A CENTURY OF SERVICE
The stench of dope and castor oil, no longer smelt today
As small fragile bi-planes, rose above Port Phillip Bay
A daring band of warriors, returned from the Western Front
Only too familiar, to the dangers, they would confront
The dreams of “Dickie” Williams and others who were wise
Wanted their own air force, to rule Australian skies
At first it wasn’t easy, when those plans were made
Inter-service jealousy said they’d never make the grade
Through hard times of the Depression, they knew what was in store
When the world was plunged into, another all out war
The free world was unprepared and was overwhelmed
To fight on against all odds, they were now compelled
Under manned and under armed, they knew what was at stake
Nations that fell like dominoes, they would not forsake
The Yanks finally came on board and joined them in the fray
They built s new alliance, that still survives today
Korea and Vietnam, names known from the past
A tragic reminder, that peace will never last
Yet there were other tasks, which put on extra strain
Floods, fires and earthquakes, saw their roles were not in vain
“Lest we forget” our heroes, who rolled the deadly dice
All those men and women, who paid the supreme price
Not a fake amongst them, no imposters or “poo bahs’
Per Ardua Ad Astra, “THROUGH ADVERSITY TO THE STARS.”
By Tomas ‘Paddy’ Hamilton
1 March 2021
FILE PHOTO: A RAAF heritage formation at the RAAF Base Amberley Airshow 2008 – Mustang, Vampire, Meteor, Hawk, Hornet. Photo by Brian Hartigan.
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