1918 We will remember them (6 page)

“More like advantage Hun, I think sir.”

“No, Bill.  You went up against the most formidable Jasta the Germans possess and we got all of our pilots back.  You had young pilots out there.  They will be better next time.”

“He is right sir, your young lads, Lieutenant Fall and Roger Clayson did exactly what you asked and they followed you remarkably well.  I think the colonel is right.  We have positives to take from this.”

I was not so certain but I began to see that they might be right. Senior Flight Sergeant Lowery reported.  “Sir, two of your flight will need a week of repairs to be airworthy. One is a write off.”

“Make that two, Flight Sergeant.  You will need to take a lorry and collect the remains of Lieutenant Carpenter’s bus. It is three miles east of here.”

“Sir.” He looked at the Bristols which coughed and wheezed their way along the grass.  “And God knows how many of these will need work, sir.”

Archie smiled, “Do your best, Flight.  That is all that we can ask.”

As we walked to Randolph’s office to report Ted and Gordy told us how they had been jumped by a Jasta. “We were outnumbered three to one.  “We had to use the old Lufbery Circle.” Gordy chuckled, “I am not certain that the German pilots had ever seen it before. It worked.”

“Did you knock any down?”

“Damaged a few but we were just glad to get out alive.” Ted pointed to the damaged Camels which were being taken to the hangar. “It looks like you ran into a meat grinder.”

“The Red Baron and his Flying Circus!”

“That is all we need.  I kept hoping he would be up around Ypres.”

We had reached the office and we sat around the table while Archie poured us a whisky each. “I think he will stay in this sector as he can have a go at the French as well as us. There is more glory for him.”

“You met him, didn’t you Bill?”

I downed my whisky and poured a second, “Aye and the others: his brother Lothar and Werner Voss.  They are both almost as good as the Red Baron.” I shrugged, “The thing is only the best get into the Flying Circus.”

Randolph nodded, “Sort of like the German first fifteen.”

“A good analogy, Randolph and we are going up against him with the best fourth formers we have. It is boys against men.”

Archie must have sensed the air of depression which had descended.  He banged his hand on the table. “Right go and get cleaned up and put this from your mind.  Tomorrow is another day.  I will go up with you tomorrow and we will fly as one squadron. Damn the General.  We will not spread ourselves too thinly in the future.  I want us to have a fighting chance.”

Surprisingly that little pep talk seemed to work and I went for the bath I knew Bates would have drawn feeling better.  My spirits rose even higher when he greeted me with a bundle of letters. “We have mail sir!”

That was always a reason for optimism.  A letter from home was better than anything for raising spirits.

When I returned to my room after my bath Bates had put a glass of whisky next to my bed.  “I will see you are not disturbed, sir.” Bates knew the value of the letters.  As the door closed I sipped the whisky and picked up the envelopes.  There were four letters. I rearranged the orders.  I would read Lumpy’s first then my mothers, Alice’s next and I would save the most precious one for the end. Beattie was my fiancée and I saved hers for last to savour.  I had been the same with the Sunday roasts my mother cooked when I was a child.  The roast potatoes and the meat were left until last as a special treat.

Stockton August 1917

Dear Major Harsker,

Just a quick letter to tell you how proud I was to read of your promotion and your VC. No one deserves them more than you.  I feel privileged to have served with you. The lads in the pub wouldn’t let me buy a drink when they heard of the medal.  They have never met you but they have heard all about you from me and Jack’s widow. To them you are a hero because you come from the same background as they do. You are an ordinary bloke to them.

The wife and I pray that this war will be over soon so that you can all come home. We see too many women in widow’s weeds and there are too many bairns without dads.

I am doing well and the missing hand never worries me!

God Speed, sir, and look after yourself,

Your old gunner

Lumpy

I could almost hear Lumpy’s voice as I read the letter.  I was pleased that he had found happiness with Jack Laithwaite’s widow.  He would be a good father to her children. I always got a warm feeling when I thought of Lumpy surviving the war.  It gave me hope for the future.  The finest young men in England had been sacrificed and when the war was over the ones who remained would have a mountain to climb to make Britain great once more.  We had suffered much and the whole country would bear the scars for generations to come.

Burscough

August 1917

Dear Bill,

Your father and I are so proud of you.  What an honour to be awarded the VC.  Lady Burscough came over to the cottage especially to tell us.

Things are not going so well on the estate.  We are doing well so don’t worry.  Her ladyship has promised us that we can have the cottage for as long as we need it but most of the other estate workers have had to be let go. There is just our Sarah and Cedric at the big house now.  They both have to work far harder than they used to.  We look after little Billy every day but he is a canny bairn and no bother.

I haven’t heard from Bert lately.  I know you are both busy and writing letters isn’t a priority but you manage it and you are an officer. I hope he is safe.

Your dad and I have had enough of this war.  It has taken too many already.  Poor John and Tom died so long ago but our Alice is still grieving for her young man. I know that he was a friend of yours and would have been a fine husband but we never got to meet him and I don’t think our Alice will ever get over him.

John writes regularly and tells us how well you are doing.  You are lucky to have such a good servant.  You look after him!

You take care of yourself,

I pray to God each night to keep you safe.  He has taken enough from us.

Your loving mother

xxx

I found myself dreading reading Alice’s letter. I drank the whisky and poured another in preparation. I slit open the envelope and then lit my pipe.  I knew I was delaying reading what I thought might be a sad and depressing letter. I felt a little guilty about Alice.  If I had not introduced her to Charlie then who knows how her life might have turned out.  She might have been able to find some happiness.

Burscough

August 1917

Dearest Bill,

I hope you are keeping well.  Congratulations on the VC.  Charlie always said that you were the bravest and the best and I know that he was right. He worshipped you, big brother and he was right to do so.

I noticed that the next lines were a little fuzzy as though they had been wetted.

I still find myself bursting into tears when I think of the life that Charlie and I might have had.  It isn’t fair. I know it upsets mum and Lady Burscough but I can’t help it.  I want to hit someone or scream or I don’t know what.

Your young lady, Beattie, is a godsend.  She writes to me every week and she is always so positive. The main reason I am writing this is to tell you, big brother, that you must marry the girl and do it sooner rather than later! I know Charlie and I were like a pair of runaway horses but you never know what is around the corner. I don’t want Beattie cuddling a pillow in her bed at night because you aren’t there.

Don’t worry about me, Bill.  I know everyone is concerned but I will get through this.  I know that I can never be truly happy again but, at night, I can still close my eyes and hear Charlie’s voice and I can’t wait to see you for that will bring him alive again too. 

You have to survive this war! I can’t lose you too!

I saw another patch of fuzzy writing.

This ink isn’t very good is it?  It must be the war!

I pray for you, Ted and Gordy each night. I pray you will all come home safely,

Your loving sister

Alice

xxx

I found my eyes filling up.  I missed Charlie too but for Alice he had been her whole life.  I sniffed the envelope before I opened it.  Beattie was in the room.  Settling back in the bed I began to read; savouring each word.

Hyde Park

August 1917

Dearest Bill,

I hope this finds you safe. The casualties who have been pouring through our doors after the battles of Ypres talk about the airmen who braved the skies to protect them.  I knew that it would be you they were talking about- you are too reckless! They don’t give the VC to careful soldiers. You cannot win this war alone! I want you home when this war is over. I have plans for us!

Speaking as often as I do with your sister, Alice, I know what I have and how lucky I am.  Please God that our luck does not run out!

The Germans have begun sending bombers over each night to bomb London. One of the nurses on our ward was killed when her house was blown up.  It is so indiscriminate and so cowardly.  The Huns must be a cruel and heartless nation if they use poison gas while shelling and bombing civilians. I know that you and your pilots would never inflict such carnage on civilians.  That is why I know that we shall win this war.  We are in the right!

I am sorry that this letter is not the usual happy, chatty letter but I do not feel that way at the moment. I feel lost and alone and I miss you.  I know that is selfish; there are many people in our position but I feel like being selfish.

I cannot wait for your next leave.

Take care of yourself and be careful!

You are in my prayers each night but I see so much horror coming through the doors that I sometimes question if there is a God. I know that is an awful thing to say but why does God allow so many who are good die and allow evil men to live?

I love you now and forever,

Beattie  xxx

Beattie’s letter upset me more than I could believe.  I just wanted to fly my Camel home and rush into her arms. I knew I would not but I felt angry.  I dressed for dinner. We had to bring this war to an end and do so quickly.  Our people at home were suffering and none of us had gone to war to allow that!

I called in at the sick bay on my way to the mess.  My two pilots had survived but, even had their aeroplanes not been damaged, they would not be able to fly for a few days. Lieutenant Hazell tried to rise when I entered.

“No, Nat, rest easy.  You did well today.  Those new Fokkers are very nifty.”

“Thank you sir.  I appreciate you coming to my aid.”

“Nonsense we are one squadron here and we all fight for each other.” I turned to Jenkin, “And how are you George?”

“Feeling like a fool.”

“How so?”

“When my compass was shot out I flew in the wrong bloody direction sir!”

I smiled, “An easy enough mistake to make.  I have seen pilots flying upside down because they became disorientated. A little tip; have a spare compass in your flying jacket and always look for the sun.  We normally fly in the morning so the sun should be ahead of you; that tells you where east is.  Don’t berate yourself, you acquitted yourself well today.”

“But still no kills!”

I sighed and shook my head, “We had no kills in the squadron today but as all our pilots made it back, then it is not a bad trade off.  You two take it easy.  Your new buses will be here in a week.  You are under Doc Brennan’s orders now, not mine.”

I knew that we had made important strides with Jenkin but he was not the finished article yet.

Everyone was in a better mood thanks to the delivery of letters.  Gordy insisted upon reading them out so that we could hear every breath his new son made. We smiled.  It was harmless and the baby promised hope.  We had perilously little of that.

The talk was of the trenches. The Canadians were still bleeding for every inch of land at Passchendaele and we saw little progress.  Flying high over the lines meant you could see how little land had been gained in over three years of war. There were also rumours of trouble in Russia. Randolph, who had many contacts in the intelligence community, was particularly sombre. “We are making little progress here on the Western front but if the Tsar makes peace then the Germans will have more men and materiel to send here.  If that happens this war could go on for another ten years.”

Johnny scoffed, “A thirteen year war?  I think you are exaggerating sir.”

“We had a war with France that lasted over a hundred years.  The Napoleonic wars lasted over twenty five years.  There was a war in Europe which lasted for thirty years. No, do not assume that this war will be as quick as the Zulu war or the South African War.  We were fighting tribesmen then.  We are fighting people like ourselves now. Our king, the Kaiser and the Tsar are all cousins!”

“People won’t stand for it sir.”

“I’m afraid, Freddie, that the powers that be are like gamblers gathered around a table.  The table stakes are so high that no-one dares to be the one to leave first.  They just keep raising the stakes and we are the chips!”

We were having a glass of port when Ted sidled over.  “What is the problem, Bill?”

“How do you know there is a problem?”

“Because I have known you too long.  If Gordy wasn’t so full of Mary and his son then he would have noticed too.  I have bugger all but for the squadron.  You are like my family and I can tell that something has upset you.” He gestured to the port. “You are drinking more than you used to for a start.”

“We all drink.”

“Aye but you used to drink the least out of any of us.  Now you drink as much and sometimes a little more.  So come on, out with it.  You know what they say a problem shared is a problem halved.”

I nodded.  He was a good friend and he was right. “It’s Beattie.  She is getting upset.  The Germans are bombing London and she is worried about me.  She was the only one not happy about the VC.  She sees it as a sign that I am being reckless.”

He nodded and stubbed his cigarette out.  “Well you are.”

“What?”

“Oh don’t get me wrong I appreciate that quality in you.  It is what makes you a great pilot.  Gordy and I can fly but you are a pilot and more than that you are a fighter pilot. Freddie told me that today you went head to head with the Red Baron and he didn’t win.  Do you know how rare that is?  If that had been me or Gordy you would be picking bits of us up with tweezers. You can’t change your nature but you should expect Beattie to get upset.”

“The trouble is it is such a long time since I have seen her.”

“Things quieten down just before Christmas. We will have a leave then.  Do something with her.  Take her away somewhere.”

“In December?”

“What?  You want a bloody suntan now?  It is the break that is important and not the weather.”

I realised how right he was. “Thanks Ted. You are right.  You should get a woman of your own .  You seem to know how to handle them.”

“Aye and that is why there are none in my life.  It is complicated enough just staying alive in the air without worrying about a woman.  I will wait until this damned war is over.  If it takes ten years like Randolph said then at least an ugly bugger like me will have more chance of a good looking woman.”

“How so?”

He shook his head sadly, “Because almost every eligible young man will be dead and the land will be filled with wounded cripples who survive this madness.”