10 OCTOBER 1987, Page 33

War Graves at El Alamein

When they were little children they explored Forests dense with dangers, were pursued By beast, or giant, wielding knife or sword.

And terrified they found their feet were glued Firmly to the ground; they could not scream Or run, yet they were never stabbed or gored But always woke to find it just a dream.

Years and nightmares later they became Old enough to put on uniform, And in parched throats they gagged upon the same Taste of childhood terror in a storm Of killing thunder they must battle through.

Now, unimportant pieces in the game, They sleep and know that last bad dream was true.

Vernon Scannell