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D-day poetry at Southsea Cinema
The News, Portsmouth
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03/06/2024
D-day poetry at Southsea Cinema
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News
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00:00
Boots on, rifle loaded, I've been handed my destiny as I'm off to fight the
00:06
Germans on the beaches of Normandy. As we arrive we are welcomed by gunfire and
00:13
it's not too long before the body counts gets higher and higher. Myself and these
00:20
men have gone from being strangers to brothers. This hostile place is a far cry
00:25
from being born into the doting arms of our mothers. To the right of me,
00:32
Private James Smith, little Jimmy, barely turned 18 when he laid down his life
00:39
for his country and his King Supreme. To the left of me the bloody remains of
00:46
Corporal Henry Parker. Will these images return to haunt me?
00:52
God bless soldier RIP. Time has quickly blurred into one as we yearn to look
01:01
into the eyes of a wife or a loved one. Tracks of tanks, tracks of tears, tracks
01:09
of a scar, so much devastation on this beach from afar. But come whatever, come
01:18
what may and I'll proudly say me and these men gave our all in the battles of D-Day.
01:25
I was not here on D-Day but safe on England's shore. I hadn't faced the
01:33
horror of those that went before but soon the order issued to Normandy you go
01:39
so 43rd Div crossed the channel to face the German foe. With trouble from their
01:45
snipers in church towers and in trees we quickly learned that warfare wasn't
01:51
such a breeze. Those booming mine and warfare and dreaded Tiger tanks we lost
01:57
some friends and we were left to offer God our thanks. Then came the night we
02:03
left our lines to wreck a post of observation but Jen was wrong. They led
02:08
us through thus mastering situation. As battle raged it seemed like ours but
02:15
then died to eerie quiet but single noise brought guns again grenades joined
02:21
in the riot. Laid out in fields with enemy barring our getting back only two
02:28
prayers to offer up as faith I did not lack. Lord keep me safe I'm just 18 and
02:35
still alive to live or if it is end please make it quick I've nothing more
02:41
to give. When mum and dad tucked up in bed completely unaware that their two
02:47
sons were facing death in Norman fields are there. Alas came time when handy hog
02:54
fell on ears in dread. Thirty went out, sixteen returned, five captured and nine
03:02
dead. Two wagon journeys followed then of six days and of five transported off to
03:10
the Polish mines forced labour to survive. The work was hard so little food
03:16
it was a mournful time in darkest depths but hope prevailed down amid the grime.
03:23
In January the camp was closed and we were marched away to other camps or so
03:28
they said but we marched day on day for three long months in ice and snow till
03:35
springtime brought relief. Dead bodies left at side of road no time or kin for
03:42
grief. One thousand miles in all we trod and slept in barns at night. Flea bitten
03:49
dirty and unkempt we were a sorry sight. When would it end we didn't know for
03:55
news we did not hear until one night gunfire from West told our release was
04:02
near. With memories I come each year and often shed a tear to understand that I
04:10
came home to live another year I still can see each passing day the friends I
04:16
left behind the price they paid I nearly paid is clearly brought to mind. Stand
04:23
with me and give your thanks for those who paid the price for had they not the
04:29
life we live would not be very nice. They cannot make their voices heard as
04:34
they lie neath the grass honor them for all they gave brave soldiers to the last.
04:41
Some folks praise me for service or similarly applaud or compliment my
04:46
medals but I'm not a fraud and I'm not a World War hero I'm no one of renown if
04:53
you're seeking heroes just cast your eyes around.
04:58
If guns can bring peace where is peace in Somalia? If guns can bring peace where is peace in Iraq?
05:08
If guns can bring peace where is peace in Syria?
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