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Images of pages from Robert Toomey's diary © Claude Lafleur
The following three poems, authors unknown, were written in the diary while Robert Toomey was at Stalag IIIA after marching there from Stalag Luft VII in January 1945.
To the Undying Memory of the Fighter Pilots who Fell in the Battle of Britain Sept. 1940.
To the Undying Memory of the Fighter Pilots who Fell in the Battle of Britain Sept. 1940.
Where fly you now, you rich young blood?
Where drones your phantom plane?
Fly you in some ethereal sky
“Dice” you with death again
With throttle wide, streak you across
Some ghost uncharted land
Or fly you in the old patrols
Are all your journeys planned.
Raise you your hand in last salute
To gallant foes who fall
Or in Valhalla meet you them
Old battles to recall
Your blood was hot, your brain was ice
The cost you knew full well
As earthwards, downwards screaming went
Your burning, turning hell.
Yes you were old, tho’ young in years
From life its treasures stole,
You gripped the cup with hands aloft
One draught you quaffed the whole
While we who live still trudge the earth
Proud son, you knew your end
You lived your life, you silver wing
That broke, yet would not bend
In words of one, who, grim and stern
Leads England, Come what may
Thro’ sweat, thro’ tears, thro’ blood
Aye death unto a bright day.
Fly on oh youth in clear blue skies
In you, our hopes renew
You never did so many owe,
So much, unto so few.
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
I’m writing you a letter to say I will never forget
The hours we spent together darling
Since the day we met
I hope you will remember, although we're far apart
And keep a loving memory forever in your heart
Remember me although I’m far away
Remember that I love you more each day
Remember soon we’ll be together again
In sunshine or in rain, never to part again
A million years it seems we’ve been apart
But your lovely smile still lingers in my heart
So dry your tears and quiet your fears
Till we meet that happy day
Remember though I’m far away.
FAITH
FAITH
Faith, that's something each of us needs
For our hopes are never too small
Charity, Kindness, given unasked
Yet Faith is the greatest of all.
Believe in your neighbour
Believe in yourself, believe in God on high
Believe in the little things in life
And life won't pass you by.
When nights are darkest, when hopes have fled
When Charity turns away
Look up, have Faith, you won't regret
You trusted enough to pray.
Poem Written on a Cell Wall at Dulag Luft Oberursel
Poem Written on a Cell Wall at Dulag Luft Oberursel
The following poem was written on the wall of a cell at Dulag Luft Oberusel, an interrogation centre for allied airforce POWs. Robert Toomey arrived there shortly after his capture in August 1944.
Can You Take It?
Can You Take It?
by Anonymous
It's easy to be nice, boys
When everything's O.K.
It's easy to be cheerful,
When your having things your way.
But can you hold your head up
And take it on the chin.
When your heart is breaking
And you feel like giving in?
It was easy back in England,
Among the friends and folks.
But now you miss the friendly hand,
The joys, and songs, and jokes.
The road ahead is stormy.
And unless you're strong in mind,
You'll find it isn't long before
You're dragging far behind.
You've got to climb the hill, boys;
It's no use turning back.
There's only one way home, boys,
And it's off the beaten track.
Remember you're American,
And when you reach the crest,
You'll see a valley cool and green,
Our country at its best.
You know there is a saying
That sunshine follows rain,
And sure enough you'll realize
That joy will follow pain.
Let courage be your password,
Make fortitude your guide;
And then instead of grousing,
Just remember those who died.
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