United We Will Be

At the age of just 22

He had to change tie and suit

To a flag on his arm and a dog tag ‘round his neck

Beret and boots both brand new

First week inside the trench

Fearful eyes to the no man’s land

Sudden spit fire, dead bodies on barbed wire

And his inner voice did say:

But united we will be

From the Midlands to the sea

From the shores to the hills

To the farms and their mills

United we will be

After serving for seven years

And coping trauma with gear

A thousand-yard stare and nobody cared

About another senseless war

Glorious warriors

Wasted by the Crown