The King's Shilling

They took the King's shilling,
went to fight for God, King, and Country
and came not back again:
Ivor, Wilfred, Frank, Archie, George
and Henry came not back again.

They played football with their mates
-- minded each other's backs,
survived tackles in fine fettle,
for he who defends also creates.

They took the King's shilling,
went to fight for God, King, and Country
and came not back again:
Henry, George, Archie, Frank, Wilfred
and Ivor came not back again.

Christopher T. George



War Memorial, Sandwich, Kent, by Joe Neary



British soldiers' Company C football team