Soldier Record

The Vacant Ranks

On the road in stricken Flanders

There's a place that's vacant still

There's a rifle lying silent

There's a uniform to fill

Those at home will hate to lose you

But the march will soon begin

On the road to stricken Belgium

With the K.O.S Brds to Berlin

In your home securely nesting

Are you there content to stay?

While the others guard your honour

While the Germans boast ‘The day'

For your king and country need you

And we want to count you in

On the road through stricken Belgium

With the Allies to Berlin

When at length the foe is vanquished

When the boys come home at last

Won't you wish that you had listened?

Er'e old England's need had passed

But the gate of manhood's open

You your past can still begin

On the road through stricken Belgium

With the Allies to Berlin

In the lonely wayside graveyard

Sleep the boys who's day in done

Don't you hear their voices calling?

To complete their work begun

There are ghostly fingers beckoning

There are victories yet to win

On the road through stricken Belgium

With the Allies to Berlin

When from Mons they fought each footstep

When their lips with pain were numb

T'was their hope that held the trenches

Always thinking you would come

Through the frozen hell of winter

Through the shrapnel's racking din

They have waited never doubting

That you'd join them to Berlin

20075 Pt Thomas William Jones aged 25

King's Own Scottish Borderers c1916