Poignant poem serves as posthumous medal to Lanarkshire men's sacrifice during World Wars

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire-born poet has paid tribute to those who served during the world wars in a poem inspired by his dad and granddad.Roy (Robert) Graham, who grew up on Alexander Avenue in Wishaw, emigrated to Canada when he was 21 after qualifying as an English teacher.

He taught for almost 20 years in Canadian high schools before gaining a PhD and becoming an university professor.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android As a boy, the 76-year-old attended Wishaw Primary and Wishaw High, both long gone, and his love of poetry dates back to his school days.He has written a poem, The Medals, as a tribute to Scottish men and women who served in the armed forces like his grandfather, Ebeneezer Higgins, who served in the First World War, and his father Jimmy Graham, who served during the Second World War.“The poem came about from memories of me as a kid trying to get both my grandpa and my dad to talk about their war experiences,” Roy told Lanarkshire Live.“My grandpa was born and raised in Waterloo and was 18 and working in the steel mill when World War I broke out. "My dad was born and raised in Craigneuk, he was 20 and an apprentice motor mechanic in Frew’s Garage when World War II broke out.“Both were working class kids, as we have known for centuries they are the first to be called up. "For me, the personal