When Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane heard his eighth comrade had died in 24 hours he decided to put pen to paper.
After almost 27 years in the Territorial Army and three international tours he's grown accustomed to attending vigils to remember the dead - but never so many in such a short period of time.
It took Andrew, who serves with the Adjutant General's Corps, less than an hour to write the six verses that are now circulating across the world after his wife put them on her Facebook page.
Speaking from Camp Bastion before the memorial service on Monday he said: "As you can imagine it's a subdued atmosphere tonight. I've been to vigils before but there are just too many happening at the moment.
Sunset Vigil
The news is spread far and wide
Another comrade has sadly died
A sunset vigil upon the sand
As a soldier leaves this foreign land
We stand alone, and yet as one
In the fading light of a setting sun
We've all gathered to say goodbye
To our fallen comrade who's set to fly
The eulogy's read about their life
Sometimes with words from pals or wife
We all know when the CO's done
What kind of soldier they'd become
The padre then calls us all to pray
The bugler has Last Post to play
The cannon roars and belches flame
We will recall, with pride, their name
A minute's silence stood in place
As tears roll down the hardest face
Deafening silence fills the air
With each of us in personal prayer
Reveille sounds and the parade is done
The hero remembered, forgotten by none
They leave to start the journey back
In a coffin draped in the Union Jack
Brian your quote from Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane is indeed very poignant.
It also confirms what we have been saying - we have the finest armed forces in the world.
Even amidst such terrible suffering they remain loyal to their country, heritage and vocation.
