Poem - 'The Battle for Egypt'

Poem - 'The Battle for Egypt'

Poem about El Alamein. Two versions of first page, one (entitled 'The Battle of Egypt') with handwritten caption 'Written whilst sitting on seashore, near RAF St Athan, South Wales'. The other version of first page (titled changed to 'The Battle for Egypt') with handwritten captions 'Written by RB sitting by the shore near St Athan, South Wales 18 yrs old' and 'at Llanwick Major'.

One two-page typewritten poem, two versions of first page.

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MBarrettR1863228-170515-17, MBarrettR1863228-170515-070001, MBarrettR1863228-170515-070002

[inserted] [underlined] WRITTEN WHILST SITTING ON SEA SHORE NR. R.A.F. ST ATHAN, SOUTH WALES [/underlined] [/inserted]
[underlined] THE BATTLE OF EGYPT [/underlined]
Whilst sitting here listening to the breaking of the waves,
Watching the lovely sky and the sun’s golden rays,
Everything so peaceful and still, sitting on the British shore,
It’s hard to realise there is a War.
But alas a little while ago not very far from you
A mighty battle raged all night and day through.
At El Alamein the great 8th Army attacked by night
Guns, Bombs, Planes, Tanks – one roar of terrific might.
They fought till they had the Germans on the run
Beneath the heat of the blazing sun.
They were well equipped this time
And ready for the Nazi swine.
They fought with all their might from day to day,
Each man eager to get to the centre of the fray;
Hundreds silent in death on the field of battle
Slaughtered like a herd of cattle.
They gave up all they had to give
So that their loved ones at home might live.
They looked up to God to help them on their way
And in answer they advanced more and more each day.
Right on along the road to Tripoli
Where the Wops and Huns put down their arms and did flee.
From the General to the Private they all played their part
They did their duty from the bottom of their heart.
They kept on going till the job was done
And they had properly beaten the Nazi Hun,
And during this feat many a brave deed was done
Before that battle was over and finally won.
Some of the deeds will never be told
Of the gallant men so fearless and bold.
They brought off this amazing feat
Midst blood and sand, toil and heat.
[page break]
But this battle is only a part of the job to be done
Before the whole War is over and won.
Those same men are ready to risk their lives again.
Do not let them fight in vain.
When the job is over and done
And we have completely beaten the Hun
It is up to us that it never happens again
To cause so much misery and pain.
And when the world once more is sane,
The day will come when you will be home again.
How we all look forward to that day
When storms and clouds will roll away.
Sunshine will follow the showers
And all happiness will be ours.
Let us not forget the men that died
That we might enjoy this countryside.
[underlined] FROM AN AIRMAN IN BRITAIN [/underlined]
[page break]
[inserted] WRITTEN BY R.B. SITTING BY THE SHORE NEAR ST ATHAN SOUTH WALES.
18 YRS OLD
AT LLANWICK MAJOR
[underlined] THE BATTLE [deleted] of [/deleted] [inserted] FOR [/inserted] EGYPT [/underlined]
[duplicate of poem on page 1]