HOW THE WOUNDED SOLDIER DIED.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 36, 19 November 1920, Page 13

HOW THE WOUNDED SOLDIER DIED.

(Dedicated to J. P. Malcolm, My Teacher, by "Columbine.")

We wero waiting, oh so patient, for the umbulance to come, As we sat beside his stretcher against the wall, I was propping up his head, when he looked at me and said, "Matey! I think it is the "Call." • I want to thank you for your care. You have saved me many a pain. Oh ! my body, how it aches. Just lift me once again. (I'd love to feel the breeze once more), And place my rifle near my knee, And the dear old khaki that I wore Out on the battlefield. Oh ! we had stirring times, Bill. - It seems just like a dream, And now comes the awakening, But fraught with bitter pain. Oh! Bill, do you remember when we wero late on leave. How our captain stofmed when we returned, And how we worked out our reprieve. But the little girl I left behind, was a stunner without a doubt. I wonder will she think of me when J go "Out." She has promised and that's half the worst. i I'll still believe her true, And see, she has given me a token. This little badge of blue, I've worn it here amidst the fray, all through the storm and strife. I'd love to live to wed her, and call her my own wee wife. But Fate's decrees must be obeyed, And I'm weak from wounds received. If I dould only see her once again My mind would have relief . But, Bill, old boy, it's no use grieving, I know I've got to die; I can't hold out much longer. Hark ! I hear the Aussie's cry. The good old fellows, how they fought, Without a single spell. But Oh ! those blessed machines of war, Kept spitting out their shell. 'Twas murder from the start, Bill, But I wouldn't let on, you know. War must be fought at any price , To save the monarch's throne. And I'd go through it again, boy, if I only had the chance, But it's willed I'll never fight again On the shores of La Belle France. Take this packet to the mater, jf you get through the scrap. There's things there women treasure And a line for the dear old chap. I know they will take it rat! • r hard, But listen. . don't breathe a word About the little lassie, that's a secret 'twixt you and God. Oh ! how my limbs are paining — when will the van arrive? My flesh has felt the foemen's steel. How could it be otherwise. I've just been up against it, and I tell you it makes me reel, But I smashed the Hun that hit me, I'm sure of him at least. But another one came at me, a great big bloated beast. . He probed me with his bayonet between the shoulders so It makes me tremble, whern I think what I'd do with him now ! But his time will come, I know he will die, As a traitorous cove should die. He certainly wasn't a hero, though he Wore an Iron Cross, And the Kaiser's cowardly army would only feel the loi.s, And they won't- beat us, eh ! Bill, you'll carry on, you say. Yes, old man, just hold my hand., I'd trust you any day. As long as we keep together, we will gain the victory. Though cruel foes surround us and treachery on every side, We'll still keep on believing in Him Who gave His Son to die. He will give us ihe power to conquer, though bitter be the strife. Thank God, we have the men, Bill, willing to lay down their life, And Bill, mine's ebbing fast away, just hold my hand awhile. I fancy I see the "Visitor" with such a heavenly smile. It's "Good-bye," mate, the ambulance will take the body now. The Spirit will be "Up Yonder" where the streets are paved with gold, And where all the tears shall be washed away. For God's Word has told us so. Don't forget the packet, Bill, for the loved ones I leave behind, And tell them, should you reach Blighty, just how their first'-born died, And kiss my sister, your sweetheart Nell; tell her we'll meet on the other side.

Tell my parents you smoothed my pillow, and calmed my every woe. Tell them you were at the parting (but don't hint about the wound), And that I saw an Angel stand with a robe of spotless whiteness, And a harp within his hand. And I knew that it was Jesus to whom we were taught to pray, When quite little infants beside our paent's knee. And if you could only say a prayer, Bill, I feel I could stand at ease. So there and then beside his bunk, with my knees on the sandy soil, I uttered up the Lord's Prayer, And I felt the Holy Presence within the tent had conle. I crossed his hand upon his breast and upon the badge of blue, And wondered in my' inmost heart would the donor be likewise true And then as I said "Good.-bye, mate," and kissed him reverently, I closed his dear blue eyes, boys, his tears were washed away.