I am after a poem or song or similar for the men that returned home (either WW1 or 2) & how they adapted. I tried googling war + poetry &poetry + remembrance - but so far I have only found things on the people who didn't come home. I have a scroll made up for the men who died, but there are just as many family members who came home & to me need something to identify them with. All I can say is thoughts like - how hard it was to leave behind what they saw / their mates / memories (good & / or bad) / readjusting to civie life / that even though they came home I am just as proud of them as those who didn't return. Thoughts like that. This can cover any of the forces - Navy, Merchant, Army, Airforce. Does anyone have any favourite poems that may tie in with what I am after? Or any other ideas on trying to google to come up with a suggestion. Many thanks, Barbara Dennis Auckland, NZ

Barbara How about this? Peter Flintshire County Herald 22nd November 1929 “LEST WE FORGET” “They died that we might live” Sleep, brave warriors, in your bed of clay Until Reveille sounds, on that Great Day, When we shall meet again to part no more With our Heavenly Father on that golden shore. Eleven years have passed, yet still we don’t forget To honour you, who helped to pay that debt Of Sacrifice, so that we all should live Unfettered, free, what more, then, could you give? Fear not, your names will never be forgot, Nor deeds of valour on some foreign spot, You gave your life, your all, without regret, God bless you, lads! We shan’t forget; When duty called, you gave up home and love To serve your King and Country and your “King above,” You nobly did your duty, while others calmly slept, You gave your all – we don’t forget. ‘Tis well perhaps you died, not lived to see Your comrades, some in dire poverty; For work and promises they ended all in smoke, And now they’re homeless, destitute, and broke. ‘Twas not for this you fought and nobly died, And when in danger oft your foes defied; The honour of your flag you bravely kept You did your duty – we must not forget. Sleep on, old comrades, you are safe at last, All your troubles over, and your dangers past; Again we hope that some day we may meet you yet, Farewell, dear comrades – God does not forget. DICK THOMAS Penyball, Holywell

I thought the List would like to see these. Flintshire Observer 3rd September 1914 FALL IN By Harold Begbie What will you lack, sonny, what will you lack When the girls line up the street, Shouting their love to the lads come back >From the foe they rushed to beat? Will you send a strangled cheer to the sky And grin till your cheeks are red But what will you lack when your mate goes by With a girl who cuts you dead? Where will you look, sonny, where will you look When your children yet to be Clamour to learn of the part you took In the war that kept men free? Will you say it was naught to you if France Stood up to her foe or bunked? But where will you look when they give the glance That tells you they know you flunked? How will you fare, sonny, how will you fare In the far-off winter night, When you sit by the fire in an old man’s chair And your neighbours talk of the fight? Will you slink away, as it were from the blow, Your old head shamed and bent? Or say – I was not with the first to go, But I went, thank God, I went? Why do they call, sonny, why do they call For men who are brave and strong? Is it naught to you if your country fall, And Right is smashed by Wrong? Is it football still and the picture show, The pub and the betting odds, When your brothers stand by the tyrant’s blow And England’s call is God’s. Flintshire Observer 3rd September 1914 The following touching verse appeared in the “Evening Standard” of August 29th. PRO PATRIA Listen, oh women of England! Hark to a sound you know, Calling your men to honour Bidding them rise and go. Here in the hush of waiting, Harder than grief to bear; When every thought is a yearning, And ev’ry hope is a prayer. Never a word must hinder, Never a hand must stay, Never a voice must falter That cheers them upon their way. Mothers, whose hearts are breaking, Who sorrow and pain have known, How would you answer England, If you gave not England her own? Sisters and wives and sweethearts, Have you not urged them yet? Yours is to point to duty, Yours is to pay the debt. Hark to the call of England! Clear as a twilight bell. Listen, O wives and mothers, Listen. And heed it well! Kathleen M Barrow

Sorry about the numbers that appeared in the text of my last two postings. I don't understand why that happened. Perhaps copying and pasting had something to do with it. Peter

Barbara, Have you thought of "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" a song by Eric Bogle. Seems to sum up the war experience quite succinctly. Kim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Dennis" <tdennis@ihug.co.nz> To: "GREATWAR - Queries" <GREATWAR@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 4:06 PM Subject: [GREATWAR] Poetry on returning home >I am after a poem or song or similar for the men that returned home (either >WW1 or 2) & how they adapted. Snip