DYING IN NO-MANS-LAND
Channel: Terry West
Date: 02/12/2019

Dedicated to my Great Grand Uncle,
 Private Edward James Tapsall, 31st Battalion, 8th reinforcement,
Australian Infantry Force 01/10/1892 to 27/09/1917, 25yrs old

The Battle For Polygon Wood.

, A small village in Belgium lay a  wooded area known as Polygon Wood due to its shape. A butte sits in the middle of the wood and this was Fought over during the First Battle of Ypres in October/November 1914. From that time it was a German stronghold, until The Third Battle of Ypres started on the 26th September 1917.
 The 5th Australian Division, including Pte Edward James Tapsall (Uncle Teddy) and his mates in the 31st Bn Australian Infantry Force, took part in a vicious, hard-won fight to take the woods back because of the German strong points stalling any advancement. Heavy fighting for the wood took place in September and October, only ending when men of the Australian Imperial Force finally captured hundreds of Pillboxes (Machine Gun bunkers) forcing the Germans to surrender or retreat. 
The 31Bn moved forward in small groups of men as a creeping barrage of artillery landed just in front of them, 
This was reported on by Photographer and War Reporter, Charles Bean. He described the opening barrage on 26 September as “the most perfect that ever protected Australian troops and that it rolled ahead of the troops roaring ‘like a Gippsland bushfire”’. the 5th Australian Division had 4,014 killed and wounded from 26–28 September according to Bean.
Sadly, my great uncle Edward James (Uncle Teddy) Tapsall Died on the 27th of September during this battle.

DYING IN NO-MANS-LAND

Come-on lads, saddle up, we gotta ride to Thompson/'/s paddock.
For war has broken out in Europe, So, let’s get moving, get at it!
This war they say, it’s gonna be short, 3 months or so of fights,
So let’s get going and gain our glory, and show Australia’s might!

Well, that how I felt year a ago, so full of life and gung-ho.
My blood was hot with youthful dreams, I would win this war with one blow!
My mates and I will teach those ones who want to start a fight.
Let’s see how tough you really are when Aussies stand for right.

If only I had known back then or seen what lay ahead.
I wouldn’t be here sad and alone, for all my mates are dead.
I think back now on what has passed and how each one of them did die.
Tom, he was blown away when a bomb exploded nearby.

Young Jimmy, I was talking to when his face it did distort.
A sniper’s bullet between his eyes cut his young life short.
They all had died in various ways that no man should endure.
now it’s my turn to leave this Earth, the mud, the guts, manure.

My time has come I must tell you, my time has come to pass,
As I lay here in this mud fill crater, Created by a bomb blast.
I thought I'd be begging for life When I knew it was going to end.
But all I feel is peace and love, Knowing my spirit will transcend.

The Maxims, those evil Dragons of fire had cut me down in stride.
Where my legs once were, those powerful limbs, Only shredded meat resides.
A lone tear makes its way down my cheek As I think of my old home.
Way Back there in the Lockyer Valley Where my stout, strong legs did roam.

I think of Mum and Dad as well and yes I think of you.
My brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts, from here I bid you ado.
I think of Christmas, Birthdays and such when our family it did meet,
I remember outdrinking my Brother Norm, Now I tell you, that was a feat.

It’s strange I think, I have no legs, No Pain and no regrets.
I snuggle down as I ponder this, in mud and Human bits.
This mud, it wraps around me like a warm, fur coat of mink.
I just wish this fella rotting beside me would do something about his stink.

I pray to God please take me now, I don’t want to drown in mud.
I look down where my legs once were, Transfixed by my flowing blood.
It’s dark, and quiet, out here at night, The heavens, a mass of stars.
No noise is made from either camp apart from sporadic, gun blasts.

It’s strange, I think as I feel so bright And tired at the same time.
I think I might close my eyes for a bit, yes, sleep is on my mind.
‘What? Who said that?’, I heard a voice, it was calling to me.
“Get down”, I scream, you silly bugger or you’ll die in this foul sea.

I close my eyes and think to myself, I wonder who it was?
That voice, oh yes, I know it now, it’s the voice of my mate, Ross!
Then once more I hear it again and this time I see them too.
Its Ross and Billy, ole Tom as well, they have come to take me through.

I stand up now, in this sticky mud, I glance at my body there.
I smile as I walk away, ascending Heavens Stair’s,
I feel so warm, not sad at all I feel filled with peace and love
Peace I feel inside my heart, and love for my God above.

Now I ask this simple question, I ask you one and all.
I ask you this, was glory worth it to die where I did fall?
Is war the way to combat evil, or does hell from it now grow?
I don’t know but I hope you do and now, I know I must go.

The End
Terry West
Copyright 2018