CONSCRIPTION
by
George Robert Saint

I'd heard about conscription
But I never thought anymore
Until that fateful day
A letter dropped on the floor.

It said you're going to Bridgenorth
In a county called Salop.
Away from all your family
That was a short sharp shock.

I arrived by bus one evening
The snow was on the ground
I said to a man with stripes on,
' I wish I was homeward bound!'

With his hand upon my shoulder
He said he would look after me
He said his name was Corporal Swan
And a father to me he'd be.

He gave me loads of bedding
And showed me where to sleep
I was told to, " Have a lie in tomorrow "
As to my bed I'd creep.

I was woken with a start
As he kicked the barrack room door
"Welcome to basic training, brat!"
As he threw me to the floor

My God, this is a nightmare
As we went out into the dark
' This is called a parade ground.'
At to us he did bark

We where kitted out in uniforms
Of a very itchy blue
And various other bits of kit
I didn't have a clue.

A rifle was then thrust at me
A Lee Enfield 303
He said, 'It's yours to clean and groom,
And an airman you will be.'

I don't want to be an airman corp
With bedpacks drill and bull
I want to go out with me mates
With evenings on the pull.

But now my training's over
And I'm smarter than ever before
A much better individual
As I close the barrack room door.

I'll never forget old Corporal Swan
And what he did for me
As I board the bus for home
I know a better man, I'll be.