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| A soldier's poem for the fallen | A soldier's poem for the fallen |
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| By Anna Adams Interactive reporter, BBC News | By Anna Adams Interactive reporter, BBC News |
| When Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane heard his eighth comrade had died in 24 hours he decided to put pen to paper. | When Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane heard his eighth comrade had died in 24 hours he decided to put pen to paper. |
| After almost 27 years in the Territorial Army and three international tours he's grown accustomed to attending vigils to remember the dead - but never so many in such a short period of time. | After almost 27 years in the Territorial Army and three international tours he's grown accustomed to attending vigils to remember the dead - but never so many in such a short period of time. |
| It took Andrew, who serves with the Adjutant General's Corps, less than an hour to write the six verses that are now circulating across the world after his wife put them on her Facebook page. | It took Andrew, who serves with the Adjutant General's Corps, less than an hour to write the six verses that are now circulating across the world after his wife put them on her Facebook page. |
| Speaking from Camp Bastion before the memorial service on Monday he said: "As you can imagine it's a subdued atmosphere tonight. I've been to vigils before but there are just too many happening at the moment. | Speaking from Camp Bastion before the memorial service on Monday he said: "As you can imagine it's a subdued atmosphere tonight. I've been to vigils before but there are just too many happening at the moment. |
| Read the poem | Read the poem |
| "I felt so emotional when I heard about the deaths here at the camp, especially the fact that they were just young lads, that I wrote the poem." | |
| Sgt McFarlane, 47, said: "I never expected it to be read by the public and I must admit I'm a bit over-awed by all the interest it's created. It was just something private that helped me." | Sgt McFarlane, 47, said: "I never expected it to be read by the public and I must admit I'm a bit over-awed by all the interest it's created. It was just something private that helped me." |
| The father of two is nine weeks into a 12-month tour of Afghanistan. It's his second tour in as many years. | The father of two is nine weeks into a 12-month tour of Afghanistan. It's his second tour in as many years. |
| He's written a few poems before but nothing quite like this. They are usually very personal but this one had me in tears Alison McFarlane, wife of Sgt McFarlane | He's written a few poems before but nothing quite like this. They are usually very personal but this one had me in tears Alison McFarlane, wife of Sgt McFarlane |
| Five of those who died on Friday were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles. They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse. The sixth was Cpl Lee Scott, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. | Five of those who died on Friday were members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles. They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse. The sixth was Cpl Lee Scott, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. |
| In the same 24 hours - the bloodiest since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 - Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, and Pte John Brackpool, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, also died. | In the same 24 hours - the bloodiest since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 - Rifleman Daniel Hume, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, and Pte John Brackpool, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, also died. |
| Andrew e-mailed the poem to his wife Alison McFarlane, who helps run a support group for military wives, in the hope it would bring some comfort to her friends at home. | Andrew e-mailed the poem to his wife Alison McFarlane, who helps run a support group for military wives, in the hope it would bring some comfort to her friends at home. |
| Alison of Bicester, Oxfordshire, said: "He's written me a few poems before but nothing quite like this. They are usually very personal but this one had me in tears and I had to share it with other people who have a loved one in the military. | Alison of Bicester, Oxfordshire, said: "He's written me a few poems before but nothing quite like this. They are usually very personal but this one had me in tears and I had to share it with other people who have a loved one in the military. |
| "You have to be stoic and get on with life but when I read his poem my eyes filled up with tears. | "You have to be stoic and get on with life but when I read his poem my eyes filled up with tears. |
| "I just thought of him sitting down to write this in 50 degree heat after an exhausting day. | "I just thought of him sitting down to write this in 50 degree heat after an exhausting day. |
| "I put it on Facebook so my friends could read it but I didn't realise it would circulate quite so far and so fast. It's even been on Twitter. | "I put it on Facebook so my friends could read it but I didn't realise it would circulate quite so far and so fast. It's even been on Twitter. |
| "All the attention is not really Andy's style but the poem has brought comfort to a lot of people who're left behind. And I'm proud of that." | "All the attention is not really Andy's style but the poem has brought comfort to a lot of people who're left behind. And I'm proud of that." |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |
| Sunset Vigil | Sunset Vigil |
| The news is spread far and wideAnother comrade has sadly diedA sunset vigil upon the sandAs a soldier leaves this foreign land | The news is spread far and wideAnother comrade has sadly diedA sunset vigil upon the sandAs a soldier leaves this foreign land |
| We stand alone, and yet as oneIn the fading light of a setting sunWe've all gathered to say goodbyeTo our fallen comrade who's set to fly | We stand alone, and yet as oneIn the fading light of a setting sunWe've all gathered to say goodbyeTo our fallen comrade who's set to fly |
| The eulogy's read about their lifeSometimes with words from pals or wifeWe all know when the CO's doneWhat kind of soldier they'd become | The eulogy's read about their lifeSometimes with words from pals or wifeWe all know when the CO's doneWhat kind of soldier they'd become |
| The padre then calls us all to prayThe bugler has Last Post to playThe cannon roars and belches flameWe will recall, with pride, their name | The padre then calls us all to prayThe bugler has Last Post to playThe cannon roars and belches flameWe will recall, with pride, their name |
| A minute's silence stood in placeAs tears roll down the hardest faceDeafening silence fills the airWith each of us in personal prayer | A minute's silence stood in placeAs tears roll down the hardest faceDeafening silence fills the airWith each of us in personal prayer |
| Reveille sounds and the parade is doneThe hero remembered, forgotten by noneThey leave to start the journey backIn a coffin draped in the Union Jack | Reveille sounds and the parade is doneThe hero remembered, forgotten by noneThey leave to start the journey backIn a coffin draped in the Union Jack |
| What is your reaction to this poem? You can send us your views using the form below: | What is your reaction to this poem? You can send us your views using the form below: |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |