I haven't a clue either, but like you, I've heard it belonged to "different countries etc" too. It WOULD be nice to know the one who wrote it and give credit where credit is due, but I wonder if its possible that the writer intended that the poem represent all soldiers in all countries as a common thread that runs through all soldiers, no matter what country they serve? Maybe the writer chose to remain anonymous?

The Archetypal soldier?

If anyone ever learns there "should" be only ONE real name as its writer ... I want to know it.

Karmen