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This poem was found in the papers of Laurence A. F. Smith of No.215 Squadron, and reflect the frustration felt by many in Burma's "forgotten army", even if in this case the author was in the forgotten Air Force. (Go to page two)
Dear Old Blighty (And the Boys Back There)
When you're sweating in the jungle and tomented by the flies
And you thing that life is getting rather tough,
Just give a thought to Blighty, where the hardship really lies
For the boys back there in England have it tough
When you've half a bottle of water to last you all the day
And decide? to have a 'brew' and not a wash.
Why for some poor chaps in Blighty the pub's a mile away
And they have to be content with lemon squash.
When you haven't read a paper for more than two long months
And Xmas mail just reached you by May
Those lonesome boys in Blighty are really in the cold
With homes quite fifty miles away.
When you've had six months of Bengal and only two days leave
And you never see a woman or a Pub,
Put your mind again to Blighty, and the way the boys must grieve
When they only get alternate weekends free
So why should we be selfish and have a strong heart,
Whilest others sacrifice a life of ease
No! Just take us back to Blighty, there let us do our best
We can't complain - just get the tickets please!