Elsa Beattie has been very kind enough to allow Beyond The Door to place two poems written by herself, and one by her late father, here within War Diaries. Many thanks!
REMEMBRANCE
Written by Elsa J Beattie
We remember in silence
We remember with praise
All those who died
For our future days.
We remember with praise
All those who died
For our future days.
They fought long and hard
That we may have peace
While hoping and praying
That all wars would cease.
That we may have peace
While hoping and praying
That all wars would cease.
So on their behalf
Let's continue to pray
And fight the good fight
Towards peace every day.
Let's continue to pray
And fight the good fight
Towards peace every day.
With God on our side
That battle we'll win
In remembrance of them
And to glorify Him.
That battle we'll win
In remembrance of them
And to glorify Him.
As today we wear poppies
To remember our dead
Let peace be the victor
In all days ahead.
To remember our dead
Let peace be the victor
In all days ahead.
THE POPPY OF REMEMBRANCE
Written by Elsa J Beattie
The Poppy of Remembrance
Red as the blood that fell
From all those brave young soldiers
Who didn't live their tales to tell.
Red as the blood that fell
From all those brave young soldiers
Who didn't live their tales to tell.
They fought for our tomorrows
Gave the ultimate sacrifice
We should never then forget them
Those who gave us freedom's prize.
Gave the ultimate sacrifice
We should never then forget them
Those who gave us freedom's prize.
That prize we all should cherish
Each and every day
Thank God for those brave heroes
And remember them today.
Each and every day
Thank God for those brave heroes
And remember them today.
The Poppy of Remembrance
A badge of freedom worn
As we remember in the silence
Those who never made it home.
A badge of freedom worn
As we remember in the silence
Those who never made it home.
My late father, Alexander Barr served with the Royal Army Service Corps 193 Field Ambulance Division from 1941 -1946. During these years, he wrote around 18 war - related poems which I have recently published in a little booklet as a way of perpetuating the memory of a brave soldier and loving father (for only 15 years of my life as he died when aged only 50) whose gift for poetry was never recognised.
- Elsa Beattie
EIGHTH ARMY
Written by L/Cpl Alexander Barr. 193 Fd. Amb. R.A.S.C.
Montgomery’s men, you’ve fought and won
Your gallant deeds have thrilled the world
From Egypt’s sands you chased the Hun
In Libya, too, the Union Jack’s unfurled.
Your gallant deeds have thrilled the world
From Egypt’s sands you chased the Hun
In Libya, too, the Union Jack’s unfurled.
Once in retreat, harassed and harried
Hard-pressed, but dauntless still before their might
At last, when near El Alamein, you tarried
You turned to face the foe, to give him fight.
Hard-
At last, when near El Alamein, you tarried
You turned to face the foe, to give him fight.
There you stayed, rested, then re-formed your ranks
Till one day Monty said, “Now lads, we’re ready.
This time we’re fit to finish Rommel’s pranks”
From that day on your progress has been steady.
Till one day Monty said, “Now lads, we’re ready.
This time we’re fit to finish Rommel’s pranks”
From that day on your progress has been steady.
We, serving still at home, of your brave conquests read
Our gratitude to you we’re keen to show
We can but hope we’ll emulate your deed
When our turn comes to meet the tyrant foe.
Our gratitude to you we’re keen to show
We can but hope we’ll emulate your deed
When our turn comes to meet the tyrant foe.