by Gordon Ryan
“That’ll be fine, Corporal. Thanks, and my apologies again.”
“Not to worry, sir,” Townsend said, coming to attention and saluting.
London, England
September, 1935
In late September 1935, The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst commenced a new term, and Winston Churchill gave the opening address. Since 1933, when Adolph Hitler first came to power as chancellor of Germany, Churchill had been voicing a warning to the British people about Hitler and his intentions, but many of those in power, including some in his own conservative party, pooh-poohed Churchill’s concerns, dismissing his warnings and calling him a warmonger.
United States Marine Corps Major Thomas Callahan listened intently while Churchill recounted the history of European nations and their ascendancy and decline. The quest for economic power, Churchill admonished those present—some new students as young as sixteen—was the driving force in the modern world, and to achieve or retain such power, nations had gone, and would continue to go, to war.
Churchill’s concluding remarks struck Tommy as prophetic in that he strongly advocated building a superior base of air power to supplement the ground soldier. Sandhurst, long a bastion of infantry training, had traditionally given little credence to the importance of air power. Churchill, one of Sandhurst’s own, was now supporting the mission of the Royal Air Force, and Tommy smiled to himself at the cool, provincial reception his message was receiving.
After the opening exercises concluded, a small reception was hosted by Brigadier McIntyre for guests and members of the faculty. Standing in a small cluster of officers, Churchill saw Tommy across the room.
“Ah, Major Callahan,” Churchill said, waving him over to join the group. “Please be good enough to join us, if you will. Gentlemen, this is Major Thomas Callahan, recently seconded to Sandhurst from the United States Marine Corps. Major Callahan will be instructing our young cadets about economic warfare in the modern age.”
Several field-grade officers shook hands with Tommy, and a lieutenant colonel from the Royal Fusiliers said, “Major Callahan, we were just discussing Mr. Churchill’s advocacy of air power. How does the American Marine Corps view his proposition?”
“Quite favorably, I think, sir. It’s going to be essential in the order of battle in any large-scale future engagement.”
“That’s a rather definitive statement for an unproven and often unreliable component of modern warfare.”
Tommy glanced at Churchill, then pressed on with his response.
“Colonel, General Mitchell of the American Army proved, in 1925, I think, that airpower can disable the strongest battleship. In ’26 and ’27, I participated in amphibious landing exercises in Hawaii, part of our overall strategy for a hypothetical engagement in the Pacific against a well-entrenched foe bunkered down on one of the islands. We quickly saw that a landing force from seaward has no hope of establishing a beachhead against an enemy with superior airpower.”
“Balderdash, Major,” the lieutenant colonel continued. “Give me a finely tuned regiment of artillery, and I’ll keep your ships well back and your men off the beaches.”
“Yes, sir.” Tommy nodded agreement. “But if my airpower has already destroyed your artillery, then I’ll storm ashore and capture every fortified position you hold, using airplanes to keep your nose in the dirt while I do it.”
“Is this is the view of the Marine Corps, and is that what you’ll be teaching here at Sandhurst? Airpower?”
“No, sir. My role is not that of a military strategist or tactical operations instructor. As Mr. Churchill said, economic warfare, especially preliminary to actual combat, is the essence of military preparedness. That’s the concept I hope to explore with your students.”
“And that, gentlemen,” Churchill interjected, “is exactly what Mr. Hitler is accomplishing in Germany at this very moment—with the acquiescence of our own government, I might add.”
“Good lord, Winston,” the lieutenant colonel said with a sigh, “let’s not get on that subject again, if you please. The prime minister has assured us Hitler is only trying to bring some prosperity back to Germany. Can’t blame the man for that, even if he was only a corporal in the last war.”
“Mark my words, Johnny, the Hun will be back, and his ships, tanks, and steel factories will be of the finest quality. And his airpower will be second to none ... including the RAF, unless we wake up to the threat.”
“I don’t agree, Winston, but, there you are. Major,” he said, turning his attention back to Tommy, “am I correct that you also served in the last war? Doing what, specifically?”
“Nothing important, Colonel. I was only a corporal,” Tommy replied.
Churchill coughed a bit too much just as Brigadier McIntyre joined the group and quickly moved to defuse the growing tension.
“Gentlemen,” McIntyre said, “with the advent of the air arm, perhaps our traditional division of engineers and artillery over at ‘the shop’ in Woolwich, and infantry and cavalry here at Sandhurst, will have to be supplemented by a third RMA for fliers, eh, what? What say we adjourn to the drawing room for a bit of brandy and cigars?”
“Finest suggestion all afternoon, David. You’ve saved the day again,” Churchill said, stepping away with McIntyre and inclining his head for Tommy to join them.
“You’ve got a solid head on your young shoulders, Major. My compliments,” Churchill whispered to Tommy. “What was your last assignment?”
“Sir, I was executive officer in Pacific Area War Plans, Marine Headquarters, Washington.”
“David, you need to extract every bit of wisdom the Marines can provide, it would seem. I’d say this young man has a grasp of total warfare, including economic preparedness and the use of all the military elements,” Churchill said as they crossed the room.
Chapter Two
Aldershot, Hampshire, England
October, 1935
The Sunday before Christmas, Tommy was wearing a civilian suit and tie and was on the road in his MG just after 7:00 a.m. He drove the fifteen or so miles to Aldershot, where he located the address Corporal Townsend had written down. It was a small union hall with a couple of offices downstairs and an upstairs meeting room. Tommy entered the building and climbed the creaky wooden stairs to the second level. Opening the door and stepping into the dimly lit room, he saw two younger men who stopped their sweeping and turned to face him. Instantly, Tommy knew he was in the right place.
“Good morning,” the shorter of the two men said. “Can we help you?”
“Maybe I can help you.” Tommy smiled. “What time does your service start?”
“At eight-thirty, sir. Will you be joining us this morning?”
“I will, after I help you sweep up. Looks like someone had a party in here last night.”
“They did.” The young man laughed. “Every Saturday night, the worker’s union has a dance and a booze-up. Sunday morning, we collect the beer bottles and sweep up the mess before services. We’re glad you could join us. I’m Elder McTavish from Glasgow, and this is Elder Honeycutt from Ephraim, Utah. Are you familiar with the LDS Church, sir?”
“Yes, I am, Elder McTavish,” Tommy said. He hesitated a moment, then added, “But I’ve been away for a while. Thomas Callahan is my name.”
“You’re most welcome here, Brother Callahan. The members should start arriving soon. Brother Albert usually comes early to help us clean up. We’ve got about thirty members in the Aldershot Branch, but they come from several surrounding villages.”
“Well, let’s get cleaning, what say?”
By eight-twenty, two dozen or so people had gathered, most of whom greeted Tommy and welcomed him to their branch. Christmas greetings were exchanged by the adult members, and the children ran around the room, their excitement at the approaching holiday evident. Finally, Elder McTavish asked the members to be seated so they could begin their service. Tommy sat on the far side of the room toward the back, away from the e
ntrance.
At eight-thirty, Elder Honeycutt opened the meeting, and the small congregation began to sing “Joy to the World.” As they completed the second verse, the door opened and Elizabeth Rossiter quietly entered, immediately followed by a man and woman in their forties, accompanied by three children. Attempting to keep their children quiet, the couple took vacant seats near the entrance, toward the front of the room, and Bess sat down next to them. At the sight of Bess, Tommy felt pangs of fear in his heart. Here he was in church, having exhibited all the characteristic traits of a non-member during their holiday weekend and now he was expecting . . . expecting what? Her to believe he was instantly LDS again? He fought the urge to quietly stand up, exit the back door, and forget the whole thing.
At the conclusion of the song, a teenage boy stood and walked to the front of the room, where he offered a brief opening prayer. Elder McTavish then rose to stand behind the small, portable podium.
“Good morning, brothers and sisters. We welcome you on this beautiful Sabbath morning. There are a few announcements. On Tuesday evening, the children’s Christmas party will be held at the home of Brother and Sister Henderson in Aldershot. Check with them for directions if you’ve not been to their home, please. Also, the group that are going caroling to the hospital need to have one more practice, according to Sister Bailey. That will be right after church this morning. She encourages everyone who can, to please attend. And before we have the sacrament song, I’d like to welcome a visitor to our branch. Thomas Callahan from, uh, Brother Callahan, where are you from?” the young elder asked.
All heads turned toward the rear of the room, and for an instant, Tommy locked eyes with Dr. Rossiter. Her face reflected her astonishment at seeing Tommy in this setting.
“Utah, Elder McTavish. I come from Salt Lake City.”
“We’re very pleased to welcome you to our branch, and if you’re going to be in the area for a while, we hope you will return. Now, for our sacrament song, let’s sing ...”
Tommy returned his gaze to Bess, who was still staring at him, her eyes wide open but a smile forming on her pretty mouth. She turned back to face the front and began to sing, but Tommy continued to stare at the back of her head. As the sacrament was passed by two of the young men, Tommy participated in the ordinance. Memories of his youth flooded his mind, and he calculated that it had been almost twenty years since he had taken the sacrament—not since he had lived with Uncle Anders and Aunt Sarah and attended the branch with them in Washington, D.C.
Throughout the meeting, Tommy glanced at Bess, although she continued to look forward. He wondered, if he had been seated toward the front, would he have been able to resist the urge to turn around and take another look at her? But Bess appeared to concentrate intently on the message being delivered.
After the service concluded, the other members who had not yet introduced themselves rose and several came to greet Tommy, welcoming him to their branch and encouraging him to return the following week. One elderly couple invited him to a Christmas dinner, should he still be in the area. Finally, most members having departed, Bess approached Tommy and stood silently in front of him for several seconds, smiling at him and slightly shaking her head.
“So, Brother Callahan, do you have any other surprises?”
“I hope so, Bess.” He grinned sheepishly.
“Well, this is enough of a surprise for quite some time, I should say. Why didn’t you tell me you were a member?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps because I haven’t been as active as I should have been. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Hmmm.” She nodded. “I’ll have to give that some thought.”
“May I take you to dinner this evening? Maybe a pork roast at the Star and Garter?”
“No, Tommy, I have a better idea. I’m cooking Kiwi roast lamb for the elders and a missionary couple. We’d love you to join us.”
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away, Bess. I’ve missed you,” he said, touching her cheek.
She placed her hand on his arm and smiled softly.
“Six o’clock. I think you know where to come.”
Chapter Three
London, England
July, 1936
On Saturday, July 25, 1936, Major Thomas Matthew Callahan III and Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins Rossiter were married in a private ceremony in London.
Tommy’s parents traveled to the British Isles to be present, but Bess’s parents, Trevor and Alice Rossiter, were unable to come from New Zealand. As the mother-in-law-to-be, Katrina did all she could in the final days before the wedding to act in Alice Rossiter’s stead.
Seby and Teresa Stromberg also made the trip, leaving three of their children at home and bringing the newest Stromberg baby, Matthew. When she first met Teresa, Bess told her future sister-in-law the story of her first date with Tommy to Brighton, where they had gone to see The Gathering Storm and Tommy had purposefully left Bess unaware of his relationship to the actress.
“He’s always had this devious streak,” Teresa said to Bess. “I think it’s because he was born in the last century. If I were you, I’d run away right now and never look back.”
“But I love him, Teresa,” Bess laughingly replied to Teresa’s mock taunt.
“Heaven help you, Dr. Rossiter,” Teresa warned, an impish grin on her face. “Now he’ll have to answer to Bess and Tess. Perhaps we should ask heaven to help him,” she said as both ladies broke out in laughter.
The two women made an immediate connection, as if they had known each other throughout their lives. Teresa agreed to serve as matron of honor, and together, Katrina, Bess, and Teresa spent three days in London prior to the wedding, shopping for Bess’s wedding trousseau.
Tommy rented a reception hall in London and invited several members of the faculty at Sandhurst. The highlight of the reception was when Winston Churchill, who had agreed to attend, along with Brigadier David McIntyre, came face-to-face with Thomas and Katrina Callahan following the ceremony.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Callahan,” the portly gentleman said, bowing slightly. “I’m pleased to see the intervening years have done nothing to diminish your beauty, nor, hopefully, your ardor for a good cause.” He smiled, taking her offered hand between both of his.
“It’s been many years, Mr. Churchill, and I have changed a great deal,” Katrina said, blushing. “But it is indeed a real pleasure to see you again. May I introduce the subject of our previous meeting, my husband, Thomas Callahan.”
“Good day to you, sir,” Churchill said, reaching to shake Tom’s hand. “I trust you’re enjoying your trip to the British Isles.”
“It’s been seventeen years since the last trip, Mr. Churchill, and the accommodations this time are much better.”
“I can well imagine, Mr. Callahan.” Churchill chuckled. “My compliments on your son’s wedding. I’ve had several chats with young Major Callahan. He’s a fine soldier, well educated and a credit to his country, and, of course, to his parents.”
“Thank you, sir,” Tom said. “His finer attributes come from his mother, I’m pleased to admit.”
Churchill chuckled again and winked at Katrina.
“It wouldn’t surprise me, sir, to find a bit of the Irish in there somewhere.”
“I’d like to think so, Mr. Churchill.” After circulating throughout the room, the two newlyweds joined the small group, and Katrina gave Bess a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Thomas, we now have a doctor in the family,” Katrina said.
“And not a moment too soon, since I’m getting so old and decrepit. Do you know much about geriatrics, Elizabeth?” Tom teased.
“Not yet, Brother Callahan. Do you think I should learn?” She smiled.
“You’ll be better off, dear,” Katrina said, “if you call him Dad or Pop. He’ll feel much younger, I think.”
“Major,” Churchill said, “Brigadier McIntyre tells me you and your lovely bride will be taking some time to tour the Continent. Will
you be visiting Germany or Italy?”
“Yes, sir. We’ll take the night train to Dover and the ferry over to Calais.”
“If it wouldn’t be an imposition, Dr. Callahan, I’d very much appreciate a word with your new husband before you leave this evening.”
“You may have him, sir, for a brief moment, but then he’s mine, and I’ll not give him up for an instant.”
“Well said, madam.” Churchill smiled. “And, Mrs. Callahan,” he said, turning back to face Katrina, “it was a pleasure to meet you again. I have fond memories of our meeting with Mr. Lloyd-George that eventful day. And you, sir,” he said to Tom, “have reason to be very proud of your wife. She took the British lion by his mane and tweaked his nose, as it were. I’ve not seen the like before or since. By all rights, I should take her to Germany, where she could speak some sense to Chancellor Hitler.”
“I’ve more cause than that to be grateful to her, Mr. Churchill, but that’s high on the list, I can assure you. The accommodations at Portlaoise Prison left much to be desired.”
“Quite right, I’m sure,” Churchill said to Tom. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, as I have another engagement, I’ll take my leave. Major Callahan, if I might speak briefly with you before I depart.”
“Certainly, sir. I’ll be along in just a moment.” Tommy took his mother by the elbow and leaned in close. Mom, don’t forget that you promised me a dance. And Pop, Bess said she wouldn’t mind taking it easy on you if you’d care to wiggle your feet.”
“I’m not that old, Major Callahan,” Tom rebutted. “Your mother could tell you stories about the old days at Saltair.”