Poem: The Somme 100 Years On
July 1st 2016 - 100 years on from one of the most gruesome battles The British Army has ever known. A battle that lasted months and that claimed the lives of almost 20,000 soldiers in the first day.
I wasn’t at the war, I don’t personally know anyone who fought there. I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the souls who fought so bravely. For without your sacrifice, I could have a different life today. A life without choice. A life without a voice.
100 YEARS ON.
“Your Country Needs YOU” said Lord Kitchener to the brave.
Pals stood side by side, patriotic, together and tall.
A wobbly bottom lip, wouldn’t do at all.
Our professional army was tiny, compared to the Germans, we were so so small.
We relied on the average Joes to pick up the shortfall.
In true British tradition, our men, they did us proud.
“For the Red White and Blue” we still sing out loud.
Picking up their rifles, they headed for the sea.
To the land of France, where their fate would be seen.
Our boys were called to show support - to their families, their country, their King.
A battle would rage on for months ahead, taking the lives of the free.
More than twenty thousand souls in the first day alone.
The fear on the battlefield, the tears from at home.
A nation left in mourning, but our boys they still fought on.
They didn’t give up, with our allies we were strong.
The further months passed and finally we took control.
The battle would go down in history for its high death toll.
A victory of sorts, for we won back the land.
But the memories are still leaving families proud but sad.
One hundred years on, we remember the soldiers, the Pals, the men that died.
For they gave their life for our modern day lives.
We’ll always remember our soldiers, living or in their grave.
For we are Britain, the land of the brave.
