As today is National Poetry Day, we thought we would share a poem from The Rifles:

Be A Rifleman

A flash, then a bang was the last thing I saw

My Corporal shouted “GRENADE, THROUGH THAT DOOR!”

My legs were heavy, I couldn’t catch my breath.

When I opened the door I might meet my death.

But I remembered my training,

What I’d learned every day.

And suddenly all of my fears blew away,

So I primed the grenade and put on a fresh ‘mag’,

Praying the soldier behind would not lag.

And I thought to myself, be the best man I can.

And the best I can be is a Rifleman.

Poem from a wall in Basra Camp, Op Telic 8

‘J.T.T’