The day they needed volunteers,
I was keen to join the band,
I knew that I would be in danger,
But the country needed a hand.

If I die they would remember,
I’d be the English ashes in the foreign sea,
Dedicated to serving,
Patriotic was me.

At first the dead were rising,
Only inside my head,
Dreams terrified me,
For I knew I’d soon be dead.

Diving into trenches,
Rats by my toes,
Trying to work out,
Who’s our friends or foes.

Something that changed my mind,
Was the death of my marvellous mate,
A real trooper, he was,
But unfortunately, he was bait.

I thought about my family,
I really miss Aunt Lottie,
Can’t wait til I go home,
To have a homebaked stottie.

England was my middle name,
War had made me dazed,
I know where I’m from,
Newcastle, born and raised.

It only took one shot,
Only just one fire,
I was worried I would die soon,
But this was my desire.

My pain ended in seconds,
When the sun was dawning,
I didn’t even feel it,
I never saw the morning.