The Meekatharra Hero by A E Wallace

The Meekatharra Hero

Rise up you noble warriors
Australia’s boldest sons;
And stand at ease a moment
Behind Australia’s guns.
For we’ve just unearthed a hero
Who should commandeer the cake,
Who, alone and unassisted
Killed a deadly twelve-inch snake.

Talks of Roosevelt in the jungle
And his tales of blood and gore.
How he killed a boa-constrictor
With his trusty forty-four;
It will pale away to nothing,
And it makes a fellow shake
When he hears of Wiltshire’s battle,
With a deadly twelve-inch snake.

Twelve inches! Just remember
It would take a man of grit
and the makings of a soldier
To cause the death of it.
(Hogans Ghost) ! It makes me wonder
What’s the brand he had to take
Before he opened fire upon
That awful twelve-inch snake.

When they paint this hero’s picture
In some classic gallery;
Though it won’t be on exhibit
For the likes of you and me,
Lords and Earls will stand before it
(And I bet it makes them quake),
Gazing at the picture
Of Wiltshire and the snake.

A E Wallace

(Published in the book ‘Meekatharra, The End of the Earth’, by P R Heydon)

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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