Ode to Tommy Brown

Ode to Tommy Brown

Born in the old town of North Shields,
up on the great Tyne’s shore.
A boy named Thomas Brown grew up,
a whole lifetime before.

Now Tommy was a bright young lad,
he would try his hand a owt.
That he would be someone someday,
there really was no doubt.

Far off horizons fueled his thoughts,
for he knew he couldn’t stay.
A life at sea was what he sought,
so he signed then sailed away.

He lacked in years so he bent the truth,
to make his wish come true.
To see the world to fight the cause,
and sail those oceans blue.

He had found his niche in Navy life,
it just suits him to a tee.
A role he’d play upon the waves,
out on the rolling seas.

One day tho fate would play her hand,
and she would again once more.
But cometh the hour cometh the man,
Tommy came right to the fore.

A stricken U-boat, time was short,
three men all brave and true.
Stepped to the plate to meet with fate,
as each second danger grew.

They’d board the sinking submarine,
and place all doubts aside.
The three would overstay their leave,
“It’s time to go” Tom cried!

A sudden shudder focussed minds
and gripped the men with fear.
All three would sink beneath the waves,
only Tom would reappear.

As he breached the clear blue waters,
he gasped deep for precious air.
Concerned was he now for his friends,
but fate had claimed the pair.

But the salvaged papers Tom retrieved
on that momentous day.
Would change the future of the world,
in the most profound of ways.

But in the meantime through his fame,
Tom’s age was ascertained.
Too young he just could not remain,
despite the medals gained.

He was eighteen years upon this earth,
when on HMS Belfast.
He would sail into his hometown port,
for some family time at last.

When Tommy slept alone downstairs,
flames licked through his abode.
So he did what heroes always do,
and flicked to rescue mode.

Tommy saved his little sister Maureen,
from those wicked flames.
But in this sheer act of selflessness,
the lad himself was overcame.

He would never come to know just what,
a difference he had made.
The papers Tom took from that sub,
were of the highest grade.

They helped to break Enigma’s code,
and countless lives were saved.
To that end we owe our gratitude,
for those sacrifices made.

Now in the town where Tom was lain,
in the memory of his class.
There’s a permanent reminder in,
the form of stained cut glass.

And now every time that gold sun shines,
Tom’s name is bathed in light
They said he’d be someone someday,
and by God they were right.

James Bridgewood