'My Mate - Lest We Forget'
Artist: Ian Coate
Original: Oil on Canvas
Original Display Location: SASR Campbell Barracks
Release: 150 ltd edition prints, 100cm x 200cm (Sold out 2022)
A lone SAS soldier kneels before ‘The Rock’- the Special Air Service Regiment’s memorial to its fallen soldiers. "The Rock' is located in the Garden of Reflection at Campbell Barracks. The soldier silently gazes upon the inscribed names and offers respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Lest we forget.
My Mate – Lest We Forget
Poem by Ian Coate
The flag’s half-mast – my mate is gone – the grief’s too raw to share.
My mind is blank – I cannot think – his loss is all that’s there.
My mind is blank – I cannot think – his loss is all that’s there.
To family that he left behind, I’m sorry for this day.
I want to share how much he meant, but don’t know what to say.
I want to share how much he meant, but don’t know what to say.
They say he died for freedom sake – in part this may be true.
I really feel his sacrifice was meant for me and you.
I really feel his sacrifice was meant for me and you.
It’s hard to talk about a mate and sum up all he is,
Those traits the ANZAC diggers had - these virtues all were his.
Those traits the ANZAC diggers had - these virtues all were his.
He was a soldier through and through - he stood beside the best.
With things that mattered on the field, be sure he passed the test.
With things that mattered on the field, be sure he passed the test.
I always knew he had my back– he was a dinkum friend.
His loved ones were upon his mind until the very end.
His loved ones were upon his mind until the very end.
We shared good times, we shared some bad, we laughed and reminisced.
My mate sure was a lot of things – but most of all he’s missed.
My mate sure was a lot of things – but most of all he’s missed.
I never told him what he meant – for this I do regret.
But always will I honour him, ‘MY MATE – LEST WE FORGET’.
But always will I honour him, ‘MY MATE – LEST WE FORGET’.
.
"I started painting artworks for the Australian SAS in the late 90’s. I guess I hung around for so long that they made me the ‘Official Artist-in-Residence’ in 2011.
The Australian SAS is a military artist’s dream; there is so much rich material to be depicted and so much history that it would take a platoon of artists to do it justice. When I see their professionalism and what is endured in their training, I count myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to mix with these giants of the military."
- Ian Coate
Congratulations to those who purchased this Artwork, and thank you for supporting the Australian SASR.
