The First World War - Historic Scotland

Pages from the Notebook of
Sgt Sydney Oldham
First and Last Thoughts, Lines
suggested on the moment of
Embarkation.
_________0__________
We march out of the Harbour Station,
Into the cold March wind,
To where the Trooper is lying
Just alongside the Quay.
At our furloughs termination,
Back thy thoughts go flying
To those we have left behind
_ perhaps never more to see.
_______ o________
We step across the gangway
Showing no trace of fear;
Outwardly cool, and self-reliant,
Yet feeling very much alone.
As the ship gets on her way
Each feels strangely silent;
Each has thoughts his own
Of Home; - and all that is dear.
________0________
To a Trench Rat
____o____
Ye great big, ugly
hulking beast,
There is nae panic
in the breast,
When ye come oot
tae hae feast
O’ oor guid bread. Nor dae ye seem to
care the least, hae ill we feed.
A hauf loaf nae oure big a bit
Tae keep a Tommy weel an’ fit,
An’ sairly can we spare it Tae fill your
frame, Atho’ your point view I wil’s nae,
see just the same.
When in the wee dug-oot I lie,
An’ tae the martial lullaby O’ cannon an’
machine guns try tae lay gang tay
sleep,Tha’ nay mair than closed an eye
When oot ye peep.
Then oot ye come, unwelcome guest ye
spoil a weel earned rest A glower about
awhile oor least Ye should be seen Then
tak a scamper oure me chest wi muckle
spleen
As oure the top I keek at nicht Tae star
shells a burning bricht But when ye stand
amisdst the nicht As crouse can be! The
“ jam jars” gie as mony a fricht The deil
cairs ye!
Now I must bid ye glad fareweel
An’ next time ye came here tae steal
I hope ye’ll choose a nither cheil
Ye sleekit bandit: Flic ye micht get
twa inch a steel Whaur ye least want it.
© Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum 2006
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