(This is about an old ex-soldier from those post
world war two days when - if anyone raised
his combat experience - then his mates used
to all put their caps on upside down and their
thumbs into their mouths. and suck firmly.)

We asked him why he`d not declared
That he had just been Croix de Guerre`d
For his efforts in that great advance 
which struggled and liberated France 

`How could I`, answered modest Ned,
With thousands on the beaches dead,
- Just because I`d once been there -
Talk like I`d braved the whole affair?

`So I took the cross to honour those
Who really fought and faced the foes.
And from their reflected glory butt
By keeping my cake-ole firmly shut`