大象传媒

The H.M.S Trouncer at the rescue of refugees from the Empire Patrol in September 1945.
One of the officers wrote this poem about the Empire Patrol rescue. I have kept it all these years.

Empire Patrol

S.O.S! S.O.S! I鈥檓 on fire, she flashed
And the Trouncer slews round and away she dashed
To the scene of the tragedy miles away
Where many were lost on this luckless day
Poor Empire Patrol.

鈥淪he鈥檚 ablaze like a torch,鈥� Trouncer鈥檚 captain said
鈥淣ow let our great hanger take many a bed.
Strong swimmers will muster with no more delay
For there are souls in the water on this luckless day.鈥�
Poor Empire Patrol.

鈥淪tand by all you boat crews, now lower your boats
And you on the flight deck, away Carley floats.
Off you go you strong swimmers, now make your play
There are men to be saved on this luckless day.鈥�
Poor Empire Patrol.

And into the water tho, heavy the swell
Went boats, Carley, rafts; strong swimmers as well
While yet in the hangers we tried S.BA.
Stood by for the survivors on this luckless day.
Poor Empire Patrol.

The air force was there with a plane in the sky
Dropping smoke floats as marker for those drifted by
And many the men who had drifted away
Owed his life to that aircraft on this luckless day
Poor Empire Patrol.

First women and children, the poor victims of fate
Who will never forget to this September date?
For when they鈥檒l remember, they鈥檒l stop and they鈥檒l pray
For the men of the Trouncer on this luckless day.
Poor Empire Patrol.

Now faster they come and yet even faster
As the boats loaded up, move from disaster
And the swimmers bring in those gone astray
There are heroes aplenty on this luckless day.
Poor Empire Patrol.

The new from the Trouncer flashed back to the port, said
The number rescued, the number of dead
Yet evenings closing, the sky鈥檚 getting grey
And there are still some adrift on this luckless day.
Poor Empire Patrol.

At last all were off, many a thrill
Yet remain in the water a few people still
But more ships are here and Trouncer must stay
To aid in the search on this luckless day
Poor Empire Patrol.

Pr-BR

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