War - Ww1 Vc - Northern Territory - Lieutenantalfred Borella,26th Battalion,1st Aif Poem by Paul Warren

Alfred Borella was in the Northern Territory when the Great War was declared
They weren't taking recruits from the Territory as they couldn't be spared
But he wouldn't take no for an answer and decided to go to Townsville, Queensland
So he walked 140 km, swum swollen rivers, rode a horse and a sea voyage so grand
Eventually he enlisted in the 26th Battalion of the 1st AIF to go to War was his plan
And he went to Gallipoli in September 1915until the evacuation ended this stand

After Egypt the next call was to the Western Front battles to face the Germans
On the 1st of March,1917 Albert was with troops that attacked Warlencourt in its demand
Meant fighting was fierce and they captured the ground at Malt Trench with Lt Ward
He showed real coolness and devotion to duty his Military Medal did applaud
And from that day he was promoted to officer and Lieutenantin the game
With his reputation as a cool leader in tight situations added to his fame

On the 17-18 July 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux he commanded his platoon forward
Where he captured a machine gun and shot two gunners moving on up toward
With his platoon down to 10 men and two Lewis Gunners with the day not won
Against a strongly held trench with pistol and rifle shooting Germans begun
Until finally at the end of the day two dugouts with 30 Germans captured
Winning the Victoria Cross for bravery and leadership as it was loaded

So another brave man was lauded into the Ist AIF Legend of the Great War
With the Northern Territory Government reenacting his ride for his enlistment chore
And Albert Borella re-enlisted in the Second World War and showed again his mettle
In Garrison Battalions with the Australian militia against the Japanese in their rattle
And it can be said that he was one of a generation of Australians who were tested
Who were not found wanting and on whom the ANZAC Legend has rested.

© Paul Warren Poetry