It was some twenty years ago
We waged war ‘gainst this same foe
That we are fighting now today,
Locked in this harsh and deadly fray.
The soldiers camped within our town
And on the streets marched up and down
In khaki neat and buttons bright
They made a pleasing happy sight.
Our little boy ‘bout half past three
Followed the soldiers, full of glee.
One day I missed him from his play
And with the soldiers he did stray
“Son,” I said, “Why your mother grieve
You should not stray without her leave.”
“Mother,” he said, “When I’m older
I’m going to be a soldier”.
Years have sped by, he’s now a man
He’s shaped his life by his own plan,
He heard his country’s fervent call
He said, “I’ll give my life, my all”---
He rides a plane high in the skies
And shakes the star dust from his eyes.
The pilot and the gunners, too,
Take orders from his boy in blue.
He charts the plane and sets it right
And scouts about in darkest night.
Our task at home is just as great,
‘Tis true, its hard to watch and wait,
Until this war of nerves is o’er.
Hitler’s blasted from Britain’s shore
And wrongs to other nations cease
‘Tis only then, we shall have peace.
Olive Wray Heywood, mother of Sgt William Wray Heywood 150 squadron.
