Minor Hero
Remembering years ago
When all was taut and smiling.
Sepia photographs from India,
Smartly uniformed,
Brilliantined for posterity,
Mentioned in Despatches
Lifetimes ago.
He's fighting now the old enemy
Who comes for everyman.
Old age and uncertainty
Combined to bring him down,
Fetching him up
In this quiet world
Where heroes are made
Every day.
Silent struggles
Against the awkwardness
And unalleviated pain.
So now that smart airman
Has crashed
in the desert of the wards
His rescuers unaware
Of the minor hero in their midst
Survivor from the heat of India,
Immobilised by ill-fortune
In this artificial womb,
Amidst the detritus
of smaller wars
Whose end is conjecture,
Veiled and secret.
By Richard Maslen.
In Memoriam John Samuel Holden
1939 - 1945. died 20.1.1996
Some Favourite Websites For September 2026:
Stoneware Birds – Life-sized handmade and unique British birds, now available to buy online.
A charming unique gift or a treat for oneself. See the website to know how each one is made. Now available to buy online. Each bird is an individual creation, varying in choice from the perky wren to the plump bullfinch together with other well-loved British birds. Which will you choose?
Singtong Neeyom Thai Restaurant – Delicious authentic Thai Cuisine
Take a look at Singtong Neeyom Thai Restaurant in the centre of Halesworth, for a range of delicious and skillfully prepared Thai dishes created by their own native Thai, Piek.
Hetty’s Little Copy Shop – A wide range of printing services - including 3D - plus passport photos and more
The Little Copy Shop is in Thoroughfare, Halesworth, and offers all sorts of useful services involving printing, laminating, scanning, binding and copying plus various photographic services including passport photos.
St James South Elmham Village – An ancient and deeply rural village in north-east Suffolk.
St. James South Elmham is a rural village with a strong community and a host of regular community events. Agriculture is at the core of village life and still comes right into its centre. Nowadays, the high-speed broadband service supports farming and family life, and many other activities, services and businesses besides.
Rookyard Cottage, Holton – Eco-friendly self-catering cottage near Halesworth with private heated indoor swimming pool available
Set in over two acres Valley Farm offers two self-catering cottages, Rookyard Cottage and Swallow Barn, both with eco-friendly features and each sleeping up to four people + cot. Rated AA 4 Stars. WiFi. Private heated indoor swimming pool available. Ten miles from seaside at Southwold. Pets not accepted.