Ruskin logs, 1914-1918 / Alfred Ruskin - Page 75

[Page 75]

Weather still continues to be fine and we are making good progress averaging about 320 miles per day.

27th.
Weather very wet and miserable, all are longing for Melbourne and relief to receive orders to land troops 10 AM. Sunday.

This Trip though being my 5th Trip to Australia is the finest passage I have made via the Cape. So I will bring my Log to a Close.

I am
Yours Sincerely
Alfred Ruskin.
Stoker
H.M.A.S. Sydney.

Vale!
Hundreds of corpses have been floating in the North Sea near the scene of the Jutland Battle.
Washing about in the cold Salt wave, stark in the grim North Sea,
The corpses of the men who died when the battle flags flew free,
Briton and Teuton alike at rest, though tossed by the careless wave,
Flotsam adrift from the Jutland fight when brave men fought with leave.
What matter the flags that above them flew, the name of their native land?
Each did the bidding of those above, and died that their wills might stand,
They stood to their great iron-throated guns, when the Battle thunders rolled
Offering their lives for their Country's sake, bravely as Knights of Old.
God rest their Souls, for if souls there be they have earned a sweet repose,
Briton and Teuton who passed alike where the chill, grey sea fog blows
They passed like men from a world that shrieks for the blood that its best can give
God send us a better and wiser day when the world wants men to live!