Chapter 25

Petty Officer Stuart Betts’s behaviour had completely changed. He was being a model naval Non-Commissioned Officer and doing everything Lieutenant Archie Malcolm and Commander Edgar Bennett required for the mission to go ahead as planned.

Furthermore, Petty Officer Betts had been on the shooting practice range whenever time allowed, and was boosting team camaraderie at every opportunity. Archie had had a change of heart and thought he would be a valuable member of the team. With his vast practical experience, (he had served for over twenty years,) he would be useful if they were up against it.

Lieutenant Malcolm decided that in leading the team, with Petty Officer Betts providing some experience, he would also need several of his reliable core group. These were crack marksmen in peak physical condition, with whom he had served for a number of years, and they weren’t all men.

Jackie and Jo were as tough as any of them, in excellent physical shape and perfect shots. In addition to Jackie and Jo, were Nick, Kevin and James. The seven of them had to work as a close unit. Kevin would handle the communications and Nick and James were experienced in Arctic and Alpine conditions and would scout the ground that lay ahead.

As Archie walked across to the map table there were reconnaissance pictures strewn across the whole of the glass top. Jackie and Jo had been going through the layout of the Alpine area that the team were to be in, searching for signs of installations that could be a threat to them when on the ground.

Commander Edgar Bennett appeared and loomed over Lieutenant Malcolm’s shoulder. He started to point at the map table and confirmed what the team already knew:

“The coded radio traffic was believed to be emitted from this valley close to the resort town of La Plagne in the French Alps. There is a scheduled air drop at 08:00 hrs with your team to depart at 06:00. Do not be late and ensure that you come back with further information as to what is going on. You may use whatever force is necessary to ascertain what threat is being imposed on the United Kingdom and please do remember this operation is to be strictly between these four walls, is that all understood?”

The entire team answered as one: “Yes, sir.”

So they were on for the following morning. This was it. Archie’s moment of glory or failure. The mission was his responsibility and he would be making the decisions on the ground that would be affecting the lives of his six team members. He was unlikely to sleep, but he then remembered it was practice night at the Cathedral.

He had let the ringing team down in the recent striking competition. All had told him that it was not his fault but it still hurt. To have come a close second to St Mary’s was not good news. They were the chief rivals and David had been in their band. It was not like Archie to mull over this issue. He needed to pull himself together.

Archie de-briefed the team and left them until 05:30 when they would be meeting prior to their departure at 06:00. He collected his cap and coat and, as usual, rushed out past Monica, who he blew a kiss at, just to gain a reaction. He was not disappointed by the scowl of the response, but he was sure that she had given a small, sly wink just before he swiped his card to let himself out and he walked hurriedly past the sentries at the main gate.

Archie walked up the spiral staircase and greeted the Tower Captain and Mavis who were already in the ringing chamber. The rest of the band arrived within the next few minutes and the Tower Captain made a point of saying to everyone:

“We all did fantastically in the striking competition and we are pleased that Portsmouth Cathedral achieved as much as we did. It is important for us to go forward from what we have achieved and look to bring the trophy back next year.”

There was an air of calm. Everyone in the room agreed. There were nods and a “Here, here.” Then the Tower Captain called everyone to order, “Now for some ringing. Yorkshire Royal please. Archie you are involved.”

The ringing sounded wonderful. All were inspired and Archie felt cleansed, being able to move forward again with his head held high.