Sunday 27 January 2013

Poem from B Company Royal Irish Rifles 1916.

While going through some old newspapers tonight I came across this piece in the Carrickfergus Advertiser from August 4th 1916.

Dear Sir - Would you be so kind as to publish our few lines in your weekly paper which we are glad to receive "Somewhere" at present; also to express our sympathy to the parents of those who fell in action July 1st 1916, belonging to Carrick and district.  These lines will catch the eye of some boys belonging to us in various hospitals who know the places mentioned.

A few CARRICK Boys.  

Hamil Trenches

July the first in Kentish caves,
After the break of dawn,
Our Company it did rally,
The German lines to storm.

The hours moved on but slowly,
And the boys, eager for the fray.
Started to sing such old-time song
As "No Surrender" and "Dolly's Brae."

The appointment time, it came at last,
We moved in a single array,
Some went to a place called Bastion Point,
And the remainder by Dolly's Brae.

As the hands of the watch reached half-past seven
Along there came the call-
Over the top and the best of luck, boys
And may God defend you all.

C.S. Murray, our Company Captain---
No better could have been---
Fell when doing his duty
Leading his men for Country and King.

Lieutenant Lemon led his platoon
This officer loved by all,
Was shot by two German officers,
But a bomb gave them their call.

So Carrick, Whiteabbey and Monkstown ,
Your sons have played the game.
They fell where the battle was thickest,
Upholding England's name.



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