Captain W. A. J. O'Meara, Chief Intelligence Officer.
Captain P. Holland-Pryor, D.A.A., General.
Given under my hand at Bloemfontein, this Fourth Day of April, 1900.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
Roberts, Field Marshal,
Commanding-in-Chief British Forces in South Africa.
SOLDIERS OF THE QUEEN.
BY FRED EYRE, YORKSHIRE GREEN HOWARDS.
Far in a land so distant,
Out on the battle-field,
Raising the lance or carbine,
Or a sharp-edged sword they wield.
There lie the British Soldiers,
Fighting for home and Queen,
Marching by day, and by night as well,
Hard times are often seen.
Weary they tramp for their Country,
Marching when only half fed;
He'll rest where he can when they're halted,
Without sheet or blanket or bed.
Dreams of sweet home and of childhood
Will pass through his weary brain,
Restless he'll lie till morning,
Then he'll move on the march again.
But what of his wife and baby,
That he's left far behind at home?
Where is their love's protection?
Where is his heart to roam?
Urged on by a stern Commander,
Pushed by a Sergeant there,
Bullied by bits of Lance Corporals,
No wonder the poor soldiers swear.