Christopher Paterson, 21, Private in the 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

The infantry soldier is currently on tour in Afghanistan, conducting operations in Helmand province. He describes the poem as coming to him in a moment of patriotism, sitting against sandbags at the end of “a long, hot, sweaty” day in May.

In The Land of Sand

Trying to focus on this empty shell

As I take up position in this dusty hell

After gaining my senses, one thing is true;

The enemy is waiting, wearily out of view

Like a Mexican stand-off, waiting for the chime

Steadfastly ready at any given moment in time

Eager for the enemy to make a wrong move - train to win, never to lose!

To fight or to run is for the enemy to choose

We are the soldiers of Scotland in the Land of Sand

Out to conquer the darkness, marching to the Pipe Band

Fighting for honour and glory like our comrades before

Striking envy and fear into the enemy's core

Thinking of Bonnie Mary and our memories back home

Bringing light to the darkness wherever evil roams

As a body of men we all stand tall

Standing proud where others may fail or fall

So if you spare a thought for "A" Company's men

Be sure to say a prayer for the soldiers now and then

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