IT IS NOW A FEW months into 1917, the war hasn’t finished. If anything, the war is continuing stronger than ever. The Germans have dug themselves in around Ypres in Flanders. The French have mutinied; the British have made minor gains, as for Tom he’s still in England, still training and has been for the whole of 1916. Everyday life in Britain carried on; people were reluctant to let the Germans win. “Business as usual” became a common phrase used in civilian life.
He has formed an army band with other recruits and plays to packed houses both military and public alike. But now is the time in April as he has received his orders to go, the platoon lines up as sergeant Taylor walks up and down the line.
“You lucky, lucky people are going to the Front” he barks.
“Now go and enjoy your leave and be back at your meeting point for eight o’clock sharp on Wednesday.”
With that, troops walk in different directions as each have their own destinations.
Tom is spending his final leave with his wife; he turns up at the house and knocks on the door as he wants to surprise Ellen. She answers it with joy on her face even though she knew her husband would be home soon. They walk in together and sit down.
“Ooh it’s lovely to see you back”.
He replies “that it is” then pauses while looking down.
“What is it Tom?” she asks.
“I have to go Southampton the day after tomorrow to prepare for our trip to the Front, I thought it would be good idea to go down to the Falcon and see some friends”
A quick cup of tea and they walk down Malvern Road to the pub. Inside Tom heads straight for the bar but is accosted before he gets there.
“Hello Tom, where’ve you been lately?”
“I’ve been training”
“And when do you go?”
“The day after tomorrow, I sail from Southampton in a few days time”
Another man shouts “Tom” as he grabs him by the arm and yanks him forcibly towards the piano.
“Give us a tune then”
“Yeah, come on, you know our favourites”
And the crowd gets excited.
“Alright” says Tom surveying all the faces as they start to calm down. He sweeps his hand across the top of the piano and says “line them up”, he sits down and within seconds pints of beer appear on the top of the piano as people return from the bar. People start singing as Ellen sits down on the stool next to Tom; he plays with one hand and drinks with the other. The joyous singing goes on until the pub closes.
The next day is spent seeing family and Tom is especially happy to see his father. His mother still looks as sour as ever but Liz and her husband Thomas are there, as is Ada and her husband Charlie. Uncle Albert as well. Although Grandfather isn’t there, he finds it difficult to get out and about nowadays and can’t handle social affairs. Everyone comments on how handsome Tom looks in his uniform and asks when he was going to the Front.
“Our brother is a soldier” says Liz
“Yes, he’ll see the Germans off” says Ada
Tom senior walks up and takes his son by the shoulders
“Tom, I know what it’s like out there. You look after yourself. Try not to get yourself gassed, it’s not nice”
Uncle Albert comes along and guides people to line up for a photograph.
Everyone poses. “Poof” goes the flash; everyone relaxes and heads for their drinks. Uncle Albert speaks to Tom “go and see your Grandfather, I’m sure he’d like to see you before you go away”
Tom tells Ellen where he is going and says he won’t be long, he walks to Grandfather’s house and is shown in by Mr Greene, the landlord.
“Hello Grandfather” he says
“TOM!” says Grandfather William “how nice to see you”
“How are you Grandfather?” asks Tom
“Oh you know, I’m fine. My body’s a little creaky but I’m doing alright. Don’t you look something in your uniform? Come on; let’s have a look at you”
The old man adjusts his spectacles and examines his grandson.
“You’re a soldier now, when do you go?”
“Tomorrow, I go to Southampton tomorrow. The boat leaves the day after that”
“Hmm. I hope you look after yourself, it’s not nice over there you know”
“I know but we have to see off the Germans”
“Well, whatever happens, you’ll come back as a hero, just like your father”
“I hope so”
Grandfather points to a bottle of wine on the table
“Open up that bottle and we’ll have a celebratory drink, eh?”
Tom opens it up and pours two glasses “just a quick one, I said I would be back at the party”
“Here’s to our Country’s victory” says Grandfather and both men raise their glasses.
The following morning Tom gets up, has a wash, and shaves in the kitchen then goes to the bedroom and puts his uniform on. He stands to look at himself in the mirror. He then picks up the pocket watch and attaches the chain then slips the watch into his breast pocket. He turns to and sees a photograph. He stops for a moment, and then he picks up the photograph. It is a picture of Ellen. He smiles at the image of his wife then puts the photograph in his breast pocket. He pats the pocket with his right hand, then stands to attention and salutes to himself in the mirror.
“For King and Country” he says then walks out of the bedroom.
Ellen has also got up while he was getting ready, washes and is preparing breakfast. At the breakfast table Ellen asks Tom where he has to go.
“We go to Southampton for a few days for a brief training, and then it’s on the boat to France”
Ellen looks down and pushes her food around with her fork.
“Don’t worry Ellen. I’ll be alright” he says “I won’t be over there long; I’ve heard we’ve got the Germans on the run”.
It doesn’t help. Although Ellen is proud her husband is doing his bit for the country, she feels apprehensive about him going, after all, she knows many women who have lost their husbands and sons at the Front. The pair finish breakfast and while Ellen washes up, Tom gets his kit ready. They both make their way to the train station; take the train from Queens Park to Baker Street, then to Waterloo. The train is ready, troops are milling around with their wives and mothers. Tom throws his kit into the carriage then turns to look at Ellen. The two look at each other then embrace. It is a sight that isn’t out of place as the same scene is going on up and down the platform.
The whistle blows and all the couples withdraw from each other and the soldiers step onto the train. The doors slam shut and a row of heads stick out the windows. The huge engine starts to slowly pull its cargo out of the station. The women along the platform stand and wave to their respective partner or son. The soldiers all wave back as the train slowly pulls away, Ellen drops her hand as a tear rolls down her cheek.
Tom has been in Southampton for two days waiting around, although it isn’t really waiting, lots of drill and marching. But now the time has come as he stands on the deck of the ship. The ‘SS Huntscraft’ slowly pulls out of harbour; he looks down at the port as the crowd cheers and waves. Southampton slowly shrinks out of sight as he realises this is it, this is the real thing, the war. He recalls all the stories he’s heard of soldiers going to the Front and whole regiments being wiped out. “Will I see Ellen again” he thinks to himself.
He turns to look at the deck of the ship. Soldiers are milling around everywhere, playing cards, sleeping or just chatting. He sees Frank and Joe sitting together playing cards, arguing as usual but Tom is glad they came along. He then turns and looks out to sea in the direction of France, he is still standing in the same place an hour later when another soldier stands next to him, also deep in thought. Finally the soldier says “well, this is it, we’re on our way”.
“Yes, but will we get there?” says Tom
“What do you mean?” asks the soldier
“Well, the German submarines are patrolling these waters. I mean, look what happened to the Lusitania”
“Yeah, sunk with all hands on board”
“That was torpedoed by a German submarine you know”
The soldier thinks for a bit “at least it got the Americans into the war now”
The two soldiers introduce themselves.
“Where are you going?” asks Tom
“France” replies the soldier
“What a coincidence, so am I”
The two men laugh.
“My name’s Charles Fletcher” he says as he offers an out-stretched hand “call me Charlie”
The two shake “I’m Thomas Lane, just Tom will do”
After a few hours, the ship makes it to France and slowly glides into Le Havre. The troops disembark and make their way to the signing in stations. Now begins the journey to Paris. “Paris” he thinks out loud, “I never been to Paris” he says as he turns to the soldier next to him. The platform is packed with soldiers, Tom notices a hand painted sign pinned to the wall that reads “this way to the trenches” with an arrow underneath.
The soldiers stay in Paris for a few days sitting around outside cafes, drinking and chatting. Tom, Frank, Joe and Charlie introduce themselves to two soldiers who have been with them since the boat.
“I’m Archie Haywood”
“And I’m Edward Spencer from Battle”
Archie continues “we met in the Post Office Rifles”
Tom tells them that he too is from the same organisation. A woman walks past the small troop.
“Oh, the French women” remarks Charlie
“Easy now” says Tom “you’re married”
“Aw, she won’t know”
The men sit around laugh and sup their drinks.
“There’s the Eiffel Tower” says Ed
Tom looks up “I think we should go up there”
“What for?” says Archie
“We’re here in Paris. You cannot go to Paris and not go up the Eiffel Tower”
“Is it open?”