BLUEY, JACK AND ME
- Vic.Jefferies
With the British surrender of Singapore in February 1942, approximately one
hundred and thirty thousand allied troops became prisoners of the Japanese
Army. Seventeen thousand of that number were Australians, mainly from the
8th Division, A.I.F.
A further three and a half thousand Australians were taken prisoner during
the war in the Pacific. Nearly eight thousand of those captured died, or
were killed, while suffering years of unimaginable hardship, starvation,
torture and degradation at the hands of their captors. Many more died soon
after returning home.
However, never had the world see a finer example of that inherent, almost
indefinable something that makes all true Australians unique. That special
something we call mateship
.
BLUEY, JACK AND ME.
One bit me for the makings - the other needed a light,
that was how I met these blokes if memory serves me right.
Although the years have flown away I never will forget
the mates I made that day over a lousy cigarette,
because then we boarded a ship leaving Circular Quay
and sailing off to fight the war went Bluey, Jack and me.
It was less than thirty years since our fathers earnt their fame
and every man amongst us swore we'd uphold that name,
for while our cobbers were serving almost every where,
we were going to be the mob to stop the japs "Up there."
As part of the Eighth Division went 'The Dreadful Three'
yes, that was what they called us then, Bluey, Jack and me.
Now history shows there was something wrong with our leader's plan
and how most of us became the prisoner's of Japan.
For years we stuck together determined we would live
giving to one another all we had that we could give,
that was not unusual and looking back it's plain to see,
dinkum mateship saved the lives of Bluey, Jack and me.
You can talk about your pals and chums even comrades too
but you never saw the likes of the friendship that we knew.
The other blokes in the camp who came from a different land
used to think we were brothers they could not understand:
mateship built Australia - it is how we are born to be -
then they had never seen mates like us, Bluey, Jack and me.
We cared for one another, sharing our scraps of bread,
I still remember Bluey bathing my fevered head
and how those crazy skeletons saved my worthless hide
by doing my share of work - if you couldn't work you died.
Jack declared, "There'll be none of that for The Dreadful Three!"
That was how we lived for years, Bluey, Jack and me.
So we battled on together through torment, pain and hell,
surviving in a manner simple words could never tell.
Till at last the war was won and on that glorious day
I recall how those who freed us turned their heads away;
they could not bear to look at - no they couldn't bear to see -
the almost dead who greeted them with Bluey, Jack and me.
Now I'm searching in my heart for the words I'd like to say,
while Blue left us years ago we're burying Jack today,
but as I see that soldier raise the bugle to his lip,
I have to quickly close my eyes and seek a firmer grip.
Because between their graves there's a plot reserved for me,
and I know it wont be long before once again we're three.
While I'm sure they wait in heaven - if perchance they've gone below,
Mate, that makes no difference because where they've gone I'll go.
Though I trust The Lord in his wisdom will readily agree,
mates like us should stay together throughout eternity,
and He would never separate the famous 'Dreadful Three'
'cause I reckon we might have earnt our keep - Bluey, Jack and me.
© V.R.Jefferies 2002
