'A Day at East Kirkby'

'A Day at East Kirkby'

Poem by Bill Cooke prior to a visit to East Kirkby - contrasting the stress of operational flying on Lancasters to the forthcoming aircraft taxi ride.

2012-07

One printed sheet

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MCookeWH2220169-150902-06

A DAY AT EAST KIRKBY

IS THIS REALLY JUST A JOY RIDE,
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.

WILL I NOT NEED STOWING MY PARACHUTE
OR NEED TO CHECK EACH GUN.

WILL IT ONLY BE A SHORT RUN
JUST A TAXI DOWN THE STRIP.

NOT EIGHT LONG HOURS OF SEARCHING
IN STRESS AND TENSIONS GRIP.

JUST A RUN AROUND THE AIRFIELD
WHEELS FIRMLY ON THE GROUND.

NOT THINKING “WILL WE DITCH TONIGHT”
AND MAYBE ALL BE DROWNED.

THANKFULLY THAT’S OVER NOW
I SLEEP PEACEFULLY IN MY BED,
REMEMBERING OFT TIMES ABOUT
MY MATES OF OLD NOW DEAD.

SO IF YOU SEE ME IN THE STREET
JUST NOD AND SAY “GOOD DAY”,
AND THANK THE LORD IT’S OVER
NO MORE AIRCREW NEED TO PAY

BILL COOKE – (MID UPPER GUNNER)
LANCASTERS 49 SQUADRON RAF 1943-45
PRIOR TO VISIT ON WEDNESDAY 11 JULY 2012