In loving memory of all those that gave their lives to keep us safe.
Grandfather’s Legacy
Old man sits in his rocking chair eyes fixed on his front gate Waiting for his mates to call But it is all too late His eyes they are transparent His mind it wonders off Remembering long ago happenings and mates that he had lost This Aussie mans a Digger who travelled far from home Excitement and adventure he did wish to see And thought he'd help to save the world at Gallipoli Boarding ships for far flung lands Rifles held in untrained hands Some with horses for brave young men They felt the world depended on them They laughed and joked along the way "G'donya mate how'd ya do are you looking for a thrill or two" Unaware of what was in store ANZAC their destiny forged With Gallipoli their port of call As each one headed for the shore, men and boys shot down like dogs While others prayed to God above to get them through the days and hours Shrapnel descending down in showers Struggling their way through bludgeoned debris The likes of which one could never conceive Bodies strewn from shore to cliff, the blood of mite and youth These horrors of war did not sway them In fact their shear tenacity saved them Mateship born in these brave men Each one knowing they could depend on mates that said "G'day come with me we'll find a way, we'll beat the Turks at their own game and live to see this through. Don't give up we'll improvise us Aussie's know how to survive We've tamed our harsh brown land. Now we can tame this God forsaken land" The ANZAC Spirit born of Man Where neighbours once from Aus and NZ would wrap each other in verbal dread Now standing side by side building trust and friendship with pride Tears for fallen solder's saved with courage to live another day Waiting for bombs and gas to fall to finish one and all In their pits of futile plague unsung heroes saved Mates from graves Anzac spirit born so well in this unholy hell Diggers are a special breed of that there is no doubt Tenacity and strength of spirit we cannot comprehend When searching the faces of these brave men I look at this brave man's face as I walk through his gate I see an old man before his years A grandfather who finds it hard to shed tears I am but eight and cannot understand the pain dealt to this dear sweet man His passing was a quiet affair but I remember this His sacrifice for this land of ours His sacrifice to keep me free His ANZAC love and pride of country Grandfather's legacy to me At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them LEST WE FORGET D.S. Elliott