CLARK Sherran - Tell It How It Is

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to all who have helped and contributed tothis book. You gave me the inspiration and I am indebted to you

all.

Rfn George Clark 2 RiflesRfn Allan Arnold RIP 2 Rifles

Rfn Will Aldridge RIP 2 RiflesDrummer Lee Rigby 2nd Batt, Royal Fusiliers

Pte Daniel Wade RIP 3rd Batt, The Yorkshire RegimentThe fallen in 2009 2 Rifles

Lft James Amoore 2 Rifles 2011-2012For his incredible dedication on

grooming 2 Rifles, Afghanistan, 2011-2012

Cpl Ricky Furgusson For his courage and inspiration forwriting ‘The Battle Scars’

Posthumously to Every member of the UnitedKingdom’s Armed Forces too

numerous to mention may you all restin peace.

Actively to Every member of Armed Forces who

have served in armed combat in

Afghanistan and sustained horrificinjuries but have done so much to helpothers. I salute you all.

To the families God bless you all, my heart is with you.

HRH The Prince of WalesHRH The Duchess of Cornwall

HRH The Duke of Cambridge

HRH Prince HarryHRH The QueenHRH The Duke of Edinburgh

HRH The Earl of Wessex


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My thanks to you all for your interest and support throughout, myson George’s deployment to Afghanistan 2011-2012.

And finally, an exceptional word of thanks to all at Help for

Heroes, and Combat Stress, who give unwavering support to thosewho need them. My eternal thanks and respect. I’d also like to

thank the great British public who recognise what we have in eachand every member of our Armed Forces. May we always be proud.


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T L L

I T

H O W

I T

I S


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Copyright © Sherran Clark (2014)

The right of Sherran Clark to be identified as author of this workhas been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of

the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, orotherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this

publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claimsfor damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British

Library.

ISBN 978 178455 302 9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978 1 78455 304 3 (Hardback)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2014)Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada SquareCanary Wharf

LondonE14 5LB

Printed and bound in Great Britain


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Introduction

It may not come as a surprise to you to be reading yet another book about war and Afghanistan. However, can enough ever be

written or read about this? Will we ever be lulled into a falsesense that war will ever stop, or never rear its ugly head inanother part of the world? Sadly not.

My book is one of many. It is not the first and I doubt it will

be the last. I have attempted to capture the war experience, notonly of the troops themselves, but of the loved ones left behind

who have to deal with its effects on a day to day basis.This has taken over two years to write. I’d like to say it’s

been a pleasure, but it hasn’t. I will, however, say that it’s beena labour of love, and an honour to highlight what all membersof the Armed Forces go through in the name of attaining peace

in war-torn lands and securing peace and freedom here inEngland.Recently that concept has been tainted by the murder of

Drummer Lee Rigby. Even a writer can’t find the words tomake sense of why this took place in London in broad daylight.

As many have said, even dreadful casualties in Afghanistan are part and parcel of the risks we have to accept when troops aredeployed. Witnessing a cold blooded murder on home soil is

something none of us were in any way prepared for.I’m sure I’m not the only one who wonders why the world

cannot live in peace in this day and age,. Do we have to ask

ourselves what exactly ‘kicks’ it off? Is it purely down tocultural differences, or the distribution of wealth? Or is it purely

based on a desire to attain religious supremacy? There has to be

a reason, not just an excuse. This is not a recent dilemma. It’s been happening throughout the history of the planet, and as of

yet, has it done any good?That is the question, but what is the answer? I am not a

politician, I am not a religious leader. I am just a mother of a

child who served in the British Army, and my story aims to


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capture the essence of what my son went through. I trust thatyou will glean an insight and an understanding as to why Ichose to write in the first place. I also trust that you will gain a

better understanding of the war experience, and continue tosupport our troops when they are overseas, but more especially

at home.


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Section One

The Departure


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Our Colonel, With Thanks

(2 Rifles)

Words may be a full day’s march

a tour away, in a desert storm,maybe never uttered face to faceeyes front, within a heart beats warm.

A figurehead we serve with pridegratitude that sings with one true voice,2 Rifles Swift and Bold are we

and with honour through the ranks rejoice.

Queen and country signed up forto fight, defend, our hallowed realm,our Monarch’s son, resplendent

and grateful, you are at the helm.Times so hard they lay before usno guarantee that we’ll return,

Afghanistan the quilt blood-wovenwith threads there frayed, lessons to learn.

Rarely do we shake your handwhen all salute, no words suffice,

what would we say, that hasn’t been uttered you know the picture’s far from nice.Green and brown, with boots dust laden

with rifles poised, sun-baked and tired,our mission to defeat the enemywith every bullet, ever fired.


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Times you come to visit meraise spirits, more than you can know,so much at stake we stand united

we stand before you, row by row.Once at ease, if that’s an option

amidst the camp that we call home,a far cry from the warmth of home firesdaily patrols amidst war, we roam.

Miles away, there lies all familiarlies all that’s safe, lies all that’s sweet,

and every footprint ever trodeach blister pierces 2 Rifles’ feet.

Dodge the traps that aim to kill usthe mighty Vallon, prepares the way,with luck, and with God’s will maybe

such throbbing feet, march home one day.

Swift and Bold, out battalion’s motto

ingrained, and executed strong,our purpose is to serve with all we have

until we’re home, where we belong. Six months spent in combat, enduringin camps, or within armoured tanks,

it isn’t pretty, it’s war, we’re soldiers your soldiers Colonel, salute you, with thanks.


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‘Swift and Bold’

Praise the virtue, those the bravethe infantry, so primed and honed,trained not to surrender fast

their mission, purpose, gallant loaned.Crouch upon an unknown soil

where trust and friendship settle,

each grain beneath the riflemenkeeps them focused, on their mettle.

Body armour lies beneaththeir camouflaged attire,

protecting skin and sinewwhen exposed to guns that fire.

Weapons that adorn themas though harnessed unrelenting, become a constant part of them

for the job, the power, venting.

Swift and bold 2 Rifles

words that they encompass now,speed and sheer determination

that raise hopes, and drama endow. Never thinking all is lostEvery breath and movement clear,

To gain advantage, seize the task No matter how tough or austere.


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Bonds there forged, defy the oddsall for one, and one for all,no task is ever too much

whether great, or whether small.United, close-knit, unified

Close as any men can be,2 Rifles, swift and boldFrom start to finish, brave infantry.

Deployed to do the job in handthe training, now completed,

this time, reality embracedto fight, then return, undefeated.

To help the land, the peoplewho in chaos will unfold,restoring order, that’s their task

brave 2 Rifles, swift and bold.


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Tell It How It Is

Don’t dare paint a pretty portrait Paint is now replaced with blood,Colours merge in hues of red

Within, beneath, the blood-stained mud.Don’t dare ask me for a canvas

as there ain’t one big enough,

to store the images of wardon’t look, don’t stare, it’s far too tough.

Never think an image capturedcan convey what we have seen,

just tell it how it is you knowit’s dirty, desolate, unclean.

Words that struggle labour, ladenink that dries, is caught herein,every letter, sentence, stanza

bleeds and vomits, dies within.

Don’t dare tell me it is over

you don’t know, you were not there, and thank God that you weren’t

your tears of pity, and despair.This ain’t some game shot in glamour what you see tore us to shreds,

day and night, it’s ugly, endless as you sleep in your beds.


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Am I damaged? Too damned rightwill I forget? NO, no chance,what I have seen will haunt me

I’ll remember every circumstance. War’s ingrained like a tattoo

your skin will crawl with every thought,I’ll tell you how it is my friend It’s the hardest battle I’ve ever fought.


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If I Could

You don’t have to say a word Silence screams are all it takes,as words that fail to raise a sound

I know how much your heart breaks.At times like this it’s futile

I can’t put your mind at ease,

it’s hard for you to let me go as you wave goodbye, I freeze.

Too proud now to cry a teartoo proud, to let you know,

too proud, to show my weaknessand my thoughts of you just grow.

You’re suffering, you’re frightenedas you watch me walk away, but you know that’s my duty

it’s the price I have to pay.

So much we have all shared

profiles raised in all degrees,despatched to train as soldiers

groomed and primed in extremities.I know that you are proud of meand that thought I carry now,

it keeps me strong and focusedmakes sense of all this somehow.


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All my life you’ve been there as a parent, as a friend,you’ve made me into the man that

stands before you, on you I can depend.I know that this must be

That hardest thing you’ll ever do, To trust in God’s protection Till I’m home again with you.

Yes it’s true it’s tough for us but in honesty we’re fine,

we’re close, as any men could be even more on the front line.

You can’t be there in person to protect your flesh and blood,it’s so much harder for you

I know, your tears for me, a flood.

Just know that it’s destiny

every day’s not set in stone, for you, for me, for anyone

every second, hour, flown.And if I could I’d change it that’s what I’m trying to do,

and if I could, I would returnif I could, I’d be with you.


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The Soldier’s Lament

A boy that cries the day he’s born will shed many a tear,a mother who looks on

will be his anchor, always near,she’ll do her best to comfort him

and although she must step back,

her arms will hold him tightestwhen he feels under attack.

A boy that cries alone at nightwhen the darkness blinds his eyes,

will never be alone because his mother hears his cries.

She’ll do her best to comfort him and although she isn’t there,her love and understanding

tells him, she will always care.

A boy that cries in secrecy

on the verge of becoming a man.can always turn to her

why? Because he knows he can.She’ll do her best to show him that no matter how old he is,

her child will always be hersand she will always be his.


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A man who cries in tormentwill never be far from her side,today he is a soldier

and he’s filled her heart with pride. She’ll be the bullet that he fires

she’ll be the gentle breeze, she’ll be beside him everywhere

just one thought, or tender squeeze.

A soldier stands before her nowit’s her tear s tonight that fall,

her flesh and blood so preciousis the greatest gift of all.

She’ll be the one to let him go and although it breaks her heart,she knows the bond will never break

and they’ll never be apart.

A mother’s love is strongest

Something you can depend upon,It will survive a lifetime

Like a beacon, true and strong.She’ll be your blood, your oxygen no matter where you be,

a mother’s love is yours, my sonI’m part of you, you’re part of me.


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I’m With You

There he stands, the soldierresplendent, on parade,trained, the task ingrained

that’s the choice that he has made. Joined the British Army

where one day he’ll go to war,

his eyes say more than spoken wordsas he marches out the door.

Plucked from warmth and safetyto a world that beats in pain,

deployed to war from this great homelandthat he may never see again.

Taking risks and servingQueen and country with great pride, just know that you are not alone

as I’m always by your side.

Deep within a heart beats strong

with a purpose great and true,he knows it won’t be easy

but it’s what he’s there to do. Every day that dawns for himit may well be his last,

but you are never out of mindas the shadows of night are cast.


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There he stands the soldierwith a rifle in his hand,

poised to slay the enemy

in this troubled, stricken land.The sky is torn in torment

his soul cries out for peace,his heart has only hopethat he’ll return, this nightmare cease.

Walk in glory, raise your headknow, you’re all you’ll ever be,

the one who’s given all you could and with such integrity.

Should you not return to methen one thing you know is true,every breath you feel, whether yours

or mine soldier , just know I’m with you.

Raise your eyes towards the sky

Walk with purpose, every day,trust the love that made you

who will welcome you one day.Return with pride and principlethat in hard times will ring true,

applause will be your just rewardwhen you’re home, when I’m with you.


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Mother To Mother

I saw the look of innocencethe anticipation, and the preparation,your son’s young, more so than mine

such a brave face yours, both fight for our nation.From a brief request in a supermarket

that moment almost lost, was somehow saved,

found what you wanted for your precious boyand a bond in that moment was made.

It brought back the time, when in your shoesI too, scoured for things he’d want to eat,

such experience, I vowed would not be wastedwas it fate? That you and I should meet?

They say that soldiers magnetiselike they’re drawn together like an unknown force, then maybe the same applies to mothers

I’ll be here for you, my pledge, of course.

I know only too well, every thought you’re thinking

place your trust that all will go to plan,as they have a dream to join the army

and from child, they grow into a man.Your boy, sixteen, and full of vim and vigoursees a future exciting, in the Paras soon,

off to train then based in Colchester, bless himyoung yet brave, and focused, from your flesh he’s hewn.


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I can taste each breath you draw each dayI can taste each worry you hold deep inside,know you’ve got to let him go, it’s so hard

but your boy will fill your heart with pride.Mothers play a role that has no boundaries

where no compromise has a place, I know,were the mainstay, in their world, untetheredand in all ways needed, my support, I’ll show.

And at times, a hug is all that’s needed I don’t know you, neither do you know me,

but in time each Sunday, Monday, Tuesdayhere at Waitrose, Esher, then there I will be.

It doesn’t matter if I’m busy, stop meas time is not my master, if you need to talk,everything you feel, then I’m here to listen

each step taken, I’ve done it, in your shoes walk.

Mother to mother, signed up in our Army

each child born a blank canvas from day one,we don’t know, how can we, what they’ll grow into

be they a daughter, or whether they be a son.I salute your son, mine has served, now it’s over everything you go through, so have I,

you can lean on me in times of tormentmother to mother, on me, you can rely.

CLARK Sherran - Tell It How It Is

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