A British Soldier
He was only a school-boy who joined us with zest
He was under the average girth round his chest
But he shouldered his rifle along with the rest
And marched like a brave British Soldier
It was only a trench with the enemy near
Where we dug ourselves in for the lives we held dear
But scornful of foemen and callous of fear
He fought like a brave British soldier
It was only a bullet that came whizzing by,
As he rose to assist me it entered his eye
He gave just a smile, then a queer little cry
And fell like a brave British soldier
He was only a boy, but my heart loved the lad
And he merely exclaimed “they have winged me by gad”
Then whispering low,”tell my mother and dad”
He died like a brave British soldier
It was only a grave like a thousand or more
Unnamed and unnoticed on France’s fair shore
But I made it myself and I knew that it bore
The heart of a Brave British Soldier.
Private Arthur Stanley Kitt 17th February 1918