"The Infanteer" by 'A Gunner' NX70702, A Poem for Motivation and Mental Health
As World Mental Health Day approaches, we asked our community a question: what writing, specifically poetry, has carried you through hard times, or pushed you forward when you needed it?
Some of our best conversations about mental health have happened during recent late night ruck sessions, in the dark and close to midnight. Strip away the distractions, leaving the weight on your back, with hours with nothing to do but walk and what's left is the real stuff: purpose, pain and pushing past the things we're each quietly working through. And sometimes, when we're solo and the self-talk starts, a few lines of a song or a poem is what carries you through.
"The Infanteer" is a classic military poem written by an Australian soldier who signed his work as "A Gunner" (NX70702)". The poem is submitted by veteran and community member Cliff de Laine, who shares a few words on its significance to him... "A poem that’s always roused my spirits is ‘The Infanteer’. Reading it always gave me a sense of connection through the generations of infantrymen that went before me, while giving me pride in the grit and determination I, and my brothers, continually had to rely on in our profession. Since leaving the Army, I’ve read it on occasion and it’s provided a small aperture of faith in myself and my mates to get through the worst of it."
The Infanteer
He is born to the earth; on the day he enlists
He is sentenced to life on the soil,
To march on it, crawl on it, dig in it, sprawl on it,
Sleep on it after his toil.
Be it sand, rock or ice, gravel, mud or red loam
He will fight on it bravely, will die,
And the crude little cross telling men of his loss
Will cry mutely to some foreign sky.
He's the tired-looking man in the untidy garb,
weatherbeaten, footsore with fatigue,
But his spirit is strong as he marches along
With his burdens for league upon league.
He attacks in the face of a murderous fire,
Crawling forward, attacking through mud.
When he breaks through the lines, over wire and mines
On the point of his bayonet is blood.
Should you meet him, untidy, begrimed and fatigued,
Don't indulged in unwarrented mirth,
For the brave infanteer deserves more than your sneer,
He is truely the salt of the earth.
There is little information on the origins of the poem, however, the website of the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (where the poem is originally listed) has an extensive collection, from Australian veterans, to be enjoyed.
Final Thoughts
Poetry can give words to feelings that are sometimes difficult to express directly. Reading a poem, or writing one ourselves, can help us pause, reflect and make sense of experiences that might otherwise feel confusing or overwhelming. It can create a little space between what we feel and how we respond.
Is there a piece of literature or poetry that has affected, supported or inspired you?
Click here to go to the next poem in the series, or see the complete selection of poems below:
Poetry isn't a substitute for professional support when we need it, but it can be a simple and accessible tool for reflection and emotional wellbeing. Sometimes, a few carefully chosen words can help us see our own experience from a different perspective. Mental health is also be supported by adopting simple daily practices, to build the foundations of health.
And if you are an active or ex-service member in Singapore, consider joining Sandbag Asia, a registered society and support network for those in - or now out - of uniform.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
Related Studies and Resources
Kassab A, Jayatunge R, Bou Khalil R. The therapeutic functions of poetry in mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2026 Feb;356:116897. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116897. Epub 2025 Dec 11. PMID: 41411711.
Johnson-Laird PN, Oatley K. How poetry evokes emotions. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2022 Apr;224:103506. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103506. Epub 2022 Jan 29. PMID: 35101737.
Tracy, D. (2021). Veterans’ self-expression in poetry. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 7(1), 108–112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2020-0005
Help for Heroes
WHO: World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2026, "Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change"
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