Typed Verse for Thomas Leslie ‘Les’ LIDDELOW 2472

“VALE LES LIDDELOW / It’s a long way back I’m thinking, when Les and I first met. / It was somewhere out in Egypt, (playing football, you can bet) / Boys from South Australia, from “Groper Land” and “Vic” / Were formed into a Squadron “Controlled” by Major Mick. / He was only just a youngster, (“and I was little more) / That applied to most of us, who took part in the war / There was something in his make up, that I never shall forget. / And I treasure those old Memories, that hover round me yet. / We indulged in fun and banter, just like all soldiers did. / And I sport, especially football, you’d always find old “Lidd” / From the early days of ’16 until the job was done / We shared our trials and hardships, our comradeship, and fun. / Our comradeship was severed, with the ending of the war. / We came back to our homeland, to settledown once more. / And as the years rolled slowly by, I heard from him again. / We met once more, four years ago, to “men the broken chain.” / When U received the telegram, ‘twas only yesterday, / To tell me that our old pal Les on Sunday, Passed Away. / It wasn’t unexpected, but was hoping, (‘tho in vain) / That within a week or so, maybe, I’d see him once again. / If only I had had the chance, to’ve been there by his side. / To’ve seen him once again before, he crossed the Great Divide / But Fate, decreed it otherwise (it does some funny things) / And his Make, in His judgement, ended all his sufferings. / Very soon, once more I’m going to cross the Nullabor. / But things will not be quite the same as when I went before. / Conspicuous by their absence, there are five I shall not see. / My old pal Les, brothers Alf and Fred, Jack Moth and Bill McGhie. / So, on the Roll, we’ll find a place, to add another name. / Throughout his life, likewise in sport, he always “Played the Game” / At Sunrise every morning, and when shades of Night grow dim. / To those old mate who’ve passed and Gone “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.” / “HOLMESY””