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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
10/07/2022
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Hullbridge
Now here’s an area I know very well
Going back 40 years or more
Where I’d visit Hullbridge perhaps twice a month
To take our boat from the shore
Launching it into the River
Down the slipway as the tide started to rise
Making sure of the forecast for weather
Mostly under perfect Blue skies
With our fishing tackle and food aboard
We’d gently motor away
Aiming for Wallasey at the end of the River
About an hour’s travelling time away
Where we would sit at anchor just offshore
To test our Angling skills
Then on with the Kettle and out with the food
Ever hoping that our keep net soon fills
At that time we carried a C B Radio
And “The Crouch Angler” was our Handle or name
Always hoping other boat owners
Were thinking just the same
This was a time before mobile phones
Were part of everyday life
Just a way of keeping in touch
Or reporting trouble and strife
At the end of the day it’s up with the anchor
And we’re on our homeward way
The receding Sun is in front of us now
As we’re coming to the end of the day
We’re passing more boats now on their moorings
As we come to our journey’s end
And now the slipway is in sight
As we round the final bend
Then it’s boat on the trailer once again
As it’s winched up to the yard ashore
To be towed away and sheeted for storage
Until it’s needed once more
Dennis Shrubshall 9th July 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
16/08/2022
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Wizard or wise Owl
I wonder if when this tree was planted
Who imagined how it could end
Would it be used for fuelling fires
Erecting buildings or an Artiste’s friend
A tree stump spotted as a subject
On which an Artist could use his skill
Creating a lasting Sculpture
A task they’re bound to fulfill
In this case a lively figure of a Wizard
Modelled by the Artist’s hands
Every minor detail is perfect
As in the woodlands he stands
Fingers as though checking the Birdbath
Overlooked by the Wary OwlKnowing that it’s peck or scratch
Could change the Wizard’s face to a scowl
But beauty is in the eye of the beholder
But this is the image I see
Sculptures like this are marvellous
To entertain the likes of you and me
Dennis Shrubshall 16th August 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
25/08/2022
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The Angels of Mons
An interesting image I think
Depicting thoughts mentioned at that time
Giving me an opportunity
To interpret it in words of rhyme
This was the battle of Mons I’m told
First of many in World War One
In order to manage the threat to Europe
4 years before all the battles were done
The attack by the British Expeditionary Force
At first seemed to be going well
But then the enemy responded
And many casualties fell
The scene we have before us
A fighting Soldier and colleague o wounded on the ground
And 2 Angels there behind them
Which matched the stories going round
Another story was of Bowmen of St George
From the battle of Agincourt
Helping the British Army
As the present battle of Mons they fought
But then it was said in a publication
That all this may have been a hoax from the start
Just a figment of an author’s imagination
Who thought it right to impart
To boost the efforts of the Army
Maybe give Relatives piece of mind
The first of many bloody battles
With stories of a different kind
Dennis Shrubshall 25th August 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
04/09/2022
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Mind
The scene above tells many stories
Of horror beyond compare
Depicting an Airborne Forces mission
With many still in the air
Perhaps as they drifted down
They’d lost the element of surprise
The enemy aware of this attack
From these Soldiers of the skies
A Paratrooper carrying a wounded colleague
To a place away that’s out of sight
Hoping to find some Medics
That may be able to put things right
But then he’ll be back to join the Airborne group
And help to carry out their task
Hopeful of a minimum loss of life
Is that too much to ask
For when this mission is over
The Memories are buried deep
AS we know for many Military men
In their soul for life they’ll keep
So if you analysed the scene above
It’s very likely you will find
That those who’ve witnessed with their eyes
Is there for Lifetime on their Mind
Dennis Shrubshall 4th September 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
10/09/2022
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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
Born the Daughter Of King George VI and Mary
With a sister Margaret too
I early life they were known to us as H R H
2 Royal Prinvess’s through and through
They wore the mIlitary Uniform
During W W 2
And charity work in later life
Among the many things to do
H R H Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten
Were subsequently wed
Leading a normal married life
If that can ever be said
But Tragedy happened in 1952
When her Father King George passed away
Leaving H R H Princess Elizabeth
To be crowned Queen Elizabeth on Coronation Day
She worked a hard and arduous life
As queen of the Commonwealth too
Ever on view to her Public
Always their Patron too
Official Function by the hundred she attended
Sometimes not in the best of health
Always mindful for the need of her appearance
Irregardless of fortune or wealth
But sadly at her favourite Balmoral
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Britain passed away
After 70 years the longest Reign ever
Her final appearance had been made
May you Rest in Eternal Peace your Majesty Queen Elizabeth
For the love for your Country you’ve displayed
Dennis Shrubshall 9th September 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
11/11/2022
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Photo from Wilf Steve @ Twitter
Remembrance Ghurkas
It’s a subject that gone on for a long time
Amongst the British Military men
About the treatment of Ghurka Soldiers
A British Army Regiment since then
They fought with the Allies in W W 1
And again in W W 2
Where their expertise in Jungle Warfare
Was truly proven through
But to get to the point of the Artist
Whose sculpture we now see
Of a Ghurka Soldier who rescued an Injured English Tommy
And carried him back to a place of safety
The Soldier was Ghurka Kulbir Thapa Magar
He’d already rescued 2 of his comrades that day
Although he himself carried his wounds too
And he became the first Ghurka Soldier
To receive the Ghurkas first Victoria Cross for bravery true
The statue sculpted by Amy Goodman
Which 106 years after the event in Aldershot now stands
A tribute to the Ghurka Regimaent
Andhow they help to protect Britain and other lands
Dennis Shrubhall 11th November 2022
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Glyn Lockett Posts: 7
30/11/2022
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See you are still very active Dennis
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
24/12/2022
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The Xmas Fairy
I sometimes sit and wonder
Why folks seldom think of me
Cos I’m just a Xmas Fairy
To stand atop the Xmas tree
I’m looking all around me
At the different array of lights
Hanging by the Xmas cards
But they’re turned off at nights
So I just stand here daily
With baubles all around
Present piled beneath me
And the Xmas Carols sound
The Children all adore me
Especially the little Girls
They like my fashionable Fairy Dress
My pretty face and hair with curls
I sometimes think of why I stand
Precariously propped up high
Maybe away from the owners dog
That occasionally walks by
But nobody ever speaks to me
Not even Santa on Xmas Eve
He just walks in with bulging sack
Which under the tree He’ll leave
Then Xmas Day I’ll stand and watch
As the presents are opened wide
By excited Children & parents
To see just what’s inside
And later on the Family meal
Turkey and Tinsel so they say
Accompanied of course by Xmas Pudding’
And Mince pies on this Special Day
I nearly forgot the glasses of wine
Supplied by the genial Host
And during the meal the glasses are raised
And “ A Happy Xmas Everyone” is the toast
With all the activity going on
Nobody seems to think of me
For I’m just a lonely little Xmas Fairy
Stuck on top of the Xmas Tree
Dennis Shrubshall 15th December 2012
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
25/02/2023
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Paining by Colin Perry
Bamburgh Castle
Imagine it’s the middle of Summer
And the Sun is shining down
Where better to be than the Seaside
Enjoying life out of Tpwn
And here you’re walking on the beach
With Bamburgh Castle in view
But also the eye of an Artist
Is travelling with you too
For this venue has a long History
It’s been here before Anglo Saxon times
Much earlier than is thought
For it started life as Din Guarie
A Celtic Brittonic fort
Destroyed by the Vikings in 993
But the Normans rebuilt on the site
And later became property of the English Monarch
Obtaining the owners right
The building deteriorated under different owners
As the 17th and 18th Centuries passed
Until it was bought by William Armstrong in 19th Century
Undertaking restorations so vast
The Castle appeared in many books
Then burning Land & Sword of Kings to name but two
And also a nice Seaside resort
For a walk to sort problems through
All this retained as an Artist’s subject
Without need to hurry or rush
To get back to the studio and Easel
And display using Water Colours Pastel and Brush
Dennis Shrubshall 25th Febgruary 2023
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
13/03/2023
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I've been asked by he family and friends of Rosemary ( Kim ) Dimond to advise them all of her Passing on the 25th February 2023 after a short illness. She was a longstanding Member of Forces Re-united and a friend for many years May she Rest in Eternal Peace.
Thought for today
Sit with me for a while today
All friends gathered here
Try if you can to wear a smile
Maybe the occasional tear
For parting is such sweet sorrow
But I’m not going away
As my friendship is Eternal
Each and every day
Ever in your thoughts and minds
This amity you’ll keep
For I’ll be watching over you
Even though you may sleep
My loved ones and dear ones
Ever in a close embrace
Enjoying the happy times
Helping the sad times to chase
So when you leave and look upwards
To the heavens and the sky
Think of these words as written
I may be gone but it’s not goodbye
Dennis Shrubshall 26th October 2018
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jim collins Posts: 5
14/03/2023
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dennis shrubshall wrote:
I've been asked by he family and friends of Rosemary ( Kim ) Dimond to advise them all of her Passing on the 25th February 2023 after a short illness. She was a longstanding Member of Forces Re-united and a friend for many years May she Rest in Eternal Peace.
Thought for today
Sit with me for a while today
All friends gathered here
Try if you can to wear a smile
Maybe the occasional tear
For parting is such sweet sorrow
But I’m not going away
As my friendship is Eternal
Each and every day
Ever in your thoughts and minds
This amity you’ll keep
For I’ll be watching over you
Even though you may sleep
My loved ones and dear ones
Ever in a close embrace
Enjoying the happy times
Helping the sad times to chase
So when you leave and look upwards
To the heavens and the sky
Think of these words as written
I may be gone but it’s not goodbye
Dennis Shrubshall 26th October 2018
Absolutely beautiful Dennis. Thank you so much.
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
05/06/2023
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79th Anniversary of D Day.
All the ships are in the harbours
With our armaments they are filled
Ever at the ready to sail
With a readiness that’s instilled
In every British fighting man
With his duty to rout the foe
And now the waiting is over
And it’s time for the Armada to go
Hundred upon hundred
Of Britain’s young fighting men
Across the Channel what will they find
Will they ever come home again
And this was uppermost in their mind
As the Normandy coast they neared
The opposition far worse than anyone feared
Many were lost ‘fore they landed
And many died on the beach
In the terrible salvo’s of shells and mortar
Thro’ the air as they constantly screech
But undeterred our lads carried on
Through the gunfire , the smoke and the stench
And occasionally stop to take cover
To have a “fag” or sip of water in a trench
For their bodies were aching and their lips were parched
With a limited amount of transport
Each day they carried on and marched
With every day the advance that they made
Was greeted with the “locals” admiration
For the lads of the British Army
Who had come to rescue their war torn Nation
Eventually the Germans were ousted
But at a truly dreadful cost
Which was paid by the British Liberation Army
And the thousands of lives that were lost
In order to end the war of all wars
Or so they were led to believe
But now we all know in reality
Impossible to achieve
And so if you all just close your eyes
And imagine if you can
The 6th of June 76 years ago
And the fate of the British Military Man
As I know there are those few survivors
Who trek to Normandy year on year
With their heads that are bowed and tears in their eyes
Thinking “Fred, Dick or Harry are you still here”
The debt that we owe is enormous
A price we cannot afford to pay
But we can now bow our heads in silence
And remember the lads not here with us today.
Dennis Shrubshall 5th June 2007
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
06/06/2023
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The Long Day
World War 2 had come to a climax
The time for retribution was nigh
With thousands of ships across the English Channel
And thousands of planes in the sky
This was to be a concerted effort
To end the horrendous German reign
Of Nazism with it’s killing and slaughter
Then bring peace to Europe once again
So now that the waiting was over
The South of England had Troops everywhere
With all the lanes full of Tanks and Lorries and Artillery
Hidden from observation from the air
The railway yards and docks , the ships and the barges
All with their deadly cargoes concealed
Personnel all sworn to silence
And to no-one was the destination revealed
The decision was made and the convoy left Harbour
Each ship was packed to the”gunnel’s”
With Troops and Vehicles and Armourments
In the rough seas poured heavy smoke from their funnels
And over head was a constant roar from the planes
As they droned under their heavy load
On their way to the distant objective
Where the deadly cargo they carried would explode
To pave the way for the seaborne attack
As this enormous Armada the Normandy coast neared
To face an indomitable resistance
Far worse than anyone had feared
Ships were lost and Landing craft too
So near to the target they sought
And the armour and the troops that they carried
For them their last battle was fought
But the battle continued and advances were made
With the German Army in a rapid retreat
For they never expected retaliation, in such great numbers
To bring about their eventual defeat
As we reflect on that day, Oh! so long ago
For some it is hard to believe
The cost in young lives to fight oppression
In order that Peace you may achieve
As you look in the eyes of the few survivors left
On the beaches where their mates all fell
You will still see the compassion and comradeship
That they shared on that D Day of hell
And now as the Last Post is sounded
They close their eyes and they silently pray
Hoping that the World will never forget
Those who laid down their lives on that day
Dennis Shrubshall 7th June 2009.
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
03/07/2023
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Granddad
You’re seated here amongst your comrades
So Granddad please don’t cry
Because I’ll be here to comfort you
As you watch the time go by
For I know that you fought for the Country
And many of your colleagues were lost
With the hope that by doing their duty
They would give me and others Peace at a terrible cost
For many made the Supreme Sacrifice
Others put their lives on the line
They were all risking their tomorrows
So that today I might enjoy mine
Dennis Shrubshall 2nd July 2023
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
05/07/2023
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H M S Wave 1952
Now here’s a photo from the past
History in the making
When H M S Wave was driven onshore and holed
And for the spectators found it breathtaking
In September 1952 H M S Wave
Sheltered from a storm in St Ives Bay
But sadly her anchor chain broke
And she was driven onshore and holed on that day
Most of the crew used Breeches buoy
To come to safety onshore
Whilst the rest of the Crew stayed aboard
Until the ship was afloat once more
Which happened when 2 Boom Vessels arrived
Filling the holes with 2 large balloons
And towing H M S Wave to Devonport
Fo9r repair using dry dock or floating pontoons
The ship had an acti9ve life as Minesweeper
During the latter W W 2 years
And thereafter as a Fishery Protection Vessels
To allay the Cornish Fishermen’s fears
For 2 years H M S Wave was the Senior Officers Ship
Until 1958
When the ship was scrapped at Gatesheat
1968 was the ultimate date
Dennis Shrubshall 5th July 2023
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
15/08/2023
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On Freedom’s Wings
To all those people in Lincolnshire
Who have a long time legacy from W W 2
Remembering those Wartime fliers
And this is now what they will do
A steel podium has been erected
Upon which the Lancaster they will mount
Hiding the steel work with a shroud of Poppies
So many for those who wish to count
The wingspan will be 31 metres wide
The statue will be 29 metres high
Mounted on a shrouded steel plinth
To give the impression of flying by
All of the work is carried out by local companies
Bearing the brunt of the cost
As a lasting memorial tribute
To all those Fliers and those that were lost
So if you travel by Norton Disney
On the A46 driving back and forth
You will see this wonderful Memorial
Which by the way is 9 metres bigger than the Angel of the North
Dennis Shrubshall 6th March 2022
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
25/08/2023
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The Mast H M S Ganges
Now here’s a sight of History
Remembered by Naval recruits across the Natiuon
For some a fear of what might happen
To others a sign of jubilation
For this was H M S Ganges
A Royal Naval training School
For many it was where they began their Training
Memories of where the C P O’s used to Drool
As they shouted out their orders
For everyone present to obey
And when it was the day to man the mast
Some were known to just hope and pray
For to see the spars and Mast fully manned
Was definitely something quite unique
Sailors as far as the could see
And one Sailor holding on by his knees at the peak
The Mast has now been refurbished
Although the site as a Museum still stands
But the Memory of H M S Ganges lives on
With Sailors maybe wringing their hands
For after they left here to join their given Ship
A fully fledged Sailor to become
Learning of life at Sea aboard Ship
And a daily ration of Nelsons Blood Pussers Rum
Dennis Shrubshall 25th August 2023
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
02/10/2023
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The Lancaster 3
Sitting here with the scene before me
Of a Lancaster Bomber in a country now at Peace
My mind flashes back to my childhood
When we knew not when Hostilities would cease
Airborne attacks by the Lufftwaffe
Became a part of our everyday life
Bombs raining down like confetti
Causing Death & Destruction and Strife
Then the R A F flew sorties in retaliation
To German cities far away
Hitting targets to slow down the enemy production
Mostly at Night and sometimes during the day
I remember well of times in the darkness
When I lay awake in my bed
Of the drone of the Lancaster’s engines
As fully loaded with bombs they flew over head
But sadly their losses were many
And thousands of young lives were lost
To help thwart the progress of the enemy
Their ultimate sacrifice was the devastating cost
They left an everlasting Memorial
As they fly in many an Aerial Display
Flanked by a few trusty Spitfires
The fighter escort as they were in their day
Dennis Shrubshall 22nd May 2019
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dennis shrubshall Posts: 1541
24/10/2023
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Warhorse
At the start of W W 1 it seems
The Strategy of Warfare had changed
No longer was the Horse mounted Cavalry
The best defence that could be arranged
But the horse was now essential
In many a various role
For movement of men and equipment
But the enemy machine guns took a heavy toll
They were used by the Artillery
Pulling Guns and Ammunition
Moving troops and Ambulances
For the injured and men in serious condition
The use of Horses was paramount
As they countered the weather rain and mud
Where motorised and tracked vehicles
Were seldom suitable or any good
But their losses were heavy
Through gunfire and lack of care
Fodder was insufficient
For all the animals to have enough to share
Apart from all heavy horses there were Mules and Donkeys too
With heavy packs upon their backs to keep supplies coming through
Through lack of food and injuries
Many Animals fell and died
And the rotting carcases spread disease
To the troops who passed by their side
Looking back it’s hard to imagine
What World War 1 had cost
8 Million Horses Mules and Donkeys
And 900,000 Military men’s lives were lost
Dennis Shrubshall 27th October 2019
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