I have just come across this poem about the light horse at Gallipoli, from a Birmingham Newspaper, The Handsworth Herald dated 21st March 1916.
The Spartans is the ages past
Unvalled fame had won
Till men of Australasia
Their dethless deed had done
They came these modern Trojans
From far across the seas
The Motherland to help, and guard
Her ancient liberties
Not as a legion pressed to fight
Their brows with freedom crownd
With willing hearts and sturdy limb
They stood on Turkish ground
Tis nought to them that Turk and Hun
With cunning schemes untold
Outnumbering them by thousands
The hills before them hold
The order came - Prepare to charge
In spite of certain doom
They falter not though Hades flames
And death before them loom
One brief farewell to those behind
A message to be sent
To wife or mother far away
Then to their post they went
Now to the sound of whistle
These splendid heroes brave
Go fourth to duty manfully
Advancing wave on wave
The foremost ranks fall rapidly
From maxim leaden hail
But still the others press - right on
Along the deathly trail
And now, with dreadful thunder burst
The hellish shrapnel shell
Rained death and tortue merciless
On herores as they fell
With fiendish cruelty the foe
To their undying shame
Poured hail of lead on prostate men
To kill or further maim
O Gog of Heaven Look ye down
Let thy effulgent Light
Shine on the souls of these who strive
For Freedom and for Right
Tese gog like men gave cheerfully
Their lives at duty call
To free the world from serfdom vile
And tyrants fearful thrall
This story shall be treasured long
In future ages told
Emblazoned on their banners be
This deed of valour bold
Australias sons great sacrifice
On Turkish battlefield
Immortalised in British hearts
Its fame to none shall yield
ALFRED J GILMORE
ASTON MANOR, BIRMINGHAM
21st March 1916