Alphabetical Reflections of a Tanker Recruit

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 27

Alphabetical Reflections of a Tanker Recruit

A stands for "Army. I'm now in it's ranks And dreaming each night of Nazis, Japs and Tanks. B is for Bull-ring where daily I am learning To halt on the left foot and take the right turning. C stands for Cnocko —a term of contempt For rookies like me who look raw and unkempt. D is the "drain" down which I'll descend Should all leave be cancelled this coming weekend. E is for the Energy I’ve been expending At physical training by stretching and bending. F is Fatigues which often are a bore Or for my feet which are ordered on the floor. G is for the guard who watches all our trucks In weather that is suited more for waddling ducks. H is the Hut where so very much of life Is spent in writing letters to my loving wife. I is for the infantry drill which I am taught With a squad of Infants"some long, some short. J is the Joy that cannot be expressed When my Furlough comes and I am dressed. K is my Kit Bag—of which I have a notion My shirt is at the bottom and soaked in my hair lotion L is for Leave— most popular word In the army vocabulary that I've heard. M s for manoeuvres—in rain or in snow Out in the cactus" or desert we go. N's for the night that I came from the South Wet, cold and nervous and down it the mouth. O s for the Officers—wearing tan boots The captains, the majors, the colonels and "loots". P s the Parade for the morning inspection For pay or for mess or for Tet Prop inspection. 0 s the Q.M. with a grin and a stern face What chance have I got my lost boots to replace? R s for Reveille—an ominous sound Keep s disturbing my slumbers each morning I've found. S is for "Sorry you'll be" If you come to the Tank Camp in winter like me. T's for Taihape—hospitable town Where the Gretna invites me my sorrows to drown. U s for the Unit to which I'm attached Where stretchers are carried and bodies are snatched, V is for Valentines, massive and strong, Through mud and through slush they go roaring along W stands for Wet Canteen For lack of which I've sorrow seen. X is the number of times I've been To buy nugget and razors at our canteen. Y is for you who are with me in camp We don't fare so badly in spite of the damp. Z's for the Zephyrs that constantly blow Gott strafe old Hitler and Tojo and'Co.!