Then marched away to fight in the Great war and never to return home again.

Blown to bits and their body bits lost in the sea of mud of the Fields of France.

The Mons Regiment Being one of the Local Regiments to train and meet here.

The Author had in 1939 in his teenage years.

A passing chance to run errands for some of these local men.

Based at the then ash tip over the old iron bridge to the old Road at Maesglas.

These Soldiers defending with a trench all sand-bagged in nice new straw coloured sacking cloth. Contained within a central position the ever familiar Lewis gun pointing to the skies.

All in anticipation of an impending attack of the German forces.

Mog would run down the Avenue to the Maesglas shops.

Spending the soldiers money at the general store of Jones's shop spend on several packets of five woodbine fags and two penny bar's of Cadbury's chocolate.

In return for a few pennies reward for his errand.

Also sometime free bar would come his way from Mister Jones all in appreciation of the extra trade.

Much later during the war.

Mog became a soldier himself and when on leave would go to the dance as many Newport young folk went on the week end.

Dance to the band and hunt for a partner from the many beautiful girls.

Dressed in their pretty frocks.

The fragrant smell of California poppy lovely scent from the beautiful young ladies with their high-heeled shoes.

Brown Tanned silk stockings straight at the back of leg the seam and held up by the suspenders. Being the standard turn on rigging worn by the females of that generation.

Dance around this hall of memories.

On the elevated stage the band of Billy Rabbit played. Bill being another Maesglas Lad.

At the central stage a stand up mike.

The one and only Master of ceremonies Harry Polloway.

Amid the dancing crowd the home on leave soldier's Along with in his mind a soldiers dream of just a pretty girl in his arms.

All like a fairy tale

It always seemed to end and ones leave had gone by in a flash.

And on the cold windy Newport station.

In company of a girl of ones dreams a freshness of ones young innocent first love feeling in ones body the rush of butterflies in one's stomach. Experienced only by the young blood of one's youth.

A moment of closeness the finale embrace of two close love torn young lovers now become parted beings.

Train slowly speeds away and steam puffed smoke and sounds leave a bleak wind swept station.

The gentle draught blowing youthful fresh locks of hair of a lone girlfriend in sweet scented aroma of just a memory.

Finaly Departed from ones girl friend smiling and remains soft warm tear a wave good bye--e.