They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them
Lest We Forget
Xmas 25.12.'15 Gallipoli
How I spent my time
In writing Prose and Rhythm.
'Tis Xmas Eve, I'm thinking hard
Of all concerned who sent this card.
I seem's to see my mother's there
With anxious face and snow white hair
Listening to my sister Lil
Reading such words for one named Wil
Whose far o'er the ocean taking his part
Midst the Din of Battle but with a good heart
I know the bells are ringing
Afar o'er land and sea
But the Din of the Gun and Rifle
Are the bells that are ringing for me.
But "Why am I here" is the question
That is asked by one and all.
I simply "Come up!" is the answer
In reply to "My Countries Call".
I'm aware I left wife and children
And all to me so dear
But they'll think nought of that
When their Tommy comes back
And they'll ridicule him with a cheer.
So "Roll On" when the war is over
What a glorious day that will be
When "Wilhelm" and his Huns have been shattered
And we're back to the Land of the Free.
There'll be glad hearts and sad hearts awaiting
There dear ones so anxiously.
But there's hearts that are made to be broken
For their dear one lies over the sea.
But grieve not fond parents or sister or wife
For the son, brother, husband, who thus gave his life
For what could be nobler than to answer the call
Or to die an "Hero" for the freedom of all
Gunner W Hodgson 85054
10th Battery RFA
147 Brigade, 29th Division
MEF
Dardanelles
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Wilfred Hodgson died Thursday 7th December 1916, aged 33, at Meulte, Somme.
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Office of Australian War Graves
War Records & Their Use in Family History
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19th Century British & Indian Armies
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Letters & Dispatches Lord Horatio Nelson
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