Lost Shipmates
Ode to a Long Lost Shipmate

'Twas a day so many long years ago,
When I first met some men, whom I grew to know.
It was then at a time when we were at war.
And off went these men to a foreign shore!
For almost two years they share their life.
With man's two worst evils, war and strife.
They lived their lives as close to another,
And became to each one just like a brother.
They fought the long war with all that they had,
Through invasions, bombings and air raids as bad.
Some of these men, death did certainly spurn,
And many to life they did not return.
And then the war was a thing of the past,
They went home to their loved ones, a life to be cast.
Forging through years with their hopes to survive,
And to make the new Democracy thrive.
Many years later in our empty old nest,
A thought came to mind: What became of the rest?
Of those whom we spent every war-time fear,
And to find them, and to share our memories so clear.
After looking through books for many an hour.
Service records and letters we did certainly scour.
And then we found some names long gone by,
We let out a yell, and then we did cry.
So many a month of searching was past.
We had found some shipmates at very long last
For now our lives are finally joined once more.
Together with hope as we returned to this shore.
From men who had left with much unending fears,
Are now enjoying their final few years.
Still hope that they have passed along,
Some help to the world they had fought for so long.
That some gave their lives to help us be great,
While others that are left, can only await,
The Time when our GOD does say at the end,
"WELL DONE, THOU TRUE AND FAITHFUL FRIEND!"

If anyone is looking for a long lost shipmate, I have been advised that a new site has been developed to cater for searches among naval personnel. This site can be found at www.oldoppos.co.uk. There are two levels . The first is for basic particulars and is FREE and would perhaps cater for most peoples needs. The second  requires a £5 registration fee and allows you to upload photographs to the site.   You may,however, prefer to join The Vanguard Veterans' Association and perhaps meet your lost shipmates in the flesh at one of the Reunions.  Please click here for more details of the Association.
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A further service for the search of former shipmates  is also available at:-
The basic service is free and is a very easy way of uploading your details of service etc. and of finding those lost shipmates
(Click here for link)