A Royal Engineer

A mere lad of fifteen years Amid a life of bullying and tears, I set out one day to end my fears, I went to join the Engineers. The recruitment centre I soon found, The place that made me Army bound, My medical check soon came around, Of mind and body I was sound. To Chepstow I went off one fine day, My mind and thoughts in disarray, No going back, I had seized the day, In the Army I had chose to stay. A camp in Wales was where I was sent, I'd never heard of a place called Gwent, I entered there full of wonderment, I hoped that now I would be content. Boys from all places, far and wide, I was now part of that human tide, I was not tough, at night I cried, Somehow I knew here I would abide. The life was hard, make no mistake, But I knew the road that I did take, My spirit, I knew, just wouldn't break From a boy, they said a man they'd make. The life I left was a bitter pill, The life I chose was all uphill, We spent our days just doing drill, Each day to me was such a thrill. Days filled with learning at my trade. Electrician RE was to be my grade, Educations foundation was also laid, Into a Soldier Tradesman I was made. They worked us hard so until when, The boys we were, soon became men, We were trained with rifle and with bren, Fit to fight wherever and when. From day one through trials and fears, Our training was to last three years, Then came the day of jubilant cheers, Our badges said we were Engineers. It was worth all the effort to me you see, I knew that a Soldier I wanted to be, The training had made me proud to be, A Royal Engineer, A brother RE. © Dave Timperley. R.E.