I’ve been thinking of my grandad who had fought in World War 1

He went but went reluctantly to meet the Bosch head on;

Emerging from the trenches, a Lee Enfield in his hand

To play at “Shoot-my-bollocks-off” across that No Man’s Land.

I also think about my dad who sailed Pacific seas

On Royal and Merchant Navy ships to fight the Japanese,

In fear of planes’ and submarines’ torpedoes, bombs and shells

As Davy Jones’ Locker beckoned underneath the swell.

But neither suffered hardship nor a sacrifice like this -

That students are prevented from a night out on the piss.