Angel on my Shoulder Read online

  We mark time in front of a capped officer seated at a desk with his head bowed. I am unable to see his face. I wonder if we will be demobbed after all or will we have to serve some kind of punishment before release? “Halt.” The raging Sergeant Major screams. He smartly about turns and leaves the office.

  The officer looks up; low and behold it is the Colonel. Our very own Colonel we all admire and respect. He smiles climbs to his feet moves around the desk and shakes our hands warmly as he greets us. What a turn up? “Relax men, did you enjoy that? I thought I would give you a little surprise to remember the army by before your demob. I remember how you enjoyed drill.” He adds with a twinkle in his eye. The door opens the Sergeant Major returns this time his chest is bedecked with a string of medals He smiles “I enjoyed that Sir, you should have seen their faces.” They both laugh. The buggers were only winding us up and they had. “Right men you are two days overdue for your demob. By rights you should have been on your way home by now, so let us get things moving shall we? Pay parade in an hour plus the issue of railway warrants. Let the company clerk know your destination on your way out. Hand in your kit and bedding to the RQMS and that is it. We should have you on your way by this afternoon. I suggest you have a good lunch and collect haversack rations for your trip home at the mess hall, it is all arranged as I understand eh Sergeant Major?” The WO confirms this. “Before you actually leave the camp men, there is however something personal I wish to have a word with you about. I would like you to come into my office after pay parade I will speak to you individually.

  It all goes like clockwork as there are only four of us to be processed and discharged; it is over in no time. I didn’t think it would to be so easy to get out of the army as it was getting in. I am pleased with the commanding officers reference in my pay book.

  He has me credited with being an honest sober hard working and reliable soldier. The official army discharge papers certify I am two years older than I really am. I have no idea what implications this could have for me in the future. After a hearty lunch of good old army stew and suet pudding we arrive back at the squadron office to see the Colonel.

  I’m first to enter he shakes my hand and invites me to sit by his desk. “Now Adam, may I call you Adam as you are now a civilian?” I grin, blush and nod my agreement. “You know we spoke about your future plans when you would leave the army? Have you given any thoughts to what you will be doing?” This is my chance to proudly reveal what I have agreed with Oscar. “I tried to contact you Sir from Le Havre but the chateau must have closed down. Anyway I had a stroke of luck. Now that I am definitely out of the army I am about to confess something which could get me into trouble.”

  I hesitate a little unsure of the response I will receive. “I feel the need to own up, but I don’t apologise for what I did, you understand Sir?” “Get it off your chest lad you can trust me.” “Do you remember the German prisoner Sir that escaped from the dressing station?” He nods. “The interpreter fellow, the one that helped out with the German wounded?” “Yes I remember him.” “Well sir I was instrumental in helping him to escape. I didn’t arrange it he just hid in the charabanc when I was transporting wounded. He is a good man Sir totally against the war, in fact he deserted his own army rather than kill. The MP’s were trying to use him to get secrets out of one of his captured intelligence officers. You know that officer was badly wounded and yet they still questioned him, they have no scruples those MP’s. I am glad I will not have anything to do with them now I’m demobbed I can tell you.” The Colonel reveals. “I didn’t agree with a lot of their methods but they consider they were right and their lords and masters turned a blind eye most of the time unfortunately.” “I’ll tell you why I am so angry about the way they tried to use my friend Oscar Sir. I was actually there when he gave his parole. He stated at the time he would not do anything to undermine his country he even offered his assistance in translating and helping with the wounded. They agreed with the conditions, but they soon broke their word when it suited them. Anyway I had to let you know how I felt Sir.” The Colonel gives me a smile. “I think that’s our little secret don’t you? I had an idea you were involved somehow and knew the reason he escaped. In fact he left a letter with the Doctor stating why he had broken his parole. The Doctor thought a great deal of him and didn’t agree with what the MP’s were doing to the wounded German Officer either. He made sure I received the letter rather than your base commanding officer. I am flattered he trusted me. If things had gone wrong you could have been in very serious trouble you know?” “I am aware of that Sir, but weren’t we supposed to be fighting for fair play and justice?” He gives a cynical laugh. “So that’s what this was all about was it? I wish someone would have let the politicians and arms manufactures know that eh?” He sits silent in deep thought for a while then says. “Now that minor point is out of the way, let us consider your future.” “Well sir that is what I was leading up to. My friend Oscar the escaped POW is established in Le Havre as a business man. Oscar did a deal with the local French. He or should I say we now own the site of the transport depot. We also have purchased the workshops and a number of surplus trucks. I say we because he has made me a partner. We have also offered jobs to some of ex service work shop personnel. It looks like they are to join us. We intend setting up a transport business in France when I have sorted out some personal things at home. Another thing I am very proud of, do you recall the old charabanc we used to transport the wounded?”

  “Yes I do indeed.” He replies, “Well Sir she is mine. I have long term plans to set up a tour business taking relatives of the dead to visit their loved ones graves when things settle down in France and Belgium.” He smiles and congratulates me. “I am so pleased for you. I have plans to set up a similar business in England and was prepared to offer you a driver’s job. But it seems you are to be more than a driver I am very proud of you. We shall have to stay in touch. There is an opportunity to link the two companies for our mutual benefit. Yes, I see great potential ahead for us. Maybe your company will handle the European side and I will concentrate on the UK. Have a word with your partner when you get back to France. By the way how are you getting back? They are only allowing priority traffic across the channel you know?” “I have not given it any thought I shall face that hurdle when I come to it I reckon.”

  I use one of Toots expressions. “Where there is a will there is a way Sir.” That aspect hasn’t crossed my mind until he reminded me. I hope I can get back to sort out my life with Denise. Bloody hell another thought strikes me. What if I can’t get back to my new business in Le Havre?”

  “Right Lad good luck, here is my card send one of the other lads in please?” A last shake of hands and that is my army career over, the next time we meet if we do we will be as equals. I am about to leave when I remember Sandy. I do an about turn and address him. “Sir there is another thing maybe you are able to help me with. Do you remember the non combatant man Sandy that taught me and a few others to read and write” He confirms he does I continue.

  “I saw him boarding the ferry for the UK he is badly shell shocked and has lost an arm. He was a POW. Thing is Sir he didn’t recognise me and I don’t even know his proper name. Is there any chance of tracing him? The Doctor attending the wounded had no idea where he was being sent in the UK for recuperation. I owe him so much and would dearly like keep in contact.”

  “I’ll do my best my boy, he was after all part of my unit for a while it shouldn’t be too difficult. I am finishing with the army myself when I have seen you lads off. Leave an address with the clerk where you are able to be contacted.” I thank him again and leave his office.

  We had previously agreed we would wait for each other in the squadron office then we will travel to the station together. Billy whispers when I come out of the interview. “Bloody. Hell! Scouse, you have been in there ages what’s going on?” I whisper back. “Not to worry Bill I think you will like what he has to say.” One after another the lads em
erge from the interview with the Colonel smiling. It appears he offered them jobs as drivers in his transport company. Bill and Jake have accepted and are to contact him after their leave. I briefly explain my plans for France and Denise but exclude my connection with the German.

  I have an idea this wouldn’t go down to well with my mates. Dave remains silent until we press him to reveal his plans. He discloses he has no intention of returning to his home in Manchester. “I have to tell you lads I have pretended that I had a good life back home before I joined up.” He blushes deeply. “The truth is where I live is a shit hole. I have never eaten so well in my life as my time in the army.

  I have never had clean or new clothes, all I ever had was hand me downs, and I was fifth in line. Imagine what state they were in when I got them? I never even had shoes until I started work at twelve. We had different Fathers every night and my so called Mother was nothing but a drunken whore.” This is the longest statement we have ever heard Dave make. He is usually brief and to the point. The three of us listen to him in amazement. He continues after a pause. “The Colonel has offered me a job as a mechanic with his company. I have asked him could I have time to think about it. You see lads I have other plans. I had intended to re-enlist in the army most probably in a better mob next time, not that I have anything against this one.” He adds hastily. “It’s just that when I talked it over with him, Toot reckoned this would be a war time only mob and will be disbanded soon. Eh Lads after all I can now read and write and I am also a skilled mechanic.” He adds proudly. “Anyway things have changed I am glad to say. Your old mate Dave is going back to sweet Molly’s house from here. I am going to stay with her and the kids for a while.

  If we get on well together, and I know we will. I am going to marry her and we shall work her smallholding together. I have always wanted to live in the country away from that stinking smoky city I know I will be happy there. OK so she is quite a bit older than me but I don’t care. I found myself falling for her the first time I saw her I get on with young Davy and Daisy.” He grins as he adds. “An added bonus is Molly is a great cook. So there you are lads my plans in a nut shell.” I should have known Dave’s belly would be involved somewhere. I find I have to ask him to answer a question that his revelation has revealed. “Dave you say she is a great deal older than you, believe me I’m not meddling but, just how old are you now?” “I’m seventeen and Molly is twenty two. Not that it makes any different to how I feel about her.” He replies with an antagonistic tone in his voice. “No Dave it’s not the age difference between you and Molly. It’s how old you were when you joined up.” I answer my own question. “So you were only fifteen when you enlisted? Phew! and I thought I was the youngest in our mob. You kept that quiet you sneaky bugger.” Dave grins. “Anything to get me away from my bloody family, even a war was welcome I can tell you. But I have to admit I’m worried about my youngest Sister living with that old cow, she’s only twelve. I wish I could figure a way to get the kid away from her.” He adds glumly.

  “She will have her on the game like my other Sisters as soon as she is old enough, sure as eggs are eggs.” I commiserate but have no advice to give him. Fortunately despite my rough upbringing in the orphanage and my time with my adopted parents this side of life had not touched me. Out of the blue Jake grins and admits. “I was only seventeen when I joined up.” Billy exclaims. “Bugger me I have been in a kindergarten outfit.

  It looks like I was the only legal one amongst us in this outfit you buggers. Eh! Lads, have you looked at you discharge papers? According to the army you three are all older than you really are.” We crowd around Dave one after another to congratulate him and shake his hand. “Dave don’t forget to invite us to the wedding eh mate?” Billy asks. Before we set off for the station I have an idea. “Look Dave and I don’t want you to be offended when I suggest this, Molly was good to us but it has worried me that we used a lot of her winter rations. Now, we have all been paid so what if we have a whip around and you take some cash to her to pay for the food we ate?” Dave begins to protest. “Jake brushes his words aside. “I’m all for that. We are not taking any refusals Dave so don’t bother making any. Here she can have half of what I have got. We could have died in that blizzard if she hadn’t taken us in, it’s the least we can do.” He places some cash on a chair, Billy follows and I contribute my share.

  We are about to leave when the Colonel emerges from his office. “Excuse me Lads.” He says. “I could not help overhearing your conversation forgive me. I think that is a very noble gesture you are making I would like to contribute if you don’t mind.

  I won’t embarrass you by offering cash er Dave. I have had a word with the Sergeant Major. He knows of the army widow and her circumstances. We are arranging for some supplies to be delivered to her house. Now it is not charity I must stress that. I would not offend the lady for I know she is a proud woman. It is army rations that you lads would have had if you had made it to the camp a couple of days ago. And Dave, may I congratulate you as well. I hope you will be very happy and don’t forget about the job offer.” With that statement he returns to his inner office before we have the opportunity to say anything. Dave blushing with embarrassment picks up the cash and we set off to our lives outside the British Army. Why couldn’t other officers we encountered have been such a gentleman as this one? I ask myself.

  Welcome home.

  The snow has all but cleared in the lane as we trudge through the slush. Darkness arrives early at this time of the year. We step out lively to reach the station before lighting up time. Halfway there we arrive at Molly’s house where we part from Dave with further wishes of good luck to our mate. Now there are only three of us heading home.

  Very soon we will be parting also. I have had these men as my constant companions for the last two traumatic years, now we must make our separate ways. I only hope against hope we will meet again, maybe at Dave’s wedding. Or will it be at mine and Denise’s? We exchange addresses at the station I give the lads Oscars address in France and my adopted parents in my home town. I hate farewells but make them we must.

  My train is first in and I board with mixed feelings.

  It is only a couple of hours train ride in a crowded but this time fiercely heated coach to Woodside Station via Chester and I am on familiar ground. My house is located in a side street by the docks. It is pitch black by the time I set off on the last leg of my journey on foot. I take the short cut through Morpeth Docks along the cobbled road poorly lit by flickering gas lights. The copper peeping out of his tiny dock gate hut gives me a cheery wave as I pass by. “Been demobbed Tommy?” He calls. “Yes.” I reply proud to be addressed in such a manner. “I’m a civvy again.” “Welcome home lad and good luck to you.” He ducks back into the warmth of his snug little nest.

  I know I’m nearly home when I see the local pub the Piggy is still going strong. As I pass and tread on the cellar door we used to dance on as kid’s I hear a drunken voice singing the boozers song. There’s an Old mill by the stream Nellie Dean. I have to smile. There was never much variety in the Piggy’s medley of songs blurted out by the neighbourhood drunks. It is about eight o’clock at night when I finally reach my house in Vine Street. I find I am getting a little excited as I rap on the front door wondering what kind of reception I shall receive. I haven’t been in touch since I left to join the army. There was no point as neither of my adopted parents is able to read or write. From inside the house I detect the sound of a baby crying followed by a harsh male voice shouting. “Shut that little bleeder up or I will.” Strange! It is not my step father’s voice or someone I recognise. They must have visitors, passes through my mind. I knock again louder this time. The door is suddenly opened to reveal in the arc of the gas light a fat scruffy man, unshaven, shoeless and wearing only a filthy singlet and torn trousers. The odour of stale cabbage and urine permeates from inside. “What the bleedin hell do you want soldier boy?” He sneers as he recognises my uniform. I step back away from
his foul breath. “Er who are you, are my parents in?” “No piss off.” He erupts with a stream of foul abuse as he slams the door in my face.” I am astounded and frankly don’t know what to do next. My step Mother was over particular and kept the house as clean as a new pin. What has happened here? There is nobody about on the frost encrusted pavements, I consider knocking on next door. Sited directly across the road is Malloy’s chip shop.

  Through the window I recognise the proprietor, a nice man name of Ted I know quite well. I had a little side line job when I was a kid collecting his fish from the station for him. I enter the shop and he asks for my order before he recognises me. “Bloody hell look whose here?” He says when he looks up and identifies me. “Hello Adam I didn’t know you were home, how you doing lad.” He evidently sees something in my face before I answer he says.

  “Oh dear, don’t tell me you didn’t know about Millie and Harry? Ere, lad come through you look frozen.” He lifts the counter flap and invites me into his living quarters at the back of the shop. He addresses his large assistant. “Gladys mind the shop for a while will you, there’s a love? I want to have a word with young Adam here.” In his living room he invites me to strip my damp clothes off and make myself comfortable. We sit down in front of the open fire and he brews a pot of tea from the large iron kettle. When he’s poured two cups he begins to explain. “It was the flu epidemic you see lad, Harry got it first Millie nursed him but I am afraid he died.