It was just before dawn

One miserable morning in black 'forty four

When the forward commander

Was told to sit tight

When he asked that his men be withdrawn

And the Generals gave thanks

As the other ranks held back

The enemy tanks for a while

And the Anzio bridgehead

Was held for the price

Of a few hundred ordinary lives

And kind old King George

Sent mother a note

When he heard that father was gone

It was, I recall

In the form of a scroll

With gold leaf adorned

And I found it one day

In a drawer of old photographs, hidden away

And my eyes still grow damp to remember

His Majesty signed

With his own…