Local Lads Poem in WW1

Thanks to Stuart Flint for supplying this poem

Our Country is at War, we wish it were not so
But it was forced upon us, so someone had to go;
Our Lads were not behind, answering their Country's Call
To go and fight for England, to either Stand or Fall.
We grieve to think that some have paid the price for glory great,
Their precious lives have given to save us Belgium's fate.
We think of Bonham Carter, Joe Tomlinson, Jack Brown,
Billy Sherrat and Bob Britland, whose lives have been laid down;
We grieve that Captain Arkwright met such a tragic fate,
For he was of the bravest, his loss to us is great;
We never shall forget them, these lads so brave and true
Who left our quiet village, their little bit to do;
Greater love hath no man - our Loving Saviour said -
Than to give their lives for others; God rest our Glorious dead.

We also think of brave Jim Holmes, who nobly took his part
To help to win the battle - the greatest ever fought,
And then, there's Laurie Fryer who went early to the Front
With our 'Little Contemptible Army' and bravely bore the brunt;
There's Jim Toplis, and Fred Holland, and Jimmy Gibbs as well,
Frank Brown, Joe Pidcock, George Gibbs, Sam Taylor too,
Along with Bert Parker, went their Duty for to do;
Harry Britland, and George Lloyd, also Arthur Biddulph who
All was sent to the Dardanelles to try and break it through,
And then there's our brave Yeomanry who thought the Turks they'd try,
So they was sent to Egypt, then to Gallipoli -
Herbert Gillott and Tom Huddart, Alf Redfern and Fred Mee,
Wilfred Bosley, and Frank Fearn, and Owen Sudbury,
John Allen, and Tony Greatorex, along with Percy Wright,
And when they got to grips, showed how our Cromford Lads could fight;
Then others of our Local Lads went into France 'somewhere'
To join our gallant army and bravely do their share;
There's Mr Robinson's three sons - Harry, George and Tom,
They command the admiration, we feel sure, of everyone.

There's George Ratcliffe and Sam Pearson, Harold Smith and Arthur Rose,
Dick Roberts, and Jack Sherrat ready to meet all foes;
Then there's Tom and Harold Webster, Ernest Allen and John Gould,
Harry and Charlie Parker, all warriors brave and bold;
Jack Oldbury and Jack Vallance and Lewis Parker too
Belong to our brave Terriers who've gone their bit to do,
There's Jack Gregory, George Kirk, and also Tommy Fearn,
Laurie Newton and Tommy Dillon - all our praises earn.

There's Fred Bunting come from Canada with the 'Princess Pat's' to fight
It showed his heart was with us in this fight for truth and right.

Harry Pykett and Joe Sellors both joined the Veterinary Corps
To nurse our wounded horses they'll do their best we're sure.

We've still some left in England, training to use their guns,
And they'll not be found wanting when England needs her sons;
There's Will Waterfield, Willie Wright, George Byard and Fred Snow,
With Will Frith they'll be ready when Kitchener bids them go;
There's others we can think of, Laurie Musgrave and Percy Clay,
Arthur Siddall and Ernest Eaton all ready for the fray;
Joe Shaw, Tommy Britland, John Kidd and Willie Fearn,
Jim Botham and Joe Fearn, all doing their best to learn;
Will Holmes, Clifford Brooks, George Biddulph and Charlie White,
Wilfred Gregory and Joe Gladwin all went to join the fight;
There's Joe Wharton, George Pearson, Gus Smedley and George Blore,
And then there's Harry Kidd, gone to join the Flying Corps;
Leonard Wilbraham, Willie Gould, Arthur Bunting and Maurice Kirk,
With Jack Allen and Willie Potter, their duty will not shirk.

What can we say of these brave Lads who never thought of fear,
But left their homes and loved ones, and all that they held dear,
To go and fight for Britain, the land of the brave and free,
To fight the cause of justice, of right and liberty.

We pray God to protect our Lads and bring them safely through;
That peace may quickly be restored is the wish of me and you;
And when the War is over and Victory is won,
Cromford Lads will share the honours in the great "Well done".

All profits of the above to be given for Xmas Boxes for Local Boys.
Nov. 19. 1915.
Attributed to Charlotte Farnsworth