The Happy Warrior by Kerry B. Collison Page A

fray
    Well, we’re here now, with a vengeance and here we’ve got to stop
    For there’s not the slightest chance to get away.
    We said farewell to loved ones e’re we left Port Melbourne Pier
    To fight against big odds on land and sea,
    But the freedom of Australia must be guarded at all costs
    And we’ll fight like hell to keep our country free.
    We long to leave these lands of strife, of misery and pain,
    We long to see our homes and loved ones too,
    But until our foe is conquered and the Kaiser sheaths his sword
    We’ll clench our teeth and see this matter through.
    Tpr W. H. Johnstone (?)
    8th ALH, AIF
    (AWM PR 84/049)
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    Of Courage and Fear
    What thoughts through [a] warrior’s mind might pass,
    What scattered gems are there?
    Memories fond, of times long past,
    Tomorrow’s dreams to share.
    That darkest time, await the dawn,
    The chill of night a cloak,
    Lonely, midst the milling crowd
    Where seldom a word is spoke.
    Embraced in silent solitude
    Yet part of a common bond,
    For here all souls react as one,
    Ponder fate, which waits beyond.
    To live, to die, what fortune hides
    In heavy thoughts aquired?
    Yet too soon, to feel the rush
    When first the shots are fired.
    What feeling stirs this pounding heart
    Dark thoughts, yet far from clear,
    Perhaps a threatening warrior bold
    Or a lonely soul with fear.
    Confronting soon, as warriors must
    When decision time draws near,
    The conflict of courage and duty
    Against his basic, mortal fear.
    For without fear, there is no courage,
    Gone all values held so dear;
    A warrior, who would be a hero
    Needs the emotional catalyst, fear.
    James D. Young



I’d Like to be There
    I would like to be there in November
    To talk with you, just like old times;
    I’d like to see who will remember,
    And walk for a while in the lines.
Hear the noise of the cooks in the morning,
    Steal a smoke on picquet at night,
    Dodge the RSM as he wanders,
    Ready to give me a fright.
    And I’d like to play football on sports day
    And shoot on the old rifle range,
    Catch a tram to the B.E. on weekends,
    Or Grand Central just for a change.
I wonder who you all married?
    And how many children you had?
    Where you worked, and if you succeeded?
    See — proves you weren’t all that bad.
    And I’d like to visit the chapel,
    Maybe see all the trees in the rain,
    Polish my boots on a Sunday
    And stand on parade once again.
But I can’t be there in November.
    I lie here in Korea’s cold clime.
    But thankyou for planting the trees
    And thankyou for taking the time.
    To Remember a Mate.
    Margaret Gibbons
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    I’ve Had Me Share of Rubber Trees
    I’ve had me share of rubber trees and screamin’ Sergeant-Majors
    And livin’ like a mongrel dog in those stuffed-out canvas cages;
    â€™Ad me share of screamin’ jets and whoopin’ bloody rockets,
    Beetles in me under dacks, bull ants in me pockets.
    Had me share of mud ’n slush and raining like a bastard,
    And when it rains, it rains here mate — a fortnight once it lasted.
    â€™Ad me share of crawling things and human ones is with ’em
    Bitin’ round your tender spots and at the bosses bum they’re sniffin’,
    I’ve had me share of sweaty gear and rashes on me belly
    And watchin’ Yankee football on the stuffed out canteen telly;
    â€˜Ad me share of dipping out on sex and lovin’ and boozin’,
    Yeah I’m in this bloody place, but it sure wasn’t my choosin.’
    Had this bloody Vietnam and a war that ain’t fair dinkum,
    Had the swamps and chook-house towns and everythin’ is stinkin’,
    Had me share of countin’ days and boots with ten foot laces,
    I’ve had me share, I’ve ’ad it mate — ‘up’ all them foreign places!
    Anon
    (AWM MSS 0870)
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    105’s 105s
    A tribute to the Officers and Men of 105 Field Battery Royal Australian Artillery, the Battle for Long Tan and the 105mm Pack