Bracknell Royal Naval Association

A Christmas Dinner hosted by the Bracknell RNA, included members of the Binfield Royal British Legion and members of the Royal Air Force Association - with entertainment provided by our Song Fairy India Jones, she done us proud again.

It’s Christmas Day - All Is Secure

It Was The Night Before Christmas, He Lived All Alone,
In A One Bedroom House Made Of Plaster And Stone
I Had Come Down The Chimney With Presents To Give
And To See Just Who In This Home Did Live

I Looked All About - A Strange Sight I Did See ;
No Tinsel No Presents Not Even A Tree.
No Stocking By The Mantle, Just Boots Filled With Sand,
On The Wall Hung Pictures Of Far Distant Lands.
With Medals And Badges, Awards Of All Kinds,
A Sober Thought Came Through My Mind

For This House Was Different - It Was Dark And Dreary ;
I Found The Home Of A Soldier. Once I Could See Clearly
The Soldier Lay Sleeping Silent Alone
Curled Up On The Floor In This One Bedroom Home

The Face Was So Gentle ; The Room In Such Disorder,
Not How I Pictured A Lone British Soldier.
Was This The Hero Of Whom I'd Just Read
Curled Up On A Poncho The Floor For A Bed

I Realised The Families That I Saw This Night
Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers Who Were Willing To Fight.
Soon Round The World The Children Would Play
And Grownups Would Celebrate A Bright Christmas Day

They All Enjoy Freedom Each Month Of The Year
Because Of The Soldiers, Like The One Lying Here.
I Couldn't Help Wonder How Many Alone
On A Cold Christmas Eve In A Land Far From Home

The Very Thought Brought A Tear To My Eye,
I Dropped To My Knees And Started To Cry.
The Soldier Awakened And I Heard A Rough Voice
'Santa, Don't Cry - This Life Is My Choice
I Fight For Freedom, I Don't Ask For More.
My Life Is My God, My Country, My Corps'

The Soldier Rolled Over And Drifted To Sleep.
I Couldn't Control It I Continued To Weep.
I Kept Watch For Hours So Silent And Still
And We Both Sat And Shivered From The Cold Night's Chill.
I Didn't Want To Leave On That Cold Dark Night
This Guardian Of Honour So Willing To Fight

Then The Soldier Rolled Over With A Voice Soft And Pure
Whispered 'Carry On Santa, It's Christmas Day - All Is Secure'
One Look At My Watch And I Knew He Was Right
'Happy Christmas My Friend And To All - A Good Night'

.....

This Poem Read by Shipmate Bidwell and Was Written By A Peace- Keeping Soldier Stationed Overseas.