Major Joe Schofield MBE 1SAS 21SAS 23SAS 22SAS
I once met an old soldier
His name was Joe the Scho
I’m so glad that he was a friend
And definitely not my foe
I knew very little at the time
Yet Joe knew more than enough
To teach me to be cute
As well as being tough
Joe was already a legend
There for all to see
I was a young green Trooper
Having just joined Big B
Everything that Joe has done
Will one day be recorded in history
Yet when I see him pass me by
It’s all still very much a mystery
He was one of the Originals
There aren’t many left
If I ask him what he did
Could it be seen as theft?
“Slowly…slowly…catchee monkey”
Our ethos is based on stealth
But to know what Joe knows
Would feed me greatly with wealth
We’re in the mid 70s as he walks around camp
Past the Blue Room, the cookhouse,
And the Clock Tower in the damp
Oh how I’d love to know, just what old Joe knows
As we pass each other by
The bashas row upon rows
We’re in an old war camp
Called Bradbury Lines
Old wooden huts
Winged Daggers upon old wooden signs
I’d get to know old Joe
Over a period of time
Just how do I approach this legend?
Became a pastime of mine
Would you like to go for a brew says I?
It’s now the time for Who Dares Wins
I have time right now if you want to go
As he looks at me…and grins
He was humble and friendly
And happy to talk
I’m sat here with an Original
Who’s really walked the walk
Big thanks Joe, I’ve learnt so much
And you’ve really made my day
Good luck Bob in the Regiment
I’ll forever hear Joe say
There aren’t too many individuals
Who have served with the SAS
But Major Joe’s right up there
Alongside the very best
Bob Shepherd 
An emotional read Bob. Your poetry always is.
Thanks Jonathan.
Awesome poem Bob for a Legend; Just as I remember him
lovely words 😉
I was just a sprog in the mid 70s, but I remember Joe!