The Sandbag Times Issue No:36

CONTENTS 

SBT News 

3 Veteran Elected New 

UKIP leader 

Henry Bolton, ex-army 

officer is elected new leader 

of UKIP 

3 Armoured Brigade in line 

for Cuts 

New defence cuts may 

mean the end of an 

armoured brigade 

4 British Soldiers in Las 

Vegas Aid 

Soldiers from Queens 

Dragoon Guards stepped in 

to help victims of Las Vegas 

Shooting 

5 Canada Government in 

Suicide Prevention Plan 

Canada’s government says 

it’s going to take a full look 

at how many veterans take 

their own lives after leaving 

the military. 

Features 

12 Off The Grid 

With Patron Matt Neal 

14 Tommy Atkins 

The latest from the centre 

Regular 

8 The Historical Tommy 

Atkins 

Cambrai 

17 Have Faith 

Caution: Christian in 

Training 

22 SBT Information 

A page dedicated to back 

issues, information, book 

reviews etc 

24 Remembrance 

Remembering the Fallen 

Ladies of Invictus 2017 Page 11 

Sponsors 

Editor: Pablo Snow 

Magazine Manager: Matt Jarvis 

Chief Sponsor: Ken Brooks 

Patro: Matt Neal 

Additional editors: 

Jacqueline Brooks 

Albert ‘Robbie’ McRobb 

Jane Shields 

Radio & Media Manager 

Jim Wilde 

Recording Engineer and PR 

Manager 

Vince Ballard 

VIP Distribution 

John Terry 

Tel: 01905 570590 

Email: info@sandbagtimes.com 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 

| 2 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk

NEWS 

UK Considering options for war 

Army Sergeant Attempted Murder Charge 

US Veteran Suicides Report 

Ex Army Officer Elected New Leader of UKIP 

Henry Bolton has been 

elected as the new leader 

of Ukip, becoming the 

party's fourth leader in 

just over a year. He 

replaces Paul Nuttall 

who resigned after the 

General Election. The 

little-known candidate 

beat the two front 

runners in the contest - 

anti-Islam campaigner Anne 

Marie Waters and London 

Assembly member Peter 

Whittle - to win with 3,874 

votes. Addressing party 

members, he said: "Brexit is 

our core task, however, it is 

not the end of the line. 

"When we leave the 

European Union, that is not 

the end of the story. We're 

UK Considering Preperations For War With North Korea 

British defence officials have 

reportedly been instructed to 

draw up plans in preparation for 

potential conflict with North 

Korea. The secretive communist 

state has conducted six nuclear 

tests in recent weeks and 

launched two missiles over 

Japan, increasing already fraught 

tensions between the US and its 

allies. News of Britain's 

preparedness comes days after 

Donald Trump took to Twitter to 

hint at military action against 

Kim Jong-un’s regime The US 

leader claimed that “only one 

thing will work” against the 

pariah state. Mr Trump also 

lambasted previous US 

presidential administrations’ for 

negotiating with North Korea. 

"Presidents and their 

administrations have been 

talking to North Korea for 25 

years," he tweeted. "Agreements 

made and massive amounts of 

money paid hasn’t worked, 

agreements violated before the 

ink was dry, making fools of US 

negotiators. Sorry, but only one 

thing will work!” 

Considerations have included 

bringing the new aircraft carrier, 

HMS Queen Elizabeth, into 

service early. The growing 

tension in North Korea will put 

pressure on the capability of the 

UK’s armed forces as the 

government prepares to make 

even more cuts in the coming 

budget. Cuts will include Royal 

Marines, two assault ships, 

reductions in the Army Air 

Corps and Armoured corps and 

reductions in RAF aircraft. 

Despite the cuts, an MOD 

spokesman said “We still have 

plenty of ships to send. 

Sir Michael Fallon Calls for More 

Defence Spending 

Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon broke 

ranks to demand a defence budget increase 

because he had been told Britain could no 

longer fight a conflict like Afghanistan. Sir 

Michael’s demands came after a crunch 

briefing in Whitehall five days previously, in 

which the heads of Britain’s Army, Royal 

Navy and Royal Air Force, submitted their 

assessments of their capabilities.Th e briefing, 

contained a raft of cost-cutting 

recommendations. Read More Here 

leaving the European Union 

because we as a nation want 

to have that right of self 

determination. "We want to 

be responsible for our own 

destiny, not decided in a 

foreign capital." In his 

victory speech at Ukip 

conference in Torquay, he 

called on members to rally 

around the party. Read More 

Armoured Brigade in 

Firing Line for Cuts 

General Sir Nick Carter, the 

head of the army, is said to be 

considering sacrificing one of 

the planned armoured brigades 

in an effort to balance the books 

after it was announced that the 

Armoured Infantry Vehicle, 

Warrior is to be upgraded. 

Army planners have to find 

more than £400m in cuts 

annually over the next three 

years. Britain’s military and 

counter-terrorism capability is 

being reviewed amid claims that 

plans to buy warships, jet 

fighters and submarines will be 

underfunded by more than 

£20bn over 10 years. Last week 

it emerged the navy could see 

its two amphibious assault 

ships, HMS Bulwark and HMS 

Albion, taken out of service, 

stripping the Royal Marines of 

the ability to attack beaches. 

Nicholas Drummond, a former 

army officer, warned that axeing 

a brigade would be a “disaster”. 

The MoD said: “No decisions 

have yet been made and at this 

stage any discussion of the 

options is pure speculation.” 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 3 |

NEWS 

National Veterans and Armed 

Forces Headlines 

British Soldiers Aid Las Vegas Victims 

Court Hears of Army Sergeant Attempted Murder 

An army sergeant who 

was having an affair 

attempted to murder his 

wife by sabotaging her 

parachute before a 

skydive he organised as a 

“treat”, a jury has been 

told. Emile Cilliers, 37, 

is accused of removing 

two vital components 

from the parachute rig, 

leaving Victoria Cilliers 

to plunge 4,000ft to the 

ground during her jump. 

Ms Cilliers survived the 

fall but sustained multiple 

injuries at Netheravon 

Airfield in Wiltshire on 5 

April 2015. Winchester 

Crown Court heard how 

Ms Cilliers sent a 

WhatsApp message to her 

husband jokingly asking 

whether he was “trying to 

kill her” several days 

before the skydive, after 

she found the gas valve in 

their kitchen was turned 

on and leaking. Less than 

two weeks later, Mrs 

Cilliers jumped out of a 

plane on the skydive 

organised by her husband, 

only to find that first her 

main parachute and then 

her backup chute failed to 

deploy. One of the UK’s 

top parachutists, and a 

WRAF Ladies Raise Money For Charity 

veteran of more than 

2,600 jumps, she used her 

skydiving skills to slow 

her descent to around 

30mph and avoid a 

tarmacked road to land in 

a field. Prosecutor 

Michael Bowes QC told 

the court Mr Cilliers was 

having an affair with both 

a woman he met on 

Tinder and his exwife.Mr 

Cilliers denies 

two counts of attempted 

murder and is accused of 

a third charge of 

damaging a gas valve at 

the couple’s home. 

Read more here. 

Six British soldiers have 

described their efforts to save 

lives during Sunday's Las Vegas 

massacre. The troops from 1st 

The Queen's Dragoon Guards 

were enjoying a short break 

from training in the desert when 

the shooting erupted. They ran 

towards the danger, shepherding 

people to safety and 

administering first aid to those 

trying to escape the gunfire. 

They had been in hotels close to 

the Mandalay Bay, from where 

Stephen Paddock opened fire on 

festivalgoers below. Trooper 

Ross Woodward told Sky News: 

"It is a decision that will live 

with me for the rest of my life 

but I would do the same thing 

again." The 23-year-old from 

Nottingham described trying to 

save a man with a gunshot 

wound to his back. The man 

died. "It was quite tough and I 

know it is a cliche but the 

training does kick in, it became 

second nature. "It was just 

chaos and panic and people 

needed my help and I just did 

what I could do." Trooper Chris 

May, 24, from Bognor Regis, 

said: "I feel that any British 

Army soldier who was in the 

same position being so close 

would have done exactly the 

same. Major Ben Parkyn paid 

tribute to his men's selflessness 

in seeking to help in such 

dangerous conditions. They are 

due to return home to the UK 

this weekend. Read More. 

Women's Royal Air Force 

(WRAF) Veterans Marie 

Kearney, Gill Mills, Susan 

McAtamney and Wendy Piper, 

visited the RAF Cosford Hive 

on 10th October 2017, to present 

a cheque for £300 to Jennifer 

Price of the Royal Air Force 

Benevolent Fund, on behalf of 

the Battle of Britain Memorial 

Flight.The donation was as a 

result of funds raised during an 

ex WRAF reunion held between 

6 - 8 July 2017 at Prince 

William of Gloucester Barracks, 

Grantham. A total of £900 was 

raised and donated to three 

different military charities by 65 

former members of the WRAF 

who undertook their basic 

training between 1960 and 1974 

at Prince William of Gloucester 

Barracks when it was known as 

WRAF Depot, RAF Spitalgate. 

The women travelled from all 

over the UK and abroad for the 

reunion, with one veteran 

coming from Holland and 

another from the Orkney 

Islands. Many of the veterans 

were accommodated in one of 

the old reception blocks. Marie 

Kearney, one of the reunion 

organisers said the WRAF 

Veterans enjoyed being able to 

meet up with old friends, (and 

make new ones) to share their 

happy memories of their time at 

RAF Spitalgate . She added: 

"The opportunity to tour the 

barracks and visit buildings that 

had not changed since our time 

there, and to be hosted for meals 

and events within the Sergeants’ 

Mess, was an opportunity we 

could not afford to miss.” 


NEWS 

International Headlines 

Veterans struggling with 

unemployment urge 

employers to look 

beyond misconceptions 

Suicide among U.S. military veterans 

higher in certain states' 

Suicide among military veterans is especially high in the western U.S. and rural areas, according to new 

government data that show wide state-by-state disparities and suggest social isolation, gun ownership and 

access to health care may be factors. The figures released Friday are the first-ever Department of Veterans 

Affairs data on suicide by state. It shows Montana, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico had the highest rates of 

veteran suicide as of 2014, the most current VA data available. Veterans in big chunks of those states must 

drive 70 miles or more to reach the nearest VA medical center. The suicide rates in those four states stood at 

60 per 100,000 individuals or higher, far above the national veteran suicide rate of 38.4. The overall rate in 

the West was 45.5. All other regions of the country had rates below the national rate. Other states with high 

veteran suicide rates, including West Virginia, Oklahoma and Kentucky, had greater levels of prescription 

drug use, including opioids. A VA study last year found veterans who received the highest doses of opioid 

painkillers were more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to those receiving the lowest doses. 

Expanding private-sector care and stemming veterans' suicide are priorities of President Donald Trump. In a 

statement this week as part of Suicide Prevention Month, Trump said the U.S. "must do more" to help 

mentally troubled veterans. US Veteran Suicides are still peaking at an average of 20 a day. Read More Here 

Canada Government launches new military suicide-prevention strategy 

Canada’s government says it’s going to take a full 

look at how many veterans take their own lives after 

leaving the military. The comprehensive 

examination is part of a National Defence and 

Veteran Affairs Canada’s suicide prevention strategy 

released on Thursday. A Globe and Mail 

investigation in 2015 found that in addition to the 

158 soldiers killed in the Afghanistan mission, at 

least 54 others soldiers and veterans killed 

themselves after returning home. The department 

Thursday that 130 soldiers have committed suicide 

since 2010 while serving in the military. However, 

it has struggled to keep track of veterans’ deaths 

because collecting information on because their 

medical files are spread across the country and fall 

under provincial jurisdiction. “We have to do 

better,” Veterans Minister Seamus O’Regan said 

Thursday. “We recognize the dire need for a suicide 

prevention strategy.” Beginning in December, 

Veterans Affairs and Statistics Canada will begin 

reporting on the rates of suicides among veterans. 

Pre-conceived notions about 

former Australian Defence 

Force personnel are making it 

tough for veterans to find a 

job. About 30 per cent of 

veterans are unemployed, 

according to WithYouWithMe, 

a company that matches 

veterans' skills with new 

careers. The company hosted 

the careers expo in Sydney, 

where about 25 businesses 

were on show in an effort to 

help the 150 veterans who 

turned up to look for a job. 

Tom Moore, the founder of 

WithYouWithMe, has more 

than eight years' experience in 

the military, including service 

in Afghanistan where he led a 

combat team into Kandahar 

Province in 2013. Mr Moore 

left the Army after problems 

with his legs and knows first 

hand re-entering civilian life is 

not always easy. Mr Moore 

eventually found work after 

cold-calling company CEOs. 

The WithYouWithMe program 

involves mentoring veterans to 

find their new mission in life 

and train them up for jobs in 

industries with a high demand 

for workers. "Veterans are 

brilliant talent, it's just that we 

don't know what's out there, 

so we fire a shot gun round 

instead of a sniper bullet 

when we transition," Mr Moore 

said. "Employers love the 

values that veterans bring, but 

in Australia they really haven't 

captured that yet." A 

WithYouWithMe report found 

the veteran unemployment 

rate was five times higher than 

the national average. It has 

placed 172 veterans in jobs 

since it started in May last 

year and is looking to expand 

to the United States in six 

months. Read More Here 


Afghanistan Veteran Strikes Gold At Invictus Games 

A VETERAN who had his left leg ripped 

apart by a bomb in Afghanistan eight years 

ago says he is the proudest man in the world 

after achieving gold medal glory at the 

Invictus Games. 

Greg Dunnings, who works at the School of 

Military which is based on Brewery Lane in 

Leigh, won gold for the UK in the four-minute 

indoor rowing event in Canada. The 26-yearold 

also came agonisingly close to winning the 

one-minute row in Toronto, Canada, missing 

out by just five metres in picking up a silver 

medal. Greg said: “Competing in the Invictus 

Games was an absolutely amazing experience 

and I am so proud to have won a gold and 

silver medal. “All the 5am training sessions I 

put myself through were worthwhile. "I 

Would you 

like to get 

better 

sleep? 

trained really hard for the games and was fully 

focused but it was not until I got there that I 

realised how good the games and the 

competitors are.” He also finished seventh in 

the shot put and competed in the discus and 50 

metres freestyle and breaststroke swimming 

events. Greg is no stranger to competing, 

having won several strongman competitions in 

the past and earned a silver medal at the WPC 

European Powerlifting and Single Lift 

Championships in Stoke last year. He had 

previously played rugby for the Army. Greg 

was medically discharged from the 1st 

Battalion Coldstream Guards in 2014 after an 

improvised explosive device (IED) left him 

with horrific injuries to his legs. A skilled 

surgeon managed to save his legs but Greg 

spent four weeks in hospital, four months in a 

wheelchair and four months on crutches. His 

platoon sergeant died in the explosion and 

another soldier lost both his legs. Greg added: 

“One of the best things about the games was 

meeting other athletes from different nations. 

"It made me realise that no matter where you 

are in the world there is always someone there 

who has been through similar experiences. 

“I definitely made some friends for life.” He 

now works as a military mentor in schools, 

using his experience to pass on practical skills 

SBT News Special 

to children.Greg, from Preston, will start a new 

career as a firefighter for the Lancashire Fire 

and Rescue Service in January. The eight-day 

Invictus Games, an international Paralympicstyle 

games for wounded, injured or sick 

armed forces personnel and veterans instigated 

by Prince Harry, ended on Saturday. 

Nightmares can be very frightening and have a significant impact on sleep quality 

and overall functioning. They can also be repetitive and linked to traumatic or 

adverse life events from the past. The good news is that there is a very effective 

technique that you can learn that will permanently stop your old nightmares, and 

provide you with the tools to deal with any future ones. This can be taught by 

watching my video. The skill is explained fully and safely and is extremely effective. 

Justin Havens 

Psychological Therapist 

FDA BA BENG MSC MBACP (ACR) 

Approved by the Help for Heroes Research Approvals Committee and 

Anglia Ruskin University’s Ethics Committee. 

For more information please contact 

me on 

07976 724181 

or email: mail@justinhavens.com 


The Historical Tommy Atkins 

Veterans – 

History in 

the 

Making 

By Peter Macey 

Special Order No. 6 

A cold biting wind swept across the parade square at 

Bovington in late November as the Royal Tank 

Regiment stood to attention on a Regimental Parade. 

Dressed in their familiar black tank suits and belts 

their black berets bore the distinctive silver RTR cap 

badge. A lone trooper, the youngest in the 

Regiment, broke rank and marched forward before 

coming to a smart halt ahead of the Parade. He 

cleared his throat before starting to recite an Order 

that had been written by Major General Hugh Elles, 

Commander Royal Tank Corps, nearly 100 years 

before. 

Church bells rang out in Britain on the eve of 20th 

November 1917. Many who heard them might have 

assumed that the War was over. It had been said that 

the bells of churches and chapels up and down the 

Country would remain silent until the cessation of 

fighting and they had not rung since the start of 

hostilities in 1914. But the bells chimed out that 

day. Not for the end of War, but in celebration of a 

famous victory for the British forces at a decisive 

and game changing battle at Cambrai in Northern 

France. The British had in effect broken through 

what was known as the Hindenburg Line, a German 

defensive fortification on the Western Front that ran 

from Arras to Laffaux, some 90 miles long. And not 

only that, they had advance over five miles into 

enemy territory within 24 hours. 

In the early hours of the morning just after 6am 

German troops based at their stronghold around the 

small French town were awoken as over one 

thousand British artillery guns opened up in unison 

bombarding their positions in the outlying desolate 

fields that were once farmland, with a barrage of 

thousands of shells causing death and destruction. 

But within ten minutes the guns fell silent and 

smoke was set off to cover the whole area as an 

almost silent advance started with infantry and 

cavalry. Then the silence was broken by the 

squeaking, clanking and growling of heavy armour 

as nearly 220 British Mk IV tanks rolled towards the 

enemy positions in a terrifying display of might and 

military power. 

The first use of tank technology goes back as far as 

the 15th Century when it was proposed to apply 

armour to wagons although the concept of selfpropelled 

weaponry did not come about until 1903 

when a French Artillery Captain, Léon Levavasseur 

proposed his Levavasseur project, a canon 

autopropulseur or self-propelled cannon. Using a 

caterpillar track system for movement and fully 

armoured for protection the vehicle was designed to 

carry three people along with ammunition and able 

to be an all-terrain vehicle which could cross 

trenches and rough ground as well as being almost 

impregnable to most of the ammunition and 

weaponry of the day. In the same year famous early 

science fiction author, H G Wells published a short 

story, The Land Ironclads in a London magazine 

about armoured tanks with pedrail wheels breaking 

through armoured trench systems and fortifications 

with ease. 

The first appearance of tanks on a battlefield came 

in September 1916 in the form of the British Mk 1 

tanks. Just fewer than fifty were deployed at the 

Battle of Flers-Courselette, part of the Battle of the 

Somme, but with mixed results. Most broke down 

and became sitting targets for artillery and mortar 

fire although a third managed to keep going and 

broke through enemy lines. But success was limited 

and so the development of tanks went on. 

The Battle of Cambrai was the brainchild of General 

John Fuller, a staff officer with 7 Corps in France. 

Fuller and his supporters convinced the hierarchy 

that an armoured breakthrough was the only real 

way to break the stalemate that had developed in the 

War in 1917. And Fuller knew exactly how to do it 

particularly when the Commander Royal Artillery, 

Major General Henry Tudor agreed to support the 

plans. Tudor was keen to test out his newly 

developed Artillery-Infantry techniques and knew 

this would be a perfect operation on which to do 

this. And with the Cavalry on board to support such 

an act the planning for a surprise attack was set in 

motion. 


In utmost secrecy the previous evening all troops and 

equipment were in place hidden in woods undetected 

and ready for the next day. Although the mission 

was secret, through their intelligence services the 

Germans knew an attack was imminent but were 

unaware of the ferocity of what was about to happen. 

The first day was a huge success when a number of 

key factors all seemed to fall into place. Artillery 

had been practicing predicted fire patterns which 

increased accuracy with the assistance of air support 

from the Royal Flying Corps and infantry and 

cavalry tactics, which had been worked on 

intensively since 1915 suddenly appeared to work. 

This was not taking any of the success away from the 

tanks but all were playing a part. The difference 

being using this n umber of tanks in battle was an 

innovation. The Mark VI tanks literally crossed over 

trenches, with the use of fascines made of bundles of 

wood, and were driven through the wood and wire 

fortifications allowing the supporting cavalry horses 

and infantrymen to take important ground. By 

nightfall and the cessation of fighting for the day, 5 

miles had been covered with the British taking 8000 

German prisoners and capturing around 100 German 

artillery guns. 

But after the British successes of what was seen as 

the first effective use of tanks in any war resulting in 

excitement back in Britain, the tide was about to turn 

once again. The British had failed to reach their main 

objective; the high ground of Bourlon Ridge and the 

German command were quick to reinforce the area 

overnight. When the battle resumed on 21st 

November the pace of the British was greatly 

reduced. South of Cambrai the commanders ordered 

the British troops to reinforce rather than continue 

the march forward while the fighting around the 

ridge was intense. More tanks and soldiers were 

poured into the battle and for one of the first times in 

the war air battles ensued between the RFC and 

German Luftwaffe when the German high command 

called on the expert services of Manfred Von 

Richthofen, known as the Red Baron, and considered 

the greatest of all pilots during WWI. 

On the ground only half the tanks that had started, 

which now numbered nearly 450, were still fully 

operational and after pushing back and forth around 

Bourlon eventually on 28th November the ridge was 

taken by the British who were ordered to go to 

ground and dig in. The following day over 16,000 

German rounds were fired into the woods where the 

British were encamped. At this stage the British held 

a line over 6 miles long. Then on 30th November 

the German counter-attack started. The initial speed 

of the German infantry was totally unexpected by the 

British who were caught off guard. In the South the 

advance was spread of the German attack was over 8 

miles wide and took ground easily from the 

exhausted British. The fighting around the ridge 

itself was more intense and whilst the defenses were 

impressive it allowed the German troops to move in 

other areas that were less well defended. Only the 

arrival of more British tanks that evening allowed for 

some form of line to be held although it had been 

pushed back. And the German capture of Bonvais 

Ridge made the British hold on the nearby Bourlon 

Ridge precarious. 

On 3rd December Lord Haig ordered a withdrawal 

and by 7th December all British gains were 

abandoned except for a small portion of the 

Hindenburg Line around Havrincourt. The Germans 

had in effect exchanged their initial loss of land with 

a territorial sweep of land to the South. 

In Bovington the young Trooper recited Special 

Order No. 6. 

“Tomorrow the Tank Corps will have the chance for 

which it has been waiting for many months, to 

operate on good going in the van of the battle. 

All that hard work and ingenuity can achieve has 

been done in way of preparation. 

It remains for unit commanders and for tank crews to 

complete the work by judgement and pluck in the 

battle itself. 

In the light of past experience I leave the good name 

of the Corps with great confidence in their hands. 

I propose leading the attack of the centre division” 

The Battle of Cambrai was seen as the most 

successful use of tanks in warfare and would lead to 

changes in battlefield tactics that would be used to 

this date in tank warfare. 

There were around 45,000 casualties on both sides 

during the 18 days of the operation with over 11,000 

German soldiers being taken prisoner and around 

9,000 British also being taken prisoner. 

The 20th November is celebrated annually as 

Cambrai Day by the Royal Tank Regiment with a 

Regimental Parade where the youngest Trooper in 

the Regiment recites Special Order no. 6, in 

remembrance of the bravery and successes of that 

famous tank battle. 

Have you take part in any Cambrai parade or 

celebration or were your relatives involved in this 

battle? If so we would like to hear from you. Please 

get in contact with SBT or see this and other articles 

at Forgotten Veterans UK (FVUK) on FB and the 

website. Please share your experiences and thoughts 

with us or if you would like a military event in your 

past researched let us know. 


ALL SOLDIERS RUN AWAy 

All Soldiers 

Run Away: 

Alano’s War: The Story 

of a British Deserter 

By Andy Owen 

What is the extent of a soldier’s duty? 

Under the vast majority of the world’s military 

criminal codes, punishments for the crime 

of desertion range from prison time to the 

death penalty. And yet, from the American Civil 

War (wherein the Union Army saw somewhere 

in the range of 200,000 desertions) to the Iraq 

War (it’s estimated that about 40,000 troops 

from all branches of the U.S. military have 

deserted), the numbers tell a chilling story 

about the immensity of this rarely discussed 

issue – and the realities of war’s impact on 

those who serve. 

The non-fiction debut from Andy Owen – a 

British Army veteran who has completed 

operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and 

Afghanistan – All Soldiers Run Away: Alano’s 

War, The Story of a British Deserter [Lammi 

Publishing, November 1 2017] offers unique 

and rare insight into the story of a deserter – 

and urgent, thought-provoking analysis of the 

broader philosophical, moral, and ethical questions 

that surround this controversial subject. 

All Soldiers Run Away is centered on WWII-era 

British soldier Alan Juniper, and his 

experiences in the war’s North African and 

Italian Campaigns – which saw him arrested 

and thrown in military prison for deserting… 

twice. 

In an evocative, painstakingly researched narrative, 

All Soldiers Run Away takes readers 

through Juniper’s life and experiences as a soldier 

in war-torn North Africa and central Italy, 

relying on archived documents, rediscovered 

diaries, and testimony from Juniper’s family – 

who only became aware of the scale of Alan’s 

story sixty years after the fact, when the onset 

of Alzheimer’s made his previously undiagnosed 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder more 

acute. 

Through the story of Alan Juniper and contrasting 

desertions from the same war and 

more recent conflicts, All Soldiers Run Away 

looks at some of the reasons soldiers desert – 

and how we do, and should, respond to their 

desertion. As the book progresses, Owen also 

weaves his own experience of battle into the 

narrative, resulting in what University of Oxford 

Professor of Political Philosophy Cécile Fabre 

calls “a challenging and, at times, profoundly 

moving book.” 

“Before being faced with the outline of Alan’s 

story, I made an assumption that there was 

something inherently unethical in the act of 

desertion itself,” says Owen. “But clearly, like 

other moral and legal offenses, context is 

important. 

“My initial negative response was shaped by 

the context I know,” he continues. “I served 

in a volunteer army with modern logistic support, 

with limited operation tour dates. 

Understanding the context around Alan’s 

desertion forced me to challenge some of my 

beliefs about how a soldier should be and why 

I thought the way I thought.” 

A timely and provocative read that raises larger 

questions about what we owe the 

societies we are part of, All Soldiers Run Away 

reveals: 

• The true scale of the horrors soldiers had to 

endure in WWII, and our fading recognition 

and remembrance for those impacted 

• The intrinsic link between duties and rights 

• The moral, philosophical, and ethical dilemmas 

that desertion poses, and why it continues 

to be such a controversial and rarely discussed 

reality of war 

• The two types of hero: one more obvious 

and widely regaled than the other 

• The circumstances in which all soldiers run 

away 

About the Author: 

Andy Owen served in the Intelligence Corps of 

the British Army reaching the rank of 

Captain. He completed operational tours in 

Northern Ireland (2003), Iraq (2004 and 2005) 

and in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (2007). 

All Soldiers Run Away is his third book 

following the novels East of Coker (2016) published 

by the War Writer’s Campaign and 

Invective (2014). 

Connect with Andy Owen on Twitter. 

All Soldiers Run Away: Alano’s War, The Story 

of a British Deserter is currently available 

for pre-order via Lammi Publishing, and will be 

available in paperback and e-book 

editions wherever books are sold as of 

November 1, 2017. 

Advance review copies of All Soldiers Run 

Away are available on request. 


WRAF AT THE INVICTUS GAMES 

WRAF Warrant Officer Edna 

"Ted" Hilditch at Invictus 2017 

On the 18th September 2017 myself and 5 

other retired members of the WRAF embarked 

on what was to be a most amazing experience. 

We had all applied to become a volunteer 

on the Invictus 

Games website last 

November after a 

number of 

ladies who 

had worked 

at the 

Florida 

Invictus 

Games 

in 2016 

had 

encouraged 

us to 

come ‘Over 

the Pond’ as 

they call it. In 

February after all 

the preliminaries were 

completed and we were 

accepted we set about booking 

flights and accommodation. As we were all selffunded 

we decided to rent a house on the outskirts 

of Toronto to keep costs down. All training 

was done online which included Health and 

Safety along with how to deal with people with 

disabilities. We met up with 2 of the ladies, 

Amanda who lives in Toronto and Nicola who 

had flown in from Washington DC on our first 

day and Amanda had made a special t-shirt for 

us with EX WRAF’s on Tour logo. 

most humbling experience, they couldn’t 

believe we had paid for our trip from the UK. 

We did manage to catch up with some of the 

games on the big screens they had sited 

around the hotel 

We met many of the athletes but one, in particular, 

I was keen to meet, Mark Ormrod 

whom I had been following 

on Facebook and had 

also seen him on 

the Alan 

Titchmarsh 

Gardening 

programme 

some 

weeks 

beforehand. 

Luckily 

enough 

Mark came 

to collect his 

medal cases, 2 

silvers and 2 

bronzes whilst I was 

on duty and he kindly 

agreed to have his photograph 

taken with me. It was great to be able to support 

the UK team but every team member was 

very friendly and thanked us for our support. 

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were 

absolutely wonderful and we all agreed 'it was 

an absolute privilege to be part of something 

so special' 

On Wednesday 20th September everyone 

reported to the Sheraton Hotel which was to be 

the ‘Village’ for all the athletes and their friends 

and families. We made our way to the accreditation 

desk for our passes and uniform, yellow 

polo shirts, yellow jacket and the compulsory 

baseball cap! The shifts started on Thursday, 

working for 10 days doing a variety of jobs 

including restricting access to certain areas, 

taking in meal ticket's, giving information out to 

all the athletes as well as the friends and families 

and distributing medal boxes to those who 

had won either of the 3-medal’s awarded. It was 

a different job each day which kept everyone on 

their toes. We stayed after our shift to meet the 

UK team arriving at the hotel on the Friday 

which was brilliant. Seeing the surprise on their 

faces when we held up the Union Flag and the 

RAFA Flag was a sight to behold. 

We had one day off where we organised a trip 

to Niagara Falls for those ladies who had not 

visited before. The weather was very warm during 

our stay which wasn't quite what was 

expected but enjoyed nevertheless. We only 

managed to get to see the athletics at the Fort 

York Centre because of our shift system which 

was a disappointment but to be able to meet 

and chat to all the athletes in the hotel was a 


Off The Grid 

BTCC Standings 2017 

Drivers Championship 

1. ASHLEY SUTTON 372pts 

2. COLIN TURKINGTON 351pts 

3. TOM INGRAM 311pts 

4. GORDON SHEDDEN 309pts 

5. ROB COLLARD 256pts 

6. JACK GOFF 245pts 

7. MATT NEAL 243pts 

Manufacturers Championship 

1 BMW/WSR 782 

2 Subaru/BMR 751 

3 Honda/Dynamics 726 

4 Vauxhall/PMR 580 

5 MG/888 369 

The SBT would like to congratulate 

Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden, 

Halfords Yuasa Honda and Team 

Dynamics on a brilliant season. 

We are very privilleged to have 

Matt Neal as the official patron for 

our magazine and look forward to 

support him and the whole team in 

2018. Until then we have a few 

jobs for Matt!! 


The Tommy Atkins Centre 

Warriors, Exiles, Auctions and Tommy Atkins 

Worcester Warriors and London Irish are 

just two of the amazing organisations that 

has pledged support to the Tommy Atkins 

Veterans Centre in Worcester. 

The two rugby premiership teams have 

both donated to the coming Charity 

Auction at the official opening onf the centre. 

London Irish presented our editor with 

a signed ruby ball to sell at the auction and 

they very kindly gave a second signed ball 

to Pablo for his work with veterans. As a 

London Irish fan himself he has placed this 

ball in pride of place in his home. The 

Sandbag Times, Tommy Atkins Centre and 

London Irish wil soon be linking for some 

future projects, something which we all are 

very excited about. Worcester Warriors, 

our local premiership team are also helping 

out in various ways. To start with the 

Warriors have already donated 10 seats 

from one of their boxes for the London Irish 

fixture on 22nd December at Sixways 

Stadium. The Tommy Atkins Centre will 

also be teaming up with the Worcester 

Warriors foundation to get involved with the 

community rugby project. The project is 

already in place helping those, who don’t 

normally get the opportunity to play rugby 

through many reason, to get involved with 

the sport in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. 

Simon Northcott, Army and Police veteran 

spearheads the foundation. The 

Foundation is now opening it’s doors to 

veterans to get back into society not only 

to integrate them back into the community 

but to rebuild confidence and to start working 

within a team again. Very exciting times 

ahead. 

Also in the charity auction are three signed 

albums from Pink Floyd Drummer, Nick 

Mason’s personal collection, we have two 

signed canvasses from Black Halo 

Designs, a signed print from Jacqueline 

Hurley’s War Poppy Collection, a signed 

framed first edition print of the Parachute 

Regiment by military artist Clare Villar, 

signed British Touring Car Championship 

memorabilia by SBT Patron and three 

times BTCC champion, Matt Neal, two 

lovely vintage bottle of wine supplied by 


Chestnut Tree public house landlord, Colin 

‘Mad Pierre’ Robinson plus lots, lots more. 

All proceeds from the day will go to the 

Tommy Atkins Centre. 

The Tommy Atkins Centre officially opens at 

1330hrs on 12th November 2017 with the 

charity auction commencing soon after. The 

Chestnut Tree is offering all veterans a free 

first pint with food and entertainment also 

during the day. 

Finally, the Sandbag Times would like to 

introduce you to the two ladies who make 

the Tommy Atkins Centre happen. Ms Jane 

Shields and Ms Marie Kearney 

Hi all, 

A warm welcome awaits all visitors to our 

newly opened veterans centre here in 

Worcester from Marie and myself (Jane). We 

are both eager to meet up with all our local 

veterans and show them around the centre, 

discuss the opportunities we can offer them 

if they are interested, and to share a friendly 

chat over a cuppa and a slice of cake. 

Whether you’re looking for specific help, 

you’re in a crisis, or you’re just plain bored 

and in need of some companionship, do 

please pop in and say hello. We will do 

our very best to assist you. Also, as a 

point of note The Royal British Legion have 

expressed a big interest in running a pop in 

centre here along with us, so we’ll keep 

you posted on the progress of that great 

venture, and The Tommy Atkins team are 

very keen to provide some beneficial specialized 

courses for our local veterans early 

in the New Year, along with some exciting 

workshop activities for those who are interested, 

so please do pop in when you are 

able to and find out what we can offer you, 

this is your centre, please tell us your 

needs and we will try our best for you all. 

Opening hours are currently Tuesdays and 

Thursdays 0930 – 1530 however we can be 

flexible with these times should the need 

arise. 

Take care, and please come and have a 

chat anytime you’re nearby. 26 Sansome 

Walk, Worcester or call me on 07731 

729259 for more information 

Look forwards to meeting you all 

Marie and Jane xx 

Tommy Atkins Centre Charity Auction 

The Chestnut Tree, Lansdowne Road, Worcester 

12 November 2017 2:30pm 


Canada 

CANADA CALLING 

Here is a photo of the Flags in PEI raised by Charlene McInnis and 

Debbie Reid with a team of Volunteers. Bravo Zulu to all on the wee 

red island. 

Calling 

TheCanuckConnection 

-.-. .- -. .- -.. .- / -.-. .- .-.. .-.. .. -. --. 

Any older Jimmies, Sparkies, may remember your Morse Code. Not 

sure what the Airforce called their radio Ops. 

Well the Invictus games were completed a Great Time was had by 

all according to all the media reports. Once again a Resounding 

bravo Zulu to not only the competitors, the Volunteers and the 

organisers, But to MAYOR JOHN TORY of the great City of 

Toronto. See ya in Oz 2018. 

Meanwhile the childish Rhetoric between the USA and N Korea 

certainly has many on edge. WW3 No one that I know wants to see 

Armageddon in our lifetimes. So Donald and Kim better get with the 

program and cease their childish threats. 

Canada sadly once again is looking for used 

equipment for the military. Not submarines this 

time but used Fighter Aircraft from the 

RAAF. Yes the Royal Australian Airforce. 

As one brother apprentice Patrick Buzzel put 

it…..Why not have Bombardier build a 

Canadian fighter after all we had the Arrow 

once upon a time. In fact it was years ahead of 

its time as a supersonic Jet Fighter. 

Sadly the chief himself ordered this aircraft destroyed. But if the PM 

is interested there is yet another brother Apprentice Norm Hieb 

working on a 1/3 flying model of the Arrow in a Hangar in 

Edmonton. 

Today’s military humour comes from an Army Brat: 

While in High Scholl we were tasked with speaking to veterans of 

WW2. Seeing as how my father was serving in the far East most of 

the war, I asked him a very pertinent question? 

“Dad when you were in the war did you ever kill anyone” 

My dad got very quiet as he answered 

“Probably I was a Cook.” 

Till Next Issue Stay Safe 

Nil Sine Labore 

Robby 

Sadly Canada has not 

purchased new aircraft, 

ships, Armoured vehicles in 

a number of years. Going 

back to the possibility of 

WW3, the majority of 

Canadians are unaware that 

the USA is not obligated to 

defend Canada from missile 

strikes. 

http://www.news.com.au/national/canada-moves-toward-buyingaustralian-fighter-jets-upping-ante-in-trade-dispute-withboeing/news-story/1d0f8fcd852512fc558b02b6739ec73b 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-defendcanada-attack-north-korea-missile-nuclear-donald-trump-norada7950061.html 

So much for our longest undefended border? Eh? 

We will end on a much happier note this issue, A HUGE Bravo Zulu 

to Al Cameron and his teams of hard working Volunteers for their 

efforts in this years Flags of Remembrance. Once again in many 

provinces and towns. Let’s try and make Al’s dream come true in 

2018 with Flags of Remembrance Coast to Coast to Coast. 


HAVE FAITH 

Caution: Christian in Training 

Here is something which may be controversial to many of our 

readers. In a recent conversation with a good friend, I was 

asked if I was religious. My answer was “No”. My friend then 

said, “But you are a Christian” Again I said “No”. Confused, 

my friend then asked how I saw myself. I said I have my faith 

but to me it is a very personal thing. I do not consider myself 

worthy to be a Christian because I fail to meet the standards 

of Christianity on a regular basis. I said I am learning to be a 

Christian but I am not there yet. I am an apprentice Christian. 

In my mind, a Christian is someone who follows the teachings 

of Christ, is full of love, forgiveness, humility and who does 

not regard himself/ herself in a position above others. Their 

life is selfless, full of good deeds and helps those less fortunate. 

They also do not judge others. 

As a member of the human race, it is incredibly difficult to be 

a true Christian, in fact the only person I know that has ever 

pulled it off is Jesus himself. Again, in my mind, this is something 

that all of us fail to achieve just due to the fact that we 

are human. But that’s OK. We know that Jesus gave his life 

for us so all sins will be forgiven. What this really means is, 

God knows we are not perfect and we need to learn the ways 

of Christianity by making mistakes. Like a father loves his 

children, he is there to show us the way when we get it 

wrong. But as a loving parent, he loves us regardless of what 

we do. He stands by us. So, like a child learning to be an 

adult, to me, being a Christian is my goal but I am not there 

yet. I still need to learn. My life is like an apprenticeship, a 

school for Christianship. Learning the ways of our Lord until 

the day we stand before him, are judged and are finally qualified 

as a true Christian. Our reward is an eternal place in 

Heaven. That’s the qualification that I am striving for. 

I know this is not how everyone thinks and I know many people 

will disagree with me and that’s fine. But it’s a good way 

of thinking about what our life is all about. By thinking this 

way keeps my life real and doesn’t put me in a place of being 

a spiritual know-it-all or a hypocrite. That is a danger I try to 

avoid. I also don’t want to be seen as a conditional Christian. 

One who preaches the word of God but will fit that word to 

suit their life. This is something which is very commonplace 

today. Consider the person who has done you wrong in the 

past. You forgive them the wrong they have done to you but 

do not speak to them anymore or have anything else to do 

with them. Is this a Christian thing to do? Absolutely not. 

This is the human way of adapting Christianity to our own 

purposes. Imagine if God did that. It doesn’t bear thinking 

about. 

it? The answer is simple, none of us are perfect and we are all 

in training. We all need to learn. We all get it wrong at times 

and we need to learn from those mistakes and be forgiven in 

order to gain our qualification. I must point out that this is 

just my own thoughts and just how I see things. But I do 

hope that there may be something within this reflection which 

will help your own personal journey. 

2 Corinthians 13:1-14 

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must 

be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I 

warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I 

warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my 

second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them— since 

you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak 

in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was 

crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we 

also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with 

him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see 

whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not 

realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— 

unless indeed you fail to meet the test! ... 

Now, Jesus taught us how we need to be and made it very 

clear so the Christian way was, in no way, up for discussion 

or debate. It is written very clearly in the bible how we should 

be so that there would be no confusion? So why do we 

adapt the laws of God to our own laws? Why do we change 

the word of God just because we don’t feel comfortable with 



TO ORDER PLEASE CALL: 01226 734222 

ORDER ONLINE: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk 

PEN AND SWORD BOOKS LTD 

47 CHURCH STREET BARNSLEY SOUTH YORKSHIRE S70 2AS

Rippon VBC 

Nearly 40 at Ripon today 

with the lads from 7 Sqn 

reunion turning up 

Grimsby VBC 

A great Morning at Grimsby 

BC, excellent turn out 

Scunthorpe 

VBC 

23 members at 

Scunthorpe 

Breakfast club 

today. Good time 

had by all. 


Veterans Breakfast Clubs 

The VBC Website has now been 

revamped/redesigned and is now live. There are 

several new features including a Post Code search 

facility that brings up the five nearest Breakfast 

Clubs to your Post Code, and we now have a News 

feature and links to the current issues of the Sandbag 

Times and much more. To make it easier for people 

to get to it, funds have been made available to allow 

the acquisition of more domain names. 

The new address is www.afvbc.co.uk and the old 

address is pointed at the new site. 

The main alteration is that the email addresses have 

changed from:- 

Support@VeteransBreakfastClubs.co.uk 

to 

Support@AFVBC.co.uk 


A word from the Ed 

Hi-Di-Hi Campers, hope you’ve 

all had a great month. I have to 

say the past 28 days has been the 

most rewarding since we started. 

Back at the start of last year, my 

dream was to use the magazine to 

positively help veterans in a 

realistic but effective way. I 

wanted veterans to get help when 

they needed it and not 3 or 4 

years after they asked for it like 

some of us have experienced. 

Well, I am so glad to say that after 

much hard work and the good 

generosity of many people, the 

dream became a reality and the 

Tommy Atkins Centre opened it’s 

doors for the first time three 

weeks ago. Already, I’m glad to 

say other areas are asking about it 

and wondering how they can set 

up their own centre. We are also 

forming alliances with other 

major organisations such as the 

Worcester Warriors Foundation 

and the London Irish Community 

projects. More on that over the 

next few months when we’ve had 

time to chat and put together 

some plans but it is looking very 

promising and exciting. 

Talking of promising things, I 

would also like to thank all who 

have donated items for the auction 

on the official launch day of the 

centre. Especially to Pink Floyd 

drummer, Nick Mason for the 

very kind donation of three signed 

albums from his personal 

collection. (We are already 

getting offers on those of 

particularly high figures), also to 

Bernard Cornwall, Jacqueline 

Hurly, Black Halo Designs and a 

huge thank you to my old friend 

Colin ‘Mad Pierre’ Robinson of 

the Chestnut Tree public house in 

Worcester who is not only 

providing the location of the 

auction, feeding and entertaining 

us, but is also donating a few lots 

himself including two very fine 

bottles of vintage wine. Veterans 

will also get their first pint free as 

a thank you from Colin. That’s it 

for now, see you all soon, Px 

Ways to find us 

The Sandbag Times 

www.sandbagtimes.com 

thesandbagtimes 

@thesandbagtimes 

info@sandbagtimes.com 

A Song For A Hero 

“The Brand New Rock Opera which tells the truth of what 

happens to our heroes when the killing ends. Packed with 

incredible songs, breathtaking graphics and an emotional 

rollercoaster of a story that will leave you asking 

questions for a long time to come.” 

Where Do They Go... 

...When the Killing Ends 


SPONSORED BY: 

SPONSORED BY: 

Information 

Line of Fire 

Andy McNab 

You Count It In 

The Wootown Hillbillies 

One of my favourite bands in Worcester has done it 

again. Their latest album ‘You Count It In’ is an 

absolute cracker. Check out their facebook site for 

full details on how to get hold of a copy. 

Definitely one for your collection 

Sisters of War 

Nick Stone is back on home turf but if he 

thought he was home for a break he's very, 

very wrong. 

Backed into a corner and forced to agree to a 

devil's bargain, Stone is charged with 

tracking down a world-class hacker whose 

work might threaten the stability of the 

western world as we know it. These are 

dangerous waters and Stone is quickly in 

over his head. Before he knows which way 

to turn, the choice is ripped out of his 

hands. 

Claire van der Boom 

Sarah Snook 

Khan Chittenden 

The lives of two Australian 

women, Lorna Whyte, an army 

nurse, and Sister Berenice 

Twohill, a Catholic nun, from New 

South Wales during World War II. We 

watched this film a few weeks ago and I 

personally recommend this. Brilliant 

film. 

Back issues of The Sandbag Times are available to download here 

$ " 

# ! 

 

 

!$ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.sandbagtimes.co.uk 23|

Remembrance 

2ndLieutenant Cyril Stuart Embrey MC MID, 

1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment 

12 October 1918 

On this day in 1918, Second Lieutenant Cyril 

Stuart Embrey MC MID, 1st/6th Battalion, 

South Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in 

action at Bohain Wood near Aisne in France, 

during the Hundred Days Offensive. 

Read More Here 

Lance Corporal Michael Taylor, Charlie 

Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines 


On this day in 2010 Lance Corporal Michael 

Taylor from Charlie Company, 40 Commando 

Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan during 

an exchange of fire with insurgent forces 

in the Sangin district of Helmand province. 

Read more here 

Lance Corporal James Hill 

1st Battalion Coldstream Guards 


On this day in 2009, Lance Corporal James 

Hill of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in 

Afghanistan was killed in an explosion near 

Camp Bastion. 


Lieutenant William Hamo Vernon 

4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers 


On this day in 1916, Lieutenant William 

Hamo Vernon, 4th Battalion, The Royal 

Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), was 

reported as missing in action, presumed 

killed, during the Battle of Le Transloy 

Ridges on the Somme. 


Lieutenant Ellis Edward Arthur Chetwynd 

Talbot GC MBE, Corps of Royal Engineers 


On this day in 1941, Lieutenant Ellis Edward 

Arthur Chetwynd Talbot GC MBE, Corps of 

Royal Engineers (attached to the R.A.F.), was 

reported missing, believed killed while flying 

over Sicily. 


Lieutenant Harold Firth, 

6th Battalion, 

The Yorkshire Regiment 


on this day in 1917, Lieutenant Harold Firth, 

6th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was 

killed in action at the Battle of Poelcapelle in 

Flanders. 

Read more here 

Leading Signalman Henry Charles Seymour 

Royal Navy 


On this day in 1917, Leading Signalman 

Henry Charles Seymour died at sea when 

the HMS Begonia went down with all hands 

off Casablanca. 


Guardsman Jamie Janes 

1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards 


On this day in 2009, Guardsman Jamie 

Janes of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was 

mortally wounded by an IED whilst on a foot 

patrol near Nad e-Ali district, central 

Helmand province. 


History remembers, as it should 

these men who fought and died 

Whilst for their families left behind 

a dull sorrow tinged with pride. 

May God keep you safe 


Poetry Corner 

SEE THE HEART 

A child is born of innocent mind 

Trust fills the heart within 

A child is born pure of soul 

No prejudice or sin 

Take that child and teach it well 

Good or bad, it cannot tell 

Entrusted with an awesome role 

Be strong of heart and deep of soul 

In early days minds take form 

From what they see, their character born 

Not one arrives with religious thought 

Good or bad, this is taught 

We shape the world that lies ahead 

Let’s put our past mistakes to bed 

Let’s give our child the gift to see 

Equality in humanity 

Through care and love and thought and deeds 

To care for those with wants or needs 

See not the colour of the skin 

But just the heart that beats within 

Judge not by shape nor size 

Judge with head and not with eyes 

Heart and soul define a man 

Not what he cannot do, ……but can. 

Let’s not judge on visibility 

You can’t see all disability 

Do not seek to judge exterior 

Do not think that one’s inferior 

Some may seem a little less able 

But bring so much to life’s top table 

I know my weakness, show me your strength 

Will you be with me, if so to what length ? 

Together, stronger, enabled for longer 

A voice for fairness, to raise awareness 

Will you be meek, or the voice that we seek 

Will you stand where many cannot 

Please do not fail, the weak and the frail 

Remember as a child being taught 

By Bill Clayton 

Poetry Corner 

The Legion Man 

He stands with pride 

As well he might 

Medals upon his chest 

With memories of the fallen 

Who now are laid to rest 

The Legion Man 

Does all he can 

To make the world aware 

To open their eyes, to realise 

To take time out to care 

Passers-by, try to miss his eye 

They’re ever busy shoppers 

Far too keen to leave the scene 

Without giving a few spare coppers 

Just a Poppy red 

To remember the dead 

As a mark of thought and respect 

Is all he asks, a forlorn task 

Or too much to expect ? 

A tear begins to form 

In the corner of an eye 

A fleck of dust from a windy gust, 

Or a deep set memory’s cry ? 

Goodnight From ME 

Clinking glasses 

Lots of chatter 

I’ll stay here 

Don’t fancy a natter 

Too many people 

Most I don’t know 

Don’t know why 

I said I would go 

Not my kind of ‘do’ at all 

Miserable faces 

It’s not about just the old and bold 

From the dim and distant past 

Our world can’t seem to find a peace 

That is set to stay or last 

Even now they answer the call 

Sadly many in far lands fall 

More names added to the Arboretum Wall 

The Legion Man shakes his tin 

Tries to be heard above the din 

It’s just one day to mark the grave 

Of the young, the old, the slain, the brave 

He stands there for the sake of others 

Grieving mums, fallen brothers 

He stands for those who’ve gone before 

He stands for those who stand no more 

He stands for freedom, pride and faith 

For those gone early to their grave. 

Help him stand with great elan 

Remembering Flanders to Afghanistan 

Please dig deep, give what you can 

Restore the faith of the Legion man 


No laughs at all 

Glad I have my ear plugs in 

Helps me keep out the awful din 

Then someone comes to close 

the door 

Never seen that face before 

No celebration, my mistake 

Not a party, it’s my wake. 

Goodnight. 


Win This Fantastic Title. 

This unusual and beautiful book collects together twenty five of the often read, well-loved poets. Each poet 

is illustrated with an original watercolor portrait by the talented young artist, Charlotte Zeepvat, who 

reproduces in pleasing script one of their works, giving a biographical summary that placed the poet firmly 

in the battlefield context in which their work was conceived. 

To have a chance at winning this fabulous book, simply email your poetry to: 

jane@sandbagtimes.com 


THE SADDEST WALK 

An early morning stroll I thought 

Might do a little good 

My legs, they needed stretching 

At times they feel like wood. 

I went to pick some greens and weeds 

To feed the bunny stuck at home 

It was good to get some air 

And wind in my hair 

As I strolled out on my own. 

My mood was bright 

As well it might 

On a dry and sunny day 

But was soon to change 

As came into range 

A sight that blew me away 

Balloons and brightly coloured flowers 

Teddy bears and toys 

All the stuff that would ensure you’d hear 

The laughter of girls and boys 

Alas the sight I saw 

was a dagger to my heart 

A cemetery for the children 

Whose families were ripped apart 

The gravestones carved as Teddies 

The pictures of their pet, 

The colourful jots, from other tots 

When having fun they’d met 

How can I see a balloon again 

Without shedding a memory’s tear 

A Teddy sat alone and sad 

With no loving child being near 

Flowers should be for happy times 

Daisy chains and nursery rhymes 

Not meant to remind of a terrible day 

Of children having been taken away 

I thought I might not take that path again 

The saddest walk of all 

To be reminded of the pain 

Of children never growing tall 

Not holding mummy’s hand again 

Not playing in the park 

Not hearing dad’s reassuring voice 

When wary of the dark 

Or maybe I should go down that way 

And smile as I pass on by 

Knowing that they are safe and loved 

In the playground in the sky. 


ME ISN’T REAL YOU KNOW…… 

ME isn’t real you know 

ME is all just fake 

I chose to give up work you know 

To rely upon the state 


It’s all just in my mind 

I just fancied giving up 

On everything in my life 


ME is all just talk 

I just chose to give up running 

And use a stick to help me walk 


The pain is in my head 

In fact it’s also in my arms 

My back, my ribs, my legs 

ME isn’t real you say 

It’s all just my pretend 

You think I choose, my life to lose 

As well as my final friend? 

ME isn’t real you say 

Laziness is in my genes 

You say this though not knowing 

That I’ve worked since in my teens 

ME is just fake you say 

I really am ok 

Do you really reckon, for just one second 

I’d choose to be this way? 

Lazy sod, it’s in your head 

Wish I could just stay in bed 

Shake it off, stop complaining 

To be like that, you must be feigning 

Just not possible, to have pain like that 

And legs that just won’t go 

To feel battered and bruised like you say you are 

You’re a lying so and so…… 

To be this way is not by choice, 

To hide from light, to hide from noise, 

Friends don’t call, and that’s not all 

They talk behind our back 

They say we’re no fun, won’t go for a run 

But then they don’t know Jack. 

Hit with this, we don’t know why 

Keep fighting on, is our battle cry 

All we ask is for belief, 

It’s taken our lives like a skulking thief 

I ask for not a single pound 

But when next the thought is going round 

Let’s all do a charity run 

What’s our cause, is there one? 

Can I ask that you keep minds free 

And choose to help those with ME.

The Sandbag Times Issue No:36

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?