Letters Home from the Front Line

Letter Home from the front line

It seems but a dream to me now, now that my brother Percy lies dead,

I try to get rid of those scenes, banish those images out of my head

But now I must struggle to bring them all back

As I attempt to relate what occurred that day, Jack

You know to be with me is what he preferred

So to accord with his wishes I got him transferred

And it wasn't just his worries I sought hard to relieve

As he sewed the stripe that I gave him onto his sleeve

No, my concern multiplied as he stowed up his kit

For, funny thing, I felt nervous that he might just get hit

Now I had some forty men under my eye

All brave as lions but none wishing to die

We got to the trenches late Tuesday night

Close to the firing line where we had to fight

Nearby was a house some of the lads had just found

A place we could lie up, all safe and sound.

From the yard next morning came a cry of alarm

Adams from Llanilleth had got shot through the arm

Racing outside I cut off his coat with my knife

Blood pumping out badly but no threat to his life

Percy appeared as Adams gave out a yelp

Saying "I'll cut back inside to get us some help"

So as I bandaged the wound to stem the blood's flow

My brother went in the entrance way stooping down low

There were holes cut in partition walls on the ground floor

For no one would go in or out of a standard size door

Then, after recruiting three men, by awful mischance

He returned through the house's normal entrance

And came running quickly around the corner, but then

For three yards was exposed to German marksmen

They were just fifty yards away so I heard one loud crack

Just as Percy fell forward, a sniper 's slug in his back

There was a sudden silence; I felt my blood running chill

Heard my name called out twice "Will...Will".

I ran forward to lift him up from the dirt

And got him inside to see how bad he was hurt

But as I bandaged his wound I could not pretend

That injuries so severe might ever mend

I knew that my brother had nought left to give

Though others gathered round me insisted he'd live.

He lived for one hour. I remained by his side

Telling him he'd be safe but he knew that I lied

As he stayed fully conscious. "I'm dying" he said

Gripping tight on my arms cradling his head.

In a ring the boys stood around him quite near

In many an eye was a glistening tear

His officer said in a voice low and sad

"He died like a hero for such a young lad".

Jack, you'll break the news gently to the old folk, I know

For to them it will be yet one more grievous blow

God help them and grant them all of His mercy

When they learn of the death of their youngest, Percy.

The End.