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This poem by David Partridge was inspired after the recent effort to make changes to The Red Ensign for the E.U. David completed his course at Vindicatrix in 1956 and served his first trips as Deck boy on Port Victor 1956 and the Port Townsville 1957.

He is at present the Skipper on the Pilot Boat in Sydney Harbour.

David has stated that all are welcome to copy or use the poem as they wish on condition it is not changed in anyway and is aligned centre of the page.


Tom Blackhurst P.W.S.T.S. 1956
Secretary
Queensland Vindicatrix Association

Red Duster

It isn't just a flag to us but part of who we are,

It flew astern from every ship we sailed.

From Liverpool to Singapore and through the Panama

It filled us with a pride which never failed.

Sometimes tattered, sometimes torn, raised each day at morning's dawn.

It told the world of who we are and where.

And across the seven oceans it weathered every storm

To keep our country strong, and firm, and fair.

It flew not just in peacetime but bravely went to war

Where the conflict raged across a flaming sea,

And it shrouds our fallen shipmates upon the ocean floor

Who gave their lives to keep our nation free.

No politician's pen stroke can take away the pride

That wells within to see that flag unfurled

And they'll not besmirch the memory of all those who have died

In every ocean on our fragile world.

Our flag must stay until the day we have no ships to sail

And the piper sadly wails the last lament,

And we'll leave it then to history to tell the famous tale

Of a flag which flew so proud where ere it went.

So join the battle, show no fear, let our banner fly,

Let it sail through stormy waters and grace the morning sky.

And when we all must heed the call to make the final muster,

One last request, please let us rest, beneath the old Red Duster.


David Partridge. NSW/ACT Branch (Vindi Boy 1956)