Original poem by Ewan Upton

My dad Sean,
he was a hero
He was just like Rambo
He was the best,
he beat the rest

A little boy remembers,
A father brave and strong,
The man who was his whole world,
Now suddenly is gone.
He sees him in his memories,
He hears him in his dreams,
A father’s love will never fade,
However far it seems.

But now he’s gone,
where is he?
Our dad,
he’s in our chest

We love you dad,
we will never forget
You’re a hero,
you’re the best
And though the years may come and go,
There’s one thing we will always know,
Our dad,
he’s in our chest.

A photograph, a memory,
A smile that still shines through,
The little things remembered,
The things he used to do.
No medals could replace him,
No words could ease the pain,
But love will hold his memory,
Until we meet again.

We love you dad,
we will never forget
You’re a hero,
you’re the best
And though the years may come and go,
There’s one thing we will always know,
Our dad,
he’s in our chest.

Some heroes wear a uniform,
And march across the sand,
But some are simply fathers,
Who once held a little hand.
And though he cannot hold them now,
His love will never part,
For every child who misses Dad,
Still holds him in their heart.

My dad Sean,
he was a hero
He was just like Rambo
He was the best,
he beat the rest

We love you dad,
we will never forget
You’re a hero,
you’re the best

And though the years may come and go,
There’s one thing we will always know,

Our dad,
he’s in our chest.
We love you dad,
we will never forget
You’re a hero,
you’re the best

Rewritten and Created By Paul Baldry

The Afghanistan Heroes — A Son’s Tribute

In Memory of Warrant Officer Class 2 Sean Upton, Royal Artillery

Original Poem by Ewan Upton | Musical Adaptation and Tribute by Paul Baldry (LongJohn)

Some poems touch the heart because of the beauty of their words. Others touch us because of the innocence and honesty behind them. The Afghanistan Heroes, written by a young boy named Ewan Upton, is one of those poems.

I was first drawn to Ewan’s words when I discovered that his father, Warrant Officer Class 2 Sean Upton, was a Nottinghamshire lad, just like myself. But there was another connection that made his story particularly meaningful to me. Sean was also a fellow Royal Artillery soldier, a gunner who had dedicated his life to serving his country.

As a Nottinghamshire lad who served 26 years in the British Army, including my early years with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, I felt a personal connection to Sean’s story. Although we served in different generations and never knew one another, we shared something that every gunner understands — the pride of wearing the Royal Artillery cap badge and belonging to a regiment whose motto is Ubique — Everywhere.

Sean Upton served with 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. On 27 July 2009, aged just 35, he was killed while serving in the Sangin district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Behind the uniform, the rank and the military service was a man whose most important role was not that of a soldier, but that of a husband and father.

Sean left behind his wife, Karen, and their two children, Ewan and Hollie.

Ewan was just ten years old when his father died.

At an age when a young boy should have been enjoying the security of his father’s love and guidance, Ewan was faced with a loss that no child should have to understand.

Yet, through that sadness, he found the courage to put his feelings into words.

His poem was simple, innocent and deeply moving.

My dad Sean,
he was a hero
He was just like Rambo
He was the best,
he beat the rest

Those few lines say more about a child’s admiration for his father than any grand military tribute could ever express.

To Ewan, his dad was larger than life. He was strong, brave and someone to look up to. He was his hero.

But then came the words that touched me most.

But now he’s gone,
where is he?
Our dad,
he’s in our chest

There is something heartbreaking, yet wonderfully innocent, in those words.

A little boy trying to understand where his father has gone, while somehow knowing that the love they shared would always remain within him.

No medals, military honours or words of gratitude could ever replace the father he had lost.

And that is what makes this poem so special.

It reminds us that behind every name engraved upon a memorial, behind every flag-draped coffin and every military funeral, there is a family whose lives have changed forever.

There are wives who have lost their husbands, parents who have lost their children, and little boys and girls who will grow up without the father or mother they loved.

As a former soldier, I understand the bonds of comradeship and the pride of military service. But as a husband and father, I also understand that the greatest sacrifices are often carried quietly by the families left behind.

I wanted to honour Ewan’s words by turning his short poem into a musical remembrance ballad.

In creating this adaptation, I have preserved his original lines, building additional verses around them to tell a fuller story of love, loss, pride and remembrance.

The song is performed as a duet between a young English boy and a mature British male baritone, accompanied by an emotional orchestral arrangement.

The child’s voice represents the innocence and love expressed in Ewan’s poem, while the adult voice brings reflection and remembrance. Together, they carry a message that reaches far beyond one soldier and one family.

For me, this is more than another song in my collection of military poetry.

It is a personal tribute from one Nottinghamshire gunner to another, and, above all, a tribute to a young boy who found the words to tell the world how much he loved his dad.

Sean Upton was a soldier, a gunner, a husband and a father.

To his country, he was one of those who gave their lives in service.

To his fellow soldiers, he was a comrade.

But to Ewan and Hollie, he was simply Dad.

And perhaps that is how we should remember him most of all.

I dedicate this musical tribute to the memory of Warrant Officer Class 2 Sean Upton, to his family, and to every child who has lost a parent through military service.

And to Ewan Upton, whose innocent words inspired this song, I offer my respect and gratitude for sharing such a personal expression of love.

Your father’s name will be remembered, and your words have helped keep his memory alive.

We love you dad,
we will never forget
You’re a hero,
you’re the best.

From one Nottinghamshire Gunner to another.

Rest easy, Sean. Your duty is done.

Ubique — Everywhere.

Lest We Forget.

By Paul Baldry (LongJohn)
Former 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
British Army Veteran, 1970–1996

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AI Music Declaration

This musical tribute was created using AI-assisted music technology, featuring AI-generated vocals and orchestration. The original poem was written by Ewan Upton, with additional lyrics, musical adaptation and creative direction by Paul Baldry. Created with sincerity, respect and remembrance in honour of Sean Upton and his family.