Three Brothers

Born in Yarrawonga, three brothers side by side, 1889, ’92, ’98 — the Murray running wide. Born as sons of Britain on a young Australian plain, Three boys who never dreamed how far their feet would range. Gallipoli had spoken, its horror plain to see, But still they signed their papers for the distant infantry. A bullocky and two labourers, steady as they came, Not chasing glory’s fire — just answering their name. Bill joined the Fifth Light Horse, the desert in his eyes, Kabinga out of Sydney beneath the southern skies. Through Gaza’s burning ridges, through Palestine’s dry air, Till fever laid him low and sent him home from there. Alf and young George together, their numbers near the same, Seang Choon bound for England — Durban knew their name. A mutiny for shore leave, the Aussies made their stand, Then Plymouth rose before them, a cold and distant land. George fought through Bullecourt, Messines and Polygon Wood, A nineteen year old soldier doing more than any boy should. Passchendaele claimed him early in the mud and choking rain — A nineteen year old digger pushed far past what youth can sustain. They said he lay near Passiondale, a thousand yards from town, A thousand more from Zonnabeck where the poppies still blow down. But four thousand yards divide them, and no marker holds his name — So the Menin Gate remembers him where silence guards the flame Alf’s eyes failed in England, the truth he couldn’t hide, Maybe hurt in South Africa on a rough old rugby ride. He was home a year to the day from when he first signed on, A soldier who returned — but carried what was gone. Bill made it back to Queensland, Alf lived to seventy eight, Two brothers who kept going while mourning George’s fate. Three sons of Yarrawonga, three stories intertwined — One rests in foreign soil, two carried him in mind. And though George died unmarried, no children of his own, His story travelled forward through a family he’d never known. His nephew keeps his memory, his portrait on the wall — And now his great great nephews rise to answer when he calls.