Tales of a Thames fisherman

Talk of the Thames columnist Paul Gilson's book 'Sole Searching' is now published by Estuary Publishing. A compendium of short stories and poems drawn from Paul's lifetime of experiences on the water.

Six Boats

Six boats left Leigh old town
Not knowing where they were bound
Cockle boats one and all
They had answered the nations call

The British army was trapped in France
Trying to stop the German advance
They had been beaten back to the beach
Leaving the navy out of reach

After several days of evacuation
More was needed, some drastic action
From river and creek around the coast
It was little ships they needed most

Ferries fishers and pleasure craft
Any thing with little draft
Our cockle boats met this criteria
In shallow water they were superior

To the beaches they did go
Ferrying soldiers to and fro
They were manned by all and sundry
Possibly back in the office by Monday

Organised chaos we are told
Many stories would leave us cold
But one we will tell again and again
Despite the loss and the pain

One of ours the little Renown
Did not come back to the old town
A mine was her demise
She was only small, vaporised

We must never forget what they gave
For them there is no grave
Remember them and the others too
They saved our army for me and you.

Paul Gilson - September 2011

From 'Sole Searching' published December 2011

http://www.estuarypublishing.co.uk/