Great Uncle Rupert we are Grateful That You Served Your Country And Gave Your Life So That We Have Our Today. Your beloved sisters Amy, Elsie & Adelaide and brother Stanley cherished your memory, as do your descendants. We wish you had grown old for us to know you. Your Bravery & Sacrifice Will Never Be Forgotten. Long May You Be Remembered and live in our hearts forever. Rupert was cousin to both Sidney Alfred Maddison 1646, 1st, Australian Light Horse who died on 31 October 1917 Age 35 and buried at Beersheba War Cemetery and Charles Robert Diggs 3629, 54th Bn., Australian Infantry, A.I.F. who died on 02 September 1918 Age 21 and buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension. Lest we forget. Regina Troy and Meg Lawther Great Nieces This is a poem written by Rupert. Who it was written for is unknown OUT IN THE LONELY GRAVEYARD BENEATH THE LONELY SOD, THERE LIES ONE BROTHER SLEEPING, RESTING IN PEACE WITH GOD. OH HOW MY HEART IS ACHING, WHEN I THINK OF HOW YOU DIED, TO THINK I COULD NOT SPEAK TO YOU, BEFORE YOU CLOSED YOUR EYES. THE DAYS ARE LONG AND LONESOME SINCE I HAVE BEEN AWAY, BUT I’LL TRUST IN GOD TO DO RIGHT THROUGHOUT MY FUTURE DAYS. MY SISTERS AND MY BROTHERS AND MY DEAR OLD MOTHER,TOO, HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO TEACH ME, TO BE HONEST, GOOD AND TRUE. SO WHEN YOUR THOUGHTS THEY LINGER TO FRIENDS FAR-FAR AWAY, WILL YOU THINK AND PLEASE REMEMBER FOR HOW I LONG FOR YOU THIS DAY. JUST SEND A WELCOME LETTER, TO TELL ME HOW YOU ARE, AND IF A HONEST LIFE WILL LIVE, JUST SAY ‘THAT YOU’ WILL ME FORGIVE. AND ALL I SAY TO YOU IS TRUE, IN THIS HERE VERSE OR TWO TO YOU, FOR A BETTER FRIEND I NEVER KNEW, THAN POOR DEAR MOTHER ,FRANK AND YOU. THE END. SIGNED R.C. MCKEON

Regina Troy