One for the Road

by Will Roberts

  “He was a fine soldier and a fine man. Everybody in the regiment liked ‘Cockney Jackie’, and I’m proud to say he was my friend,” he continued. “I tried to track him down for five years after the war but nobody knew what had happened to him. I heard that after the war everybody was getting shipped back to England and he just disappeared one day with his friend, the Korean interpreter. What was his name? We presumed he had been captured and taken prisoner by the North Koreans, or the Chinese more likely,” he corrected himself. “When, eventually, the UN and the Chinese agreed to a prisoner exchange, his name was never on any of the lists, nor was the interpreter’s, for that matter. It was all very strange.”

  “Lim,” Adam said.

  “I’m sorry,” the old soldier said.

  “The interpreter’s name was Mr Lim,” Adam answered.

  “That’s right, it was Lim, but how did you know that?” he asked.

  “Because I met him, actually just a few months ago,” Adam answered.

  “He’s still alive? He wasn’t taken by the Chinese?” he asked.

  “Yes, he’s still alive and living in Changwon. He wasn’t captured by the Chinese, and neither was Jackie Gee,” Adam said.

  “Well, I’ll be…” he whispered.

  “And Jackie? Is he still alive?” he asked.

  “No, Jackie died in nineteen fifty-five, here in Korea,” Adam said.

  “Well, I’ll be…” he whispered again. “My name is John Gillard, by the way, Private Johnny Gillard, and Jackie Gee probably saved my life!” John Gillard offered his hand, which Adam shook. The old soldier’s grip was strong, Adam noticed.

  “Yes, John, I know he did, on hill 375, wasn’t it? John, I would like to introduce you to my mother, Jackie’s sister. Would you mind?” Adam asked.

  “No, of course not. I would be delighted. I have been waiting almost fifty years to meet the family of Jackie Gee,” John Gillard replied.

  Adam ushered the old soldier over to where his mother was talking with Sian, Rachel, and Helen.

  “Mum,” Adam said, “this is John Gillard, a friend of Jackie’s.” Adam emphasised the name, Jackie, so that his mother would realise he had not disclosed his uncle’s real name to the veteran soldier.

  “Hello, madam! I’m very pleased to meet the sister of Jackie. He was a very good man, well-liked by everybody,” he said.

  Adam’s mother suddenly became very emotional and began to cry and the old soldier put his arms around her and hugged her gently until her sobbing stopped. Johnny Gillard then took a box from his blazer pocket and handed it to Adam’s mother.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Open it and you will see,” Johnny Gillard answered.

  Jen opened the small, lined box and inside was a medal in the form of a cross with a white and purple ribbon. Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Cipher, ER, could be seen written on the medal.

  “It belongs to you. It was given to Jackie and, for some reason, maybe for safekeeping, Jackie sent it to me. I have been coming here for fifty years, praying that one year somebody from Jackie’s family would turn up so I could give it to the rightful owner. This year my prayers have been answered. If you are not familiar with the medals of the British army, you probably won’t recognise it, but I’m sure that you all have heard of the ‘Military Medal’, given in only extreme cases of gallantry.”

  There was a discernible intake of breath from everybody in our family group.

  “Uncle Joe won the ‘Military Medal’!” Rachel said, more loudly than she had intended, and John Gillard immediately picked it up.

  “Excuse me, but that’s the second time I’ve heard you people refer to Jackie as Joe. Is there something you are not telling me?” Johnny asked.

  “Yes, Johnny, there is, but not here. Can we invite you to dinner tonight? It’s quite a story, I promise you!” Adam said to the confused ex-Gloucestershire Regiment Bren gunner.

  “Indeed you can, and I can assure you I will be all ears,” he replied enthusiastically.

  The family walked back down the hill with Uncle Joe’s old friend, John Gillard, and this time Jen insisted on walking with the family rather than riding in a South Korean army jeep.

  Jen and John Gillard walked down the hill together arm in arm, supporting each other. When they reached the bottom, John Gillard went back to his own hotel in the limousine provided by the South Korea government but not before he had turned Adam’s invitation, insisting that he bought them all dinner at his hotel.

  Joe’s family returned to their hotel to change their clothes and freshen up for dinner and, later, they all assembled in the hotel lobby and made the short walk to Johnny Gillard’s hotel. This hotel, unlike theirs, was expensive, and not what Adam and Jen had expected, considering John Gillard was a war veteran who, they presumed, survived on an army pension and state pension.

  The evening turned out to be extremely pleasant and John Gillard was the perfect host. He first told them how he had fared after being discharged from the army: after recuperating at an army hospital in Japan he had returned to England and his father’s farm in Gloucestershire; he had been surprised to receive the Military Medal, by regular mail, in nineteen fifty-three, and was determined to give it to Jackie’s family. He told them that he had spent a lot of time trying to track down ‘Jackie Gee’ after the Korean War but, not surprisingly, without any success. The address that Jackie had given to the recruiting officer when he had enlisted was in London and it had been destroyed during the Second World War.

  ‘Jackie’ had told him he had a sister in Wales, but that was all he knew. Today was the first time he had heard that her name was Jennifer.

  John Gillard had never married and, after the death of his mother and father some years ago, had inherited the family farm. With no children of his own and no immediate family and with the coming of old age, he was forced to sell the extremely successful farm which, in turn, had made John Gillard very comfortably off and which explained the very expensive hotel that he chose to stay in on his annual visit to Seoul, as well as the fine meal and wine which Adam and his family were now enjoying.

  He then told them that this would be his last visit to Seoul. Now that he had been able to find the family of his friend and give them his Military Medal, he could now rest in peace.

  It was then Adam’s turn to tell the story of his Uncle Joe Watts, a man who had truly left his mark on this world. John Gillard was enthralled by the story and, apart from the occasional sigh or exclamation, allowed Adam to complete it without interruption.

  “It’s almost unbelievable!” John said, as Adam finished. “You have really done a great job of detective work, Adam,” he added. “I wish you had been around when I tried to find him fifty years ago! But what about the jewels and the diamond?” he added.

  “Well, ‘The Amor Blue Diamond’ we have put in the hands of our solicitor. Up to now, he has been unable to find the original owner – that is the person who it was stolen from in nineteen forty-nine. As for the jewels, they could still be under the floorboards in Jackie Gee’s girlfriend’s flat, in Bethnal Green. Maybe that’s the next detective job for Adam and the boys?” Jen answered as Adam was savouring a glass of excellent red wine after finishing his story.

  John Gillard had several more questions, which were duly answered by Jen or Adam; after dessert and coffee, it was time for the family to return to their hotel and a good night’s sleep before their drive to Changwon the following morning. Everybody thanked John Gillard for a very fine dinner and as they were leaving, John called to Jen and Adam.

  “I was wondering,” he said, feeling somewhat awkward, “would you mind very much if I came with you to Changwon. I would dearly love to pay my last respects to Jackie – sorry – to Joe,” he asked.

  “Of course, John. It would be our pleasure,” Jen answered.

  “Excellent, I will get the hotel to change my flight. Which hotel is it that you have booked in Changwon?” he asked.

  “The Changw
on Hotel,” Adam answered.

  “Very good. I will make a reservation there,” John replied.

  “Okay, John! Thank you for an excellent evening and we will collect you tomorrow at ten o’clock. Is that okay with you?” Adam asked.

  “Ten o’clock will be fine, Adam,” John answered. “Thank you very much.”

  “Thank you, John! Now we will wish you a good night and we’ll see you in the morning,” Adam said.

  “Goodnight to you, Adam, and goodnight to you, Jen.”

  Jen then walked over to John and embraced him. “Thank you so much, John. It’s been wonderful to meet you and thank you for a lovely evening,” Jen said to her new friend.

  “You are more than welcome, Jen,” he replied, as they broke from her spontaneous embrace.

  The following morning was clear and warm and the drive leisurely and relaxing, with stops for lunch and to visit some of the impressive sights, including the Bulguksa Temple and the Hwaseong Fortress.

  It was late evening when they arrived at the Changwon Hotel and most of the group decided to go to bed, while Adam, John, Jack and Lewis chose to have a nightcap in the hotel bar before retiring. Adam called Jin Lim, who was surprised to hear that Adam was back in South Korea, as the project at the steel mill was finished and the operations in full production. Adam then explained that it was purely a social visit and that his whole family was with him with the intention of visiting Joe’s grave the following morning. Jin then said he would join them at the bar in ten minutes but not before he had informed his grandfather that Adam was in Changwon.

  It was closer to twenty minutes later when Jin arrived, together with his grandfather, which explained his lateness. Adam and the boys were on their second beer and John was on his second whisky, which he drank straight. After introductions were made and drinks ordered for Mr Lim and Jin, Mr Lim and John naturally began to talk about old Gloucestershire Regiment contemporaries, most, if not all, long since dead.

  It was the first time that the two had met. John had been sent to Japan when Mr Lim had been rescued by Joe. After a while, Adam asked Mr Lim why he had not mentioned to Adam about Joe winning the Military Medal. Mr Lim answered that Joe was participating in the war under an assumed name and certainly never sought any publicity, and was never actually photographed with the medal. He hadn’t known what Joe had done with the medal but wasn’t surprised he had sent it to John.

  After a few more drinks, Adam and the boys decided that they too would turn in; they left the bar for their bedrooms, leaving Jin, Mr Lim and John in the bar to continue their reminiscing.

  The following morning, after buying flowers from a nearby flower shop the group, including Mr Lim, Mrs Lim and Jin, set off in a convoy of three cars for the grave of Joe Watts, the brother Jen had not seen for fifty years.

  Descending from their vehicles, the large group of people made their way on foot to Joe Watts’ private little graveyard. As Mina always did, she removed the old flowers and replaced them with new then, in turn. Joe’s remaining family each put a spray of flowers on the grave. Jen was the last.

  “Well, Joe, we spent a long time looking for you but, thanks to Adam, we’ve found you. I only wish you’d said goodbye.” Then she broke down in tears. Adam, Sian and Rachel each put their arms around their mother and held her close. These were not tears like those of the day before; no, these were gut-wrenching sobs, from the heart, and lasted several long minutes.

  When Jen had recovered and composed herself, she took from her pocket the Military Cross that Johnny Gillard had given to her, and silently placed it on the headstone.

  “This is where this medal belongs, little brother,” she said and turned to Mr Lim.

  “Now, Mr Lim, where’s the nearest public house? We shall have a wake that Changwon will never forget for your friend and my brother, Joe Watts, the finest man you ever knew… and I’m sure we will have ‘One for the Road’!”

  The solemn mood was broken. Jen Evans had finally said goodbye to her long-lost brother and she was content that he was now at rest.

  The Lim and the Evans families slowly left the private little graveyard and headed back to the cars, but Johnny Gillard remained at the graveside. It was several minutes before he joined the others waiting at the cars.

  He was still dabbing at the tears with his pure white handkerchief as he stepped into the Lim’s Santa Fe. He too had spent many days looking for his friend, and now he could return to Gloucester and rest in peace.

  London, England

  June 2000

  Adam, Paul, and Lewis found the public house, The Balaclava, Bethnal Green, without any trouble. It was still standing; Adam had feared it had been demolished years ago, and as the three walked into the public bar, it appeared that it had not changed in fifty years.

  The bar was almost empty apart from two men who were discussing something at a table in the corner, and an elderly couple who were looking at the lunch menu. Adam went to the bar to get some drinks.

  “Yes, Sir? What can I get you?” the young barman asked.

  “Two pints of bitter and a coke, please,” Adam answered.

  “Certainly, Sir,” the barman replied.

  “I was wondering,” Adam continued, “I realise its way before your time, but I was looking for a barmaid that served here in the fifties. Her name was Ellie. I wondered if she still drank in here.”

  “Ellie, you say?” the barman said.

  “Yes, she would be in her seventies now,” Adam added.

  The barman handed the drinks to Adam.

  “I don’t know any Ellie that comes in here, but maybe she comes in the evenings. I only work the lunchtime shift, but you could ask those two.” The barman indicated the elderly couple scrutinising the lunch menu.

  “They have been coming here for years and they know everyone and everything that goes on. Why don’t you ask them?” the young barman suggested.

  Adam looked over at the old couple.

  “They study that menu every day, but every day they have the same – cod and chips,” the barman whispered.

  “Okay, thanks a lot. I’ll have a chat with them. Here, keep the change,” Adam handed the barman a five-pound note.

  “Thank you, sir! That’s very kind of you.”

  After taking a large gulp of his beer, Adam picked up the three glasses and walked over to the table where Lewis and Paul were now sitting. As he passed the table where the old couple were sitting, he said, “Hello.”

  The couple looked up from the menu and acknowledged Adam’s greeting.

  “Hello,” they both replied.

  Adam placed the drinks on the table and moved one of the chairs closer to the table where the couple were sitting.

  “I was wondering,” he asked, “if you remember a barmaid that served here in the fifties? Her name was Ellie.”

  The couple looked to be almost eighty, Adam thought. Surely they must remember her. Then he thought, at their age maybe they had dementia!

  His fears were partly justified in that the old gentleman, whose name he told them was Harry after Adam introduced himself and the boys, did suffer from early stages of Alzheimer’s; fortunately, though, his wife, Hilda, was perfectly compos mentis and possessed an excellent memory. She remembered Ellie Collins but unfortunately did not know where Ellie lived, nor what had happened to her. Then, completely out of the blue, Harry said, “She had a sister, Jean! I think she lived over Hackney Downs.”

  “Well, I’ll be, Harry Dawkins! You can’t remember what you had for breakfast, but you remember some young girl from fifty years ago!” Hilda said.

  “I also remember, she had lovely legs and wore those suspenders!” Harry added, chuckling away to himself.

  “Harry Dawkins – you old devil!” Hilda, also laughing, reached over and slapped her husband across the shoulder.

  Adam and the boys also laughed at this and when the laughter had subsided Hilda suggested they ask in The White Hart on Amhurst Road.

  Adam a
nd the boys finished their drinks and after thanking the couple for their help, Adam paid for the couple’s lunch (cod and chips, a pint of beer for Harry and a gin and tonic for Hilda); they then left the pub and hailed a cab to take them to The White Hart, in Hackney.

  Again they got lucky in The White Hart. The barman said that Jean Collins, now Jean Hutchins, occasionally came to the pub with her family. She lived with her son and daughter-in-law on Henshaw Road, but he had no idea of the number.

  The three walked the short distance to the street following the directions that the barman had given them. After asking several passers-by, they were eventually given the number of the house where they could find Jean Hutchins. The door was answered by a middle-aged woman who Adam guessed was Jean’s daughter-in-law. She had a tea towel in her hands and wore an apron. She had obviously come from the kitchen.

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “Hello, I’m sorry to bother you. Mrs Hutchins, is it?” Adam asked.

  “Yes, I’m Mrs Hutchins,” she replied.

  “We’re actually looking for your mother-in-law, Jean Hutchins. Does she live here with you?” Adam asked, feeling a bit awkward.

  “Yes, she lives here. We were doing the washing up after lunch. Would you like to come in?” she said, as she opened the door further to let them in.

  “Jean, there are three gentlemen to see you!” Mrs Hutchins called to her mother-in-law.

  “Oh yes, that’s nice!” Jean Hutchins walked into the lounge from the kitchen, as Adam, Paul and Lewis appeared from the hall. The lounge was decorated in base colours, beige and white trim. There was a large LG television in the corner of the room that was showing a popular antique show, and two large sofas, separated by a large glass-topped coffee table which was so clean that it sparkled.

  Behind one of the sofas was a sideboard displaying many family photographs, Adam noticed. A large black and white photograph of two young girls and a young man in a pub, which appeared to be The Balaclava, caught his eye. Adam guessed that they were Jean, Ellie and Jackie Gee.

  “Hello, what’s this about then?” Jean Hutchins asked.