TO AUSTRALIA WITH THE WOUNDED AND THE SURVIVORS OF 1914 RETURNING HOME IN AUTUMN, 1918.

A loving message at Christmastide, Sent round the world to the underside A-sail in the ship that across the foam Carries the wounded Aussies home, Who rallied at War’s far-thundering call, When England stood with her back to the wall, To fight for Freedom, that ne’er shall die So long as on earth the old flag fly. O hearts so loving, eager and bold— Whose praise hath claim to be writ on the sky In letters of gold, of fire and gold— Never shall prouder tale be told, Than how ye fought as the knights of old “Against the heathen in Turkye In Flanders Artois and Picardie:” But above all triumph that else ye have won This is the goodliest deed ye have done, To have seal’d with blood in a desperate day The love-bond that binds us for ever and aye.