AH! MOTPHRAN OF THE 26th LABOUR CORPS

1. When in nineteen fourteen First World War broke out
King George VI frantically searching for the strong and stout,
To the west our men would sail across many a sea
To assist the beleaguered British to fight their enemy.

2. Rounded up, he lamented, “out of home sweet home a reverse turn
A final glimpse at my home sweet home my heart burns,
As the bugle that hastened us had made a war cry
To France and the far far away land to fight and die.”

3. I was not yet even born then but I faintly draw a picture
Strong and healthy brave men very willing to go I’m sure,
And all from the Elaka Shangpung assembled in front of the Chapel
To be goodbyed by loved ones and to be wished farewell.

4. In a never practiced march past they resolved to move forward
No rifles, no ammunition but with their faith in God,
They sang a wonderful song which Llewyn Sungoh composed
To spur and cheer them to high spirit for the purpose.

5. Remember friends mechanized transport too early in its infancy
Unarmed as porters they had to walk right to line of infantry,
And thus hundreds and hundreds had to face the bullets
These are the stark reality of facts please don’t forget.

6. Worst of all still if you ever heard of the mass grave of India
Tens of thousands were buried victims of bullets and cholera,
This land is Iraq my friend at a place called Al’kut
Please do remember them sometimes when time to spare you could.

7. Let us not forget the quality of this great ruler nation
Which respects the Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and all religion,
And I do strongly believe that there was a solemn service
A last respect for the fallen so that they would rest in peace.

8. And to prove that they were the very grateful rulers
They did thankfully recognize their sacrifice and to remember,
Three Motphrans were erected in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills,
For the generation in future to pay respect if they will.

9. Whereas the one in Shillong, despite cause of traffic jam controversy
Is fairly well maintained and quite heartening to see,
It is but really painful for the other at Jowai
With my great grand uncle’s name on it I could not but cry.

10. Long long ago it stood tall on an open land
With lots of breathing space not far from D.C. Court it stands,
Now dumped to obscurity by the mushrooming market stalls
Despised, spat upon and what not by greats and smalls.

11. How happy was I when on one issue of the Telegraph
Our Garo friends I saw laid wreaths on such a Cenotaph,
In doing so they had done a great great service
To their loved ones who had humbly sacrificed to safeguard peace.

12. Some self-styled patriots would argue this to think
Let’s forget them for they served a foreign King,
But “render ye to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar”
It is never a wrong proverb please do reconsider.

13. 'Doulce et decorum est pro patria mori'
You will know these if you please see Latin dictionary,
Sweet and glorious is to die for your country
And thus should our forefather’s sacrifice be lost in memory?

14. Having known these facts let us handle with extreme care
From unnecessary demolition these we have to think and spare,
Exactly ninety two years ago in far away land long dead and gone
The memory of those names on marble plates will ever linger on.

15. And what a greater respect can we ever give when we’re alive
That the finest example of St. Joseph school in its cleaning drive,
These students and teachers who love and respect piece of history
Would receive a fitting reward from God and posterity.

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This poem is dedicated to all those who fought and died in the Great War, The First World War. Also specially dedicated to my great uncle Noling Passah who was killed in action at Baghdad. And lest we forget Harry Patch, the last surviving trench soldier, who was laid to rest on the 6th August, 2009. The hero of Passchendelae and a man whose long blessed life is a message of peace and above all simplicity.
Wandell Passah.