Andy The Reluctant Hero

It's been seventy years if not more since Andy was school going boy
Since he played hide and seek with his mates in the old park of Fitzroy
But the years have flown so quickly his once brown hair silvery gray
And on looking back his young years seem like only yesterday.

In his prime he saw much bloodshed and the hard life he's been through
In the front line and the trenches years ago in World War 2
One of only few survivors of his gallant infantry
And decorated for his bravery there was none so brave as he.

If you ask him of the war years from such questions he might shy
He might say don't talk of those days seen too many comrades die
Those memories for him too painful he spent years trying to forget
Those brave mates who died beside him in the trenches cold and wet.

His brave comrades did not come home they were buried where they fell
And on Anzac day he doesn't go marching or go to the R S L
And the medals for bravery that he received he gave to his grandson
And he won't want to talk to you of battles fought and won.

A reluctant hero from the trenches of Europe far away
And if you ask Andy of the war perhaps he well might say
That was so many years ago and he wants to forget
The bloodshed and the suffering and the awful stench of death.