This poem was written specially for St George’s News by Ron Russell, ex Royal Engineers, a Blind Veteran who writes our “The Quizmaster” column
They Came, They saw
They came they saw and stayed to do their bit, just like the boys in khaki kit
Some pulled the carts, while others hauled the guns, they did their bit, like the boys in khaki kit.
Some ran the trenches carrying medicals, mail and supplies, they too did their bit like the boys in khaki kit..
Others flew perilous missions in dangerous skies, they also did their bit just like the boys in khaki kit.
They lay where they fell, they had done their bit just like the boys in khaki kit.
Let us recall they also should be remembered
Coz they have done their bit just like the boys in the khaki kit.
Silhouette of Unknown Tommy
Back in April the idea was floated to honour those who had camped in the area prior to D Day, with a silhouette of the Unknown Tommy. Cllr Ann Briggs secured funding from Hampshire County Council which was used to purchase two silhouettes from the Royal British Legion. However there was insufficient time to erect the silhouettes to coincide with D Day, so Remembrance Day was decided as an alternative.
The intention was to place the silhouettes on the Maurepas Way / Hulbert Road / London Road traffic Island, but this required a ‘banner consent’ which when obtained was subject to 18 conditions some which were too onerous to follow.
So one of the Tommy Silhouettes ended up being placed in St George’s Church grounds for the Remembrance Commemorations, amongst the poppy display. The Tommy stands 4 ft 10 ins in height and is made of an aluminium composite and weighs in at 4 kg.
