I READ the article on Mametz Wood

And the ultimate sacrifices made

South Wales men dying and shedding their blood

Shells and guns to make everyone afraid

Yet the Welsh regiment fought bravely on

But the Tregaskis brothers sadly fell

And also Frank Blackmore’s last breath had gone

His body never found in this true hell.

Harry Hall from Penarth met his end too

A deadly shell blowing his life away.

There’s a photograph of Harry Bird who

Was to be buried on that Saturday.

Thousands were killed and injured from this land

Armchair generals a total disgrace

No empathy for those with shaking hands

Never escaping from this awful place.

A Welsh dragon stands for victims of war

Though this slaughter was tragically in vain

For the Germans regained control once more

In this war so bloodthirsty and insane.

Every evening at Ypres The Last Post

Is played for doomed soldiers from this dark time

And I can imagine many a ghost

Looking so forlorn...struck down in his prime.

Guy Fletcher

Pantmawr

Cardiff