Poem ~ New Recruit, Aged 71 - Saturday, 6 February 1915

Source: File: Budbrooke Barracks.jpg, 2014. A Large group of men, some in uniform, at Budbrooke Barracks in 1914. | Warwickshire County Record Office reference PH 352/40/1 Warwick and the Great War Recollections of a childhood view [online] Available at:<http://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/topics/military/world-war-one/child-view-start-great-war > [Accessed: 6 February 2015].

From Smethwick, Birmingham,
Came one eager man, to answer the king’s call,
Eager to serve his country.
Colour-Sergeant Baskett returned to the army -
With two sons of his own already
In the war – both soldiers having been wounded
With one son a prisoner of war.
His own career included Africa, Burma and India,
Colour Sergeant Baskett
At 71 years - as with the military authorities - did not
Think himself too old to serve.
The veteran soldier was to take a post at Budbooke
Barracks, Warwick.
In marking the fiftieth year of his first enlistment,
With the Connaught Rangers,
The Barracks officers gave him a presentation,
By their commanding officer.
Colour-Sergeant Baskett received a sixpence,
Mounted into a case,
Tied with red, white and blue ribbons - the coin
He gave for a testimonial fund
That he thought was for charitable purposes.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Enlisted at 71. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 6 Feb. P.11. Col.4. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11393478/Daily-Telegraph-February-6-1915.html [Accessed: 6 February 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 6 February  2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11393478/Daily-Telegraph-February-6-1915.html

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