JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
or
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his mates; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion mates listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for

A SOLDIER DIED TODAY
© 1987 A. Lawrence Vain court

 VIII
LAST POST
Rest ye, oh Warrior, you’ll battle no more no longer to live the horrors of war your duty was done, with
Honour and Pride’ farewell! Oh brother, until we march by your side.
♦
John Moody Malayasia (TPT PL) and Vietnam (Mortars).
Passed away on 3rd March 2012
♦
147242 Captain Charles H Tranberg.  Charles was a CMF Officer who served as with the battalion as an observer from 22 Dec 69 until 8 Jan  70.  The funeral is to be held Toowoomba.
♦
Service for Herbert Moschetti, originally from Lilydale, will be held on MONDAY (Dec. 19) at 11 a.m. Glen Funerals, 33 Commercial Dve, Thomastown.
♦
Ray Bishop has passed away on 10th DEC  He served with 6RAR Vietnam and 
8RAR ( Malasia and Vietnam)
♦

Dennis Joiner lost his battle with leukaemia on Wednesday and his funeral is this Saturday Dec 10th @ 10.00 am at the Uniting Church Warriewood (Mona Vale)
♦

Denis Rabbitt (B Coy SVN) passed 
away on 25 Sept 2011 from cancer.Funeral Arrangements are
Date: 8 Oct 11 -Time: 1230 hrs
Location: Catholic Diocese of Townsville Ryan Community Centre, Morino Drive Kirwan 4817
Messages of condolence and support may be sent to his widow Judy at 10 Mears Street, MYSTERTON, QLD 4812.
 ♦
Dusty Miller passed away 02. 09. 2011. Dusty was the CSM of A COY Vietnam His Funeral Service is at 2pm Friday, the  9th of  September 2011 at the Garrison Chapel  Lavarrack Barracks Townsville.  Message of condolences to his wife E'laine and family may be sent to 351/60 Beck Drive, Condon, QLD 4815.
♦

Terry Summers passed away 28. 08. 2011. Terry served with the Battalion in B COY South Vietnam 1969-1970Cremation of the late Terry Summers (former CQMS B Coy SVN).
The service will commence on Friday 2 Sep 11 at 1030 hrs at the Garden Chapel at the Albany Hills  Crematorium.  It would be appreciated if Terry's mates and former members of B  Coy  gather to farewell him.  
Interstate members unable to attend may wish to send messages of condolence to his window Bev Summers at 21 Lappilli Street, Keppera QLD 4054.

♦
PETER ALAN BUXTON 1734993 passed away this month. Peter was a 15th intake National Serviceman D. Coy, Vietnam – 7.11.69 – 12.11.70.
♦
Binney T.R. Spr 1202052 1FDSQN  RAE
 ATTACHED 8RAR VIETNAM 
♦
Reg Cook (B Coy 8RAR Vietnam) Passed Away at
5.30amon Monday 27 June 2011
♦
Lt Col  Keith O'Neil (Rtd) passed away peacefully at 8.30am on Friday
10th JUNE 2011. 
  ♦
2787739 Robert "Foxy" Rosborough . He served with 8 Battalion in Malaysia and later in Vietnam as D Coy Sig.
♦
     
 

“Well done thou good and faithful friends.”
‘WE CAN NEVER FORGET’