I was 18 as I signed on for King and country,

But on my way to France, the future I couldn't foresee.

My friend Jack and I on our way with the others,

At the Front was a young man carrying our colours.

We arrived at the Front, oh what an awful sight.

The sky was so dark, smoky, hardly any light.

This was so unexpected, I wanted to turn and run away.

I took a deep breath and knew I had to stay.

We dug our way in the mud-filled trenches.

The feeling of sickness, because of the stenches.

I turned to talk to the chap next to me.

From the pain of this world, I knew he was free.

Jack turned to me and said -- "What's it all about?"

When -- "over the top, lads" -- came the dreaded shout.

As we ran, the flash from the guns blinded our eyes.

To the Germans, we came as no surprise.

I stopped in my steps, I couldn't see Jack.

Why had I done this, as there was no way back.

Stumbling and floundering, I fell to the ground.

I felt something hot and sticky -- Jack I had found.

Hundreds died on that terrible and awful day.

Why, for the wrongs of others, did our lads have to pay?

So many mistakes happened in the First World War.

From our lads, we couldn't have asked for more.

Now I am old and suffer from memories of the past.

How long will they go on? How long will they last?

Remember all those who gave their lives for you.

Keep Remembrance Day -- it's the least you can do. By Toosje, Chorley

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.