By Tomas ‘Paddy’ Hamilton

It was a time of revolution, with monarchs on their knees Freedom and the rights of man, were carried on

THERE’S A PASSAGE IN THE BIBLE, I TRUELY DO BELIEVE A TIME TO LOVE, A TIME TO LAUGH AND A

There are those in this great country, who stand out in a crowd And overcome adversity, to make our nation

No one gives a second glance, as we fly through the sky When we cruise overhead, few will wonder why

When night falls like an evil veil, you’re out there on patrol To protect the weak and uphold the law,

IT WAS THE FESTIVE SEASON, SO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN A TALE OF HAPPINESS, WOULD SUDDENLY TURN TO WOE THEY

This town is still familiar, for I lived here long ago Gazing down Kelly St, the memories begin to flow

Wartime fighter pilots, gallant knights of the air Few would ever make that claim, they wouldn’t ever dare Bobby Gibbes

For twelve months, this place has been, the sum of all our fears But sadly, for many, it was their

I stand here this time each year, in the soft grey light of dawn To pay a silent tribute, to

They all called us “Chocos”, cause we’d melt in the battle’s heat Yet we were sent in harms’ way, when

I stand upon my lonely plinth, my eyes a stony gaze ‘Tis here I greet the morning sun, or watch

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the unveiling of the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park London – 28 June

There’s a soldier’s memorial at the end of our street, from a war they claim we lost For 41 Australian

. PEOPLE RARELY SEE MY FACE. IT HIDES BEHIND A MASK TO FREE ME FROM ITS VACANT STARE, IS NOT

. Everything was surreal, the calm before the storm With G&T at Raffles and playing bridge till dawn They swept

We fought like ancient Spartans, with no shame or fear Amongst the tales of bravery, very few came near During

WE ARRIVED HERE MANY YEARS AGO, BUT NOW I STAND ALONE BENEATH THE MOUNTAIN’S SHADOW, IN THE HUNTER TOWN OF

Barney was a treasure, one of my great finds We met up in hospital, where they patched up broken minds