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In the Service of His Country - Vivat Haileyburia by Martin Romilly

In the Service of His Country

 

Vivat Haileyburia

 

I first saw our beautiful Chapel in the nineteen fifties

What a memorable, inspiring holy place,

Movingly attracting me back in my early seventies,

Chapel, the heart of our school, so full of grace.

 

'New governors' were seated at the front; I was on the right

With time to peruse, pray and soak up God's atmosphere.

Such a formative and special time, spent in God's sight,

Soon before my eyes something was to appear.

 

The latest inscribed memorial tablet caught my gaze

Second Lieutenant John Doig of Bartle Frere.

He joined the Black Watch, full of praise

Then, aged just twenty, he was killed in Korea.

 

John Doig was killed at the battle of The Hook

In the service of his country he gave his life, so brave.

At his marble memorial tablet every day I would look,

I thought about him and all he so nobly gave.

 

In his memory, my country I want to serve,

So just like John Doig I became a soldier

To serve, to serve, to serve, to serve

I still think of him now that I am much older.

 

I attended the sesquicentennial anniversary celebration

And the moving service in the Chapel, beautiful as ever,

With the remarkable stained glass windows' dedication.

Such a happy day, full of memories, blessed with fine weather.

 

'Old boys' were seated at the front; I was on the right

I did not need to look as I could only stare

Forever he is there a beam of shining glorious light

Second Lieutenant John Doig of Bartle Frere.

 

Sursum Corda

 

Martin Romilly                                                              8 May 2014

 

Thomason 1956-61

 

Originally Written: 23-Dec-2014 13:20, Last Updated: 23-Dec-2014 13:20