The Corporal and His Pal.

He stood, a dauntless figure

Prepared to meet his fate.

Upon his lips, a kindly smile

One arm around his mate.

His free hand held a picture

Of the one he loved most dear

And though his hand was trembling

It was not caused by fear.

No braver man e’er faced his death

Before a firing squad

Than stood that day upon the square

And placed his trust in God.

He drew himself up proudly

And faced the leering foe,

His rugged face grew ster, “I ask

One favour ere I go

Grant unto me this last request

That’s in your power to give.

For myself I ask no mercy

But let my comrade live",

Then turning to the guardhouse

Where his sad faced Colonel stands

A witness to his pending fate

Brought here by Jap command.

He stiffens to attention

His hand swings up on high

To hat brim, in a swift salute,

“I’m ready now to die.”

They murdered him in hatred,

Prolonged his tortured end,

In spite of all his pleadings,

They turned and shot his friend,

They said it was an example

Of what they had in store

For others who attempt escape

Whilst Prisoners of War.

Example, yes, of how to die,

And how to meet one’s fate,

Example, true, of selfless love

A man has for his mate.

And when he reaches Heavens Gate

The Angels will be nigh

And welcome to their midst, a man

Who knew the way to die.

Whilst here below in letters gold

The scroll of fame e’er shall,

The story tell of how they died,

A Corporal and his Pal.

I saw this poem at Changi Prison Museum on Sunday & i thought it's very meaning & touching. It's about 2 prisoner of war who were captured while trying to escape from the Japanese during WWII in Singapore. They were executed with another 2 escapee. Just before the execution the corporal pleaded with the executioner to let his pal go but to no avail....