Lest We Forget

• Falekava Mahe, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2015

May 23 1915
Today was amazing. We finally arrived at shore. People shoved and pulled each other like crabs so they can get off the ship first. I didn’t push but people behind pulled me back and pushed me and whoa they are tough. I can’t wait to start fighting though.

June 27 1915
Fighting for my country is so difficult. I thought this would be a beaut journey but it’s bloody hard. I miss sitting on the veranda while dad burnt stuff on the barbie. Staying at this place is making me feel helpless.

August 6 1915
They called a truce. We buried mates and field surgeons helping war mates. I would not want to redo this war otherwise I will be going through painful pain and see my mates die in front of my face again. There’s now a gun-stained sky. No flowers but blood. Feels like I’ll never see Australia again.



August 25 1915
BOOM! A mortar struck the trench today. I couldn’t see the sunlight anymore. Air is very rare underneath the Earth. I dug up but for all that I knew at the time I could’ve been digging downwards. I kept on yelling for help. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see sunlight again. I started to scream at the top of my lungs for help. No answer. I got some dirt and dropped it, to check which way was down. It went to my left. I started digging upwards, and tried to get as much air as I could. I then saw sun.

January 28 1916
People rejoiced of our return but I couldn’t get my mind off what I’ve done for my country. All that I know is that I’m never going to war again. I will never speak of war again.