大象传媒

A POEM BY DOUG LITTLEJOHN AS A TRIBUTE TO HIS FRIEND, GRAHAM WALKER (Former Mayor of Battle, East Sussex.) IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE'S WAR WEBSITE BY JOHN YOUNG OF 大象传媒 SOUTH EAST TODAY ON BEHALF OF DOUG LITTLEJOHN, WHO UNDERSTANDS THE SITE'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Graham has not left us, he is down on the marsh,
He is walking the meadows, amongst the long grass,
He knows every ditch, and remembers each dyke,
He'll be cycling the lanes on his old battered bike.

The marsh was his playground when he was a lad,
Despite the bombs and the bullets, there was fun to be had,
He had many close shaves, too close to recall,
Despite Hitler's efforts, he got through them all!

Visiting the places he knew from the war,
The old Radar Stations that function no more,
Those small army posts where he once scrounged a meal,
With a hot mug of ta, how good it would feel.

He'll find hidden craters made by Hun Doodlebugs,
And bombs still alive or sleeping like slugs,
Remembering the Dog Fights, planes down on the Marsh,
Those very brave Airmen, their endings so harsh.

He knows all the crash sites, still to be found,
With pieces of wreckage buried deep underground,
Planes down on The Marsh with engines still hot,
With all of his mates, they were first on the spot.

I'll remember the day and the fun we both had,
Visiting the places that he knew as a lad,
I'll return to those places, one sunny day,
Knowing Graham will guide me each step of the way.

He'll visit the Castle and help every Guide,
Reminding each one what's in and outside,
Prompting the new Guides, there'll be quite a few,
Ensuring they know what to say and to do.

At each Ploughing Match, he'll be taking good care,
Covering his proceedings, ensuring all's square,
In his faithful Range Rover, mud up to the hub,
He'll slip off his boots and retire to the pub!

Had Graham penned "HIS book" he'd present it so well,
Of his humble beginnings, what a story he'd tell,
From his days on the Marsh, amongst sheep and the cattle,
Till his rise to the top, when he became Mayor of Battle.

When Graham reaches Heaven, he'll be sipping red wine,
"Surveying" God's Kingdom for the rest of all time,
With his family and friends, all pain will be gone,
So I'll say "Bye old mate, I'll see you ere long."

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