The 27th Squadron was coming home - and we were going to give them a rapturous welcome.
A Parade
A parade, a parade, we’re going to have a parade!
The ticker tape's been ordered, the plans have all been made,
The balloons will be inflated and the flags will flutter high And everyone will raise a cheer as the troops go marching by.
A parade, a parade, we’re going to have a parade
The trumpets will be sounded and the fife and cornet played
To celebrate the gallantry of those who have returned,
And demonstrate to one and all, the gratitude they’ve earned.
A parade, a parade, we’re going to have a parade! There’ll be joy and laughter and merriment will be made.
To them we’ll raise our glasses, for they’ve never let us down,
Those brave and noble heroes, who’ll march proudly through the town.
Maggie Smart
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And what of the Anthology?
It had a preliminary print run of a couple of hundred books, which were mostly taken up by friends and families.
Then, when the 27th Squadron was disbanded, everyone went their separate ways and the poetry book was sadly lost in the mists of time. It had enjoyed a short lived success and
had been picked up by regional television and radio stations, as well as the national and local press, all of whom gave it brilliant reviews.
In order to have taken it further, it would have required proper marketing and none of us had the necessary time, inclination or skills. Furthermore, since we were scattered across the country, some of us completely lost touch.
However, we were very proud of the fact that the Imperial War Museum obtained a copy of the Anthology and placed it in their collection of war poetry. Our little, homespun poetry book lay alongside works of the great war poets.
Maybe the Anthology will one day be resurrected?
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