Angels Of The Battlefield by Peter Clarke


Tommy was a spinner, a timid quiet lad,
bullied by the foreman and ridiculed by his Dad.
Tommy lived in Rochdale a Lancashire cotton town. 
The dust and noise, the way of life was getting Tommy down. 

I want to be a doctor! The mill’s no place for me.
His father said don’t make me laugh, now let me drink my tea.
His mother was intelligent and loved the quiet lad.
She told the village doctor that Tom seemed depressed and very sad. 

The doctor came to see young Tom, a man named Doctor Brooks, he knew of Tom’s ambitions and gave him several books. 

Tom’s eyes lit up, what a stroke of luck the doc’s hand he warmly shook.
Depression gone Tom raised a smile and opened up a book 

He told his mother that he would study hard. I’ll do the best I can!
His father said don’t waste your time you should learn to be a man. 

You think you’ll become a doctor, I know you never will.
Folks like us don’t do jobs like that, you belong in cotton mill. 

The world’s at war and folks are dying. 
Ships are sailing, planes are flying. 
Tommy now in uniform has a chance to use his skills. 
Life will never be the same far away from cotton mills. 

He’s had his basic training, now kitted out for war.
Setting sail like many others is medical private Tommy Law. 

The demands of war take their toll 
and Tommy feels the strain. 
Specialist corporal Tommy Law
sees suffering, grief and pain. 

Tommy and the Field Ambulance have wounded at their feet. 
No man should have to make the choice of who to leave and who to treat. 

The Western Desert June 42 and the hell of Al Alamein.
Medical Sergeant Tommy Law is at the front again. 

We captured German medics in a building called Blockhouse. 
They teamed up with the allied medics an Aussie and a scouse 

Called Angels of the Battlefield medics 
don’t care where you’re from.
They will care for you and offer help whatever side you’re on.

A German surgeon tried his best to save a British soldier’s life.
The soldier thanked him — Danke Schon
holding a photo of his wife. 

What dreadful situations, how stupid was that war.
It was left behind in 45 by Staff Sergeant Tommy Law. 

At last the skies above are clear, war’s left the country in a mess.
Tommy married nurse Betty and they joined the NHS. 

Happy years while working hard, 
two children playing in the yard.
National insurance and tax to pay,
modest savings for a rainy day.

How fast the years have rolled on by,
Betty’s passing made him cry.
With children married and far away 
Tommy gets through a lonely day.  

Glaucoma has taken Tommy’s sight,
no sunny days just days like night.
No-one to care and all alone,
Tommy’s moved to an old folks home. 

His home is sold to pay the cost, 
his pride and self-esteem are lost.
Knowing the NHS has been abused,
old soldier Tommy is not amused. 

Sitting quietly in his old folks’ chair.
Tommy Law gets basic care. 
Defeated without a shot being fired,
Staff Sergeant Law is feeling tired. 

Remembering all with a tearful eye
Tommy whispers it’s time to die. 
As the sun goes down on a winter’s day
The cotton mill spinner fades away.

HAVE YOU READ? Ryde writer Chrissie Saunders' poignant Remembrance Day poem?