Will You Shoot Me Now?

Written by Steve Smithson Tuesday, 23 April 2002 07:04

On 14 August 1940 the Daily Express reported that Mrs Betty Tylee and Miss Jean Smithson approached a downed German pilot. They declined to shoot him and instead offered him a cup of tea.

This poem by Adam Taylor is inspired by that event.

No, we don’t do that in England
Said Mrs Betty Tylee
Would you like a cup of tea?
Though one thing we do do
Is put milk in first

The military police aren’t due until 3
Said Miss Jean Smithson
As she rummaged in
The biscuit tin
Gosh, your Messershmitt’s in
A bit of a mess

Not to mention my garden
Said Mrs Betty Tylee
Unsmilingly
Here’s a teaspoon
Cheers

Then she stabbed him with
Her garden shears

© Adam Taylor