Eagerly they accepted the King’s shilling,
Fresh-faced youths responded to the call.
Most caught up in fervent patriotic naivety,
Keenly anticipating a glorious adventure.
Soon nationalistic fantasy confronted grim reality,
Youthful idealism was swiftly obliterated
Amidst a Hellorama of mud, screams and gore.
Those long dead boys call to the living,
When our war is a dusty recollection
Our motives misrepresented and misunderstood,
Please Remember Our Innocence.
RJG