LEST WE EVER FORGET WHAT THEY DID FOR US.
CHARLIE
What stirs deep within their spirits and soul,
When they hear the pipes and drummer’s roll,
Old Veterans marching at an arthritic pace,
Young Drum-Major twirling his splendid mace.
So proud they are, knowing they were the best,
Campaign medals blazoned on their chest.
Charlie my dear comrade was such a Vet,
The most amazing man I have ever met.
Wheelchair bound, not allowed on parade,
Shell shocked, wounded, memories don’t fade.
Remembrance Day, Cape Town, eighty four,
Charlie and I would settle the score…
As the command came to ‘Forward March”
I pushed Charlie past ranks of ‘faded starch’
Following the Banner bearers and the band.
Acknowledging the crowd with saluted hand
Charlie beamed like some prized Cheshire cat.
He was the star attraction, no doubt about that.
Charlie and I once met the Queen on parade,
Philip questioned Charlie’s medals and braid
Despite the protests from the old Veterans side,
I pushed Charlie on parades until the day he died.
Alf Hutchison Author “Sounds of distant Drums”
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 