Police - Fred Knight, Our Drill Instructor Poem by Paul Warren

I think back to our Fort Largs drill instructor
One Fred Knight an old Guardsman soldier
He fought the Germans in the Desert War
Then came to Australia as a 10 pound Pom settler

Afterwards he enlisted to South Australia Police pitch
To teach us to march was where he found his niche
And he introduced us to firearms on the outside range
Taking us through each step as the pistol was explained

He had his own language that we had to learn
And he bellowed out his orders across the parade at each turn
There was bahrrrr instead of one for counting was important
As the two -tree for two - three as instructions he would vent

There was a parade stick that opened to measure about
Counting steps we'd take across the parade marching out
But what he did was give us a bearing in public display
As after three years we graduated stepping out his way.

© Paul Warren Poetry