Brain and spinal injury centre, Salford
26th June 2018
two friends locked in a meeting of minds
heads of two mighty armies
engaging in rank from rook through to queen
keeping an eye over each army
is the ruler of the of the land at either end
night facing off against day in a battle royale
grey matter in play, as tactics employed
Manchester, 26th July 2016
In honour of the Roman Wall at Manchester’s Castlefield I wrote this brief little ditty.
Pulled it out of the leaves of Notebook 1 so I can share it with you all
(Artwork created by me – using Corel Painter)
Ave! My friend.
and welcome!, sit down.
rest, as you enter this garrison town.
…
You have reached Mamucium
or “Castle-in-the-field”
it’s a place, where we Romans
don’t often yield.
We fight with the Pilum
and fight with the sword
defending our lands
from the blue pictish hordes
We have a great legion
five hundred men strong
to service the need of
the wall, that’s quite long
And we’ll go off to Deva
to have fun for the night
arriving to watch
the gladiators fight.
22nd June 2016
Today I took my camera on the tram to Bury, and met up with fellow Imperial War Museum (North) volunteers at the regimental museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
The Lancashire Fusiliers fought in battles all over the world during their time as a regiment in the United Kingdom, and this museum documented some of the stories as well as the history of the regiment. The bronze globe reminded me of IWM North’s building – “the shattered globe” as the wire frame showed all the places where the regiment fought in conflict.
During world war one , and the Gallipoli campaign, Six Victoria Crosses were issued to men of the Lancashire fusiliers to honour the regiment for their bravery. They’re known as the “Six VCs before breakfast”. A painting depicting the scene is on display by this picture.
For those who needed to know about the army and its structures – a helpful guide was on hand to show how the companies of men were formed.
In addition to the Uniforms – several weapons were on display, such as the Rifles used by the men of the fusiliers. In addition to our walk around, we were given an interesting talk by a member of the fusiliers who now works at the museum.
The Fusiliers are now part of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. This museum honoured those who fought and served in the regiment.
There is a memorial garden in the grounds of the museum containing the local cenotaph, whilst research facilities are available to search through museum archives.
Lancashire Fusiliers Arms
Hey! Over Here! Yeah, man its me!
I’m hiding, in plain sight, out here in the sea.
A product of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy
(but one you can’t spot – on that we’ll agree)
I’ll hide to protect you,
by day or by night.
With my dazzling colours i’ll avoid a fight.
Coloured like sea, so when the sun is so bright
the enemy spotters wont see me right.
And up on my decks, observe the ranks –
Jungle coloured RVs and Desert coloured Tanks
Hiding away, and really hard to see
Ready for missions against the enemy.
But its not just us hiding – take a look in the air,
and catch a glimpse of our flying friends if you care.
You may catch a sight of their trails in the sky,
but by the time you have noticed – they’ve passed you by.
So all keep your eyes peeled,
and don’t let them veer
One Minute I’ll be there,
Then the next – Disappear!
A tale of an Old Army Boot – On display in the timeline at Imperial War Museum North in Trafford, Manchester.
Another boot in a window ?
The cobbler must be proud!
As it’s placed in a window wi uniforms
Oh, how it sings out loud.
But, dear boot is looking quite shabby,
No polish on him for a while
Old mud encrusted in his leather
Is that the latest style?
Foreign Mud – well , its hard to get rid of
and old boot here has plenty to see
but its wailing a tone – as it sits, all alone
under someone’s old uniform it be
His sole it could do with some tacking
and a new lace will do there – I’m sure
as you read of his story in th’ window
one you’ve not heard of before
He’s telling the tale of his brother –
The one , who didn’t return
So he’ll sit there in Solemn Remembrence
In the hope, you and I, we will learn.
