Patriotic WWI poem - relating to the early part of the conflict and the 'Little Army' sent in as the 'British Expeditionary Force' to combat German advances in 1914/15. The link is made to the African Wars and the outnumbered British colonial forces under Frederick Roberts,1st Earl Roberts one of the most successful British commanders of the 19th century. The BEF did remarkably well (considering the size of the force it faced), and German advances were as good as halted following fierce fighting at Le Cateau, Mons, Aisne and Ypres.