Dai Westacott
by David Subacchi
He was no miner
As rugby players
Often were
But a docker
Grangetown
Born and bred;
Not unusual
To work a shift
Before the game.
In the pub
Afterwards
His party trick;
A mate would bend
A poker
From the hearth
And Dai Westacott
Would straighten
It again
With his bare hands.
A stalwart
Of the Cardiff pack
One cap for Wales;
Lost in Belfast
Against the Irish
Unlucky, unfair.
The new players
Got the blame
After the worst
Sea crossing ever
From Holyhead.
Enlisted early
In 1914,
Wife and 4 children
Left behind;
Blown up once
Sent home
Recovered after months
Sent back again
Blown up again
Didn’t come home
This time.
Dai Westacott
Exact place of burial
Unknown;
In Cardiff and Belgium
His name carved
In memorial stone.
Known as a grafter
On the docks,
On the pitch,
On the battlefield.
Dai Westacott
Who never gave in
And who shall never
Grow old.