The young men ran to join the queue,

As millions more were sure to do,

They read the posters on every wall,

“Your country needs you” the carrion call,

They came from every walk of life,

Most men single but some with a wife,

All wanted medals with a living wage,

To fight for their country and to engage,

Against the Kaiser, the cousin and kin,

Of Victoria’s grandson now Britain’s King,

They ended up in mud dark and deep,

Millions staying for death’s eternal sleep,

The Generals enjoyed warm beds and Grouse,

The men were hungry, a trench for a house,

Wasn’t this fight supposed to end all wars,

We all know different now of course,

Let these dead be a government warning,

To give people hope and a brighter morning.