REMEMBERING “THE LOST SONS OF RASTRICK"
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MEN
CONSISTING OF:-
ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY FOUR SOLDIERS, FIVE SAILORS AND ONE AIRMAN
WHO ARE COMMEMORATED ON
RASTRICK’S WAR MEMORIAL
WRITTEN BY ALAN FLUX – AUTHOR OF: THE LOST SONS OF RASTRICK
Thirteen feet of Elland Edge stone
The memorial stands proud in poppies red
Three sides of the four their names are found
Carved by the stone mason for the world to see
Remember them we will.
One hundred and thirty of the many who left us here
Failed to return, their duty done, their battles fought
To lie in countless fields or seas across the world
France, Belgium, Egypt or the Dardanelles
Remember them we will.
Wellington’s Dukes, there many were
Fusiliers too, plus Royal Engineers and Yorkshire Dragoons
Army Service Corps, stokers and seaman too
Plus a single pilot of the Royal Flying Corps
Remember them we will.
Burlers, slubbers, warpers, boot makers and decorators
So many different backgrounds from they came
Mills, dyeworks, quarries, offices and shops
Answering Kitchener’s call to arms for King and country
Remember them we will.
Tyne Cot, Arras, Thiepval, the Menin Gate for grave-less heroes
The soil at Lone Pine, Forceville, Estaires, Pozieries and Iraq’s Basra
Their bodies lie far distant but a few are to be found close to home
Rastrick Cemetery and the grave yard St. Matthew’s
Remember them we will.
The one hundred and thirty Rastrick men who went to war
Found eternal peace, not home for Christmas as was said
Families left behind their peace shattered for their lifetimes
We live on today reflects their deeds and sacrifice
Remember them we will.
