MESSINES, 1914-1917.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7914, 4 August 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

MESSINES, 1914-1917.

Tho khaki waves sweep on through riven wire, Through smoking craters t-o the low hills’ crest, Pitted and shattered by a hail of fire. The heart of France within her wounded breast Pulses with joy to know her champions* tread As eastward still the tide of battle Hows, And on the hallowed graves of Briton’s dead Amid the wreck the flower of freedom blows.

Here, hero the village lies, a smouldering heap, They fought their final fight whose task is done. Nor shall the strife of armies break their sleep Whose crown of faithful service lias been won. Here day by day in matchless hardihood The thin and dwindling line held ever fast. Bent, but unbroken vet, it stemmed the Hood Until our darkest hour was overpast. Honour to those who in our later day Have won for France once more that .'•‘acred soil, Who at one mightv stroke have swept away Tho fruit of years of foemen’s Inbound toil. But in our hour of triuippli o’er our foes Wo know our victors’ proudest thoughts will be, Not of their iVand-won laurels but of those Who kept the gateway leading to the TOUCHSTONE.