The Pals Anniversary

UNSUPPORTED CODE The "Pals", on the marsh the night before had promised to come back To reminisce and drink the health of their colleagues, dressed in black. The brigade had numbered forty souls a community at arms. They had left their wives and loved ones their families, their farms. Right from the start the soldiers knew the battle plan was flawed as well-fed brass, in ivory towers moved pictures 'round the board Knowing best, the top brass said "Moral victory's at hand". Then without debate they sealed their fate and issued the command. The men, calf-deep in blood-tinged mud crouched 'till the whistle blew. Bittersweet tones through the battle din spurred on the gallant crew. It took twenty-three minutes for the unseen guns to slay the village brigade. The "Five-nines" left hollow memorials for the bodies, where they lay. From time to time in Appledore and towards the Saxon Shore the brigade "it's said" can be heard again heading off to war Some have seen them and some have heard the message that they give “Our deaths have bought the freedom that allows good men to live”. Do not mourn our passing but remember and be glad and think of what you can achieve not what you may have had.