Dad's Life Poem by Douglas McClarty

Moscow on the river Volga
Were Jock my dad was born
A proud Scot the son of John
Douglas was his chosen name
His eighteenth year he moved from home

He travelled south to Carlisle town
Another step in his life's unplanned journey
With his tradesman's ticket now in hand.
The calling came for this young man
To fight for his country in a foreign land.

The green fields of France now red with blood
His countrymen, friends fell in ditches and mud
Wounded and weary plucked from Dunkirk's shore
He survived the horror on the beaches of hell
Back from the shores of his life's darkest hour.

Wounded body and soul the scars of war
A young Scot grew strong once again
Destiny was calling, a journey unplanned
Across the sea to a green Celtic land.
Ireland was this proud Scots new home.

From Downhill castle across the Atlantic sea
The sight of Isla, the Mull, feeling closer to home
But love sought him out dictating life's plan
The Castlerock bells rang on a summers day
Announcing Jock and Helens love as one.

With the passing of war, the blossoms of peace
Two young married Scots now build a home
Like the season of spring new life is born
Sons and Daughters complete their lives.
Now both lie in peace looking towards the sea.