946 and was given to my grandfather by his brother.

[Beau Geste]

It was something that just seemed to fit...all wars and all nationalaties...writen I guess about 1946 and was given to my grandfather by his brother.

Hello Chris,

Your great uncle was obviously a caring and talented man. I enjoyed reading it.

Harry