I came rather late to Rod Shearman's songs and I can't quite make out a few words/phrases of this song from a CD I have. Here's hoping someone here has a copy of the 'Rod Shearman Songbook' (no longer available I understand) and could please check what I think I hear? Especially the third verse.

The Forgotten Soldier

Stark grows the first light
Slow grows the dawn light
The birds hardly stir in the day scarce begun
A new sun is rising to light the horizon
Of the last day for this mother’s son
Chorus:
When the poppy blooms red in November
The bells ring on Armistice Day
Remember that forgotten soldier
And hallow the spot where he lay

His crime it is proven, his actions guilt woven
The sentence of death it is passed and must stand
The general staff deeming, no ray of hope gleaming
Eighteen years a boy and one month a man
Chorus:

No regiment owns him, his comrades must scorn him
No rank or insignia [graves him to see?]
In full martial purdah for judicial murder
Alone he must stand as this life he leaves
Chorus:

The firing party contains scarce a hearty
Each one ill at ease, standing nervous and tense
The order a loud shout, the full volley rings out
Eighteen short summers have come to an end
Chorus:

Your memory lingers as each page’s finger
             of history’s book that flows by and away
A sad anger haunting, the thought ever taunting
The Blimps and the Donkey’s are still here today
Chorus: