by D. E. Kirk
Captain Peters looked as stunned as I was, but eventually found his voice “I thought only the Colonel could start Court Marshal proceedings sir?”
Forbes Hamilton looked at the Captain, a slight smile on his lips, “What you don’t understand Peters, is that the Sergeant and I have met before and believe me I will be doing us all a favour when I get rid of him. As you well know the Colonel is away and that makes me OIC and therefore authorised to instigate a Court Marshal which I fully intend to do. So let’s not waste anymore time, get him over to the guardhouse and set up the charges, common assault on a fellow NCO.”
The Sergeant of the Guard was called, and I was doubled across the parade ground over to the guardhouse, between him and a Bombardier. New recruits stopped their drill to watch as I passed them by, their Corporals angrily berating them for daring to stop.
Once inside the guardhouse I was put into a cell, my pockets were emptied and my belt and shoe laces removed. The cell door was closed and I sat on the bed alone for what seemed like a very long time. They had removed my watch so I had no way of telling. I must have dozed off but woke suddenly when I heard the key turn in the door. Captain Peters came into the cell holding a manila coloured folder he told me to sit down, I got back down onto the end of the bed, and he sat down at the other end.
“Now listen to me Hibert. I don’t know what’s gone on in the past between you and the Major but whatever it was he seems determined to take his revenge. I’ve tried to talk to him but he won’t listen to me, it seems that there is nothing I can do to stop this. I have to charge you with assault. Although there seems to be plenty of witnesses who say you acted in self defence, it would seem that because we are at war he can push this case through in camera, without a witness even needing to be called. You need to understand that you could be serving a sentence in a military prison by this time next week and I can’t think of any way to stop it?”
With that he read the charges out, gave me a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches and left promising to come back when he’d had another word with the Major.
I lit one of the cigarettes and thought about what to do and came up with nothing, not for the first time I missed having Ronnie to talk to. Later one of the guard Sergeants bought me a cup of tea and asked me if I wanted anything? From his conversation it seemed that all the NCOs were talking about my situation and that only the Major and Foxwell thought that I was to blame. Everyone else believing it was a minor incident that should never have left the Sergeants’ mess. But then he added something that made the situation seem even more hopeless to me. “Course it doesn’t help the Major and Foxwell being as thick as thieves, we never did find out why? Foxwell has very little ability and we have all wondered just how he got his stripes but something must have gone on in the past and now he seems to have the Major just where he wants him.”
As he turned to leave I suddenly felt very desperate and called him back. “Could you do me a favour?” I asked, he put his arm on my shoulder before he replied. “Sure, most of us here would, we’re all on your side, what do you want?”
“Could you telephone someone and tell them what’s going on?” I asked.
Despite his offer of help the Sergeant looked a bit doubtful but after a moment’s hesitation he gave a slight smile and agreed that he would, I gave him Lieutenant Baker’s phone number.
Early the next morning I was awakened with a cup of tea. Later, a bowl of hot water, soap and towel for a wash was brought the guard Corporal brought in a razor but had to stay whilst I shaved.
My ablutions over, I was told to dress ready for inspection later and then the Sergeant whom I had spoken to yesterday bought me a bacon sandwich and quietly mentioned that he had spoken to Lieutenant Baker who had told him to tell me not to worry, he’d make sure the boss got to know.
After he had left the cell I sat in there in my battledress playing patience and wondering just what would happen to me.
An hour or so later I again heard the keys rattle in the lock, Captain Peters entered the cell. I stood up and stood to attention he told me to stand at ease and then explained to me that my hearing was scheduled for 3.00pm that afternoon, he went on to say that Forbes-Hamilton had sent for a friend of his, another Major who would officially act as my defence but in reality would be just there because protocol required it. The Captain was clearly both embarrassed and annoyed but said he was powerless to help.
All that he could promise was that he would make sure the Colonel was given the full facts on his return and hope that he would be able to do something to help.
After a light lunch, most of which I left, someone gave me a Daily Mirror, and having read the latest episode of Jane I tried to distract myself by attempting the crossword but found that I couldn’t concentrate. Instead I spent my time alternating between pacing up and down the cell and lying on the bed, neither of which I was able to do for too long.
Eventually the keys began to rattle again and the cell door was opened by the Sergeant of the Guard, I was called out and again, along with the Sergeant and a Lance bombardier, was doubled across the square to one of the bigger admin blocks, then down several green painted corridors where we stopped outside a door which the Sergeant immediately knocked on.
The knock was answered by a very young looking Lieutenant who told the Sergeant to carry on, we immediately doubled into the room, stopping and standing to attention in front of several large tables that were covered in khaki cloths.
In the centre of the middle table sat Forbes-Hamilton, flanked on one side by a Captain and on the other by a Lieutenant.
To both the right and the left and at right angles were two other tables, both of which had a Major and a Captain seated at them.
From the table to Forbes Hamilton’s right a Captain stood up and introduced himself and the rest of the Court Officials. It seemed that the three officers on the centre table were the judges and the officers on the separate tables were the defence and prosecution councils. Once he had completed the introductions he read out the charge “Common assault on a fellow NCO.” and asked me how did I plead? I of course pleaded not guilty. He then sat down; the Captain who was the prosecutor stood, reading from a paper he held in front of him began to state the case against me. It took him less than five minutes to read out details of the alleged incident, he ended by telling the court that he had witness statements from both the victim and a Private Roberts who was working as a glass collector in the Sergeants mess on the night of the incident. When he sat down Forbes-Hamilton looked over at the Major who was supposedly my defence council and asked him if he wished to speak, he simply looked up and replied,
“Not at this time.”
I could feel my freedom slipping away from me and was starting to feel really quite angry when the door opened and in walked the familiar form of Commander Rachel Harrison, looking perfect in her Wren’s uniform, at her side looking equally immaculate and very formidable was CPO Smith.
Forbes-Hamilton almost leapt from his chair, the water jug and glass so carefully set before him, tipping over and making a dark stain on the khaki table cloth. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you interrupt Court Marshall Proceedings?” he bellowed.
“Don’t you remember me Major I debriefed you after that unfortunate incident in Dunkirk when you were the cause of valuable intelligence being lost. Of course you were a Captain back then; I see you’ve risen a little now, strange really, seeing that we recommended that you should be moved from any position of authority. I see our wishes weren’t followed, oh well, I bet daddy must have called in a few favours eh?”
Forbes-Hamilton moved from behind the desk and rushed towards her, his face white and his teeth bared against thin lips, instinctively I moved forward to protect her but felt arms holding me back on both sides.
I honestly didn’t see what happened next but suddenly the Major was in a heap on the floor with Smithy holding out a hand to help him up. “Careful sir,” he smiled “I think this floors
been a little too well polished.”
The Major who was my Defence Council came around and led Forbes-Hamilton back to his seat, then pushed him none too gently down into his chair. Rachel opened the leather briefcase she was carrying and removed an envelope, placing it on the desk; she said to Forbes-Hamilton “Please read the contents of this envelope Major. You will see that it is a letter from the Prime Minister himself giving me the authority to recruit Service Personnel from any of the services into our unit, on the proviso that they themselves are agreeable. We have identified a role for Sergeant Hilbert and need him to join us right away if he is agreeable. She looked across at me and I nodded my agreement. She then took from her briefcase a second letter, unfolded it and gave it to Smithy who walked over to the officer on the table to the right and placed it before him. Rachel spoke again “That gentlemen, is a copy of the Official Secrets Act, you will all sign it and what has happened in here today will not be talked about again by any of you. In addition CPO Smith will collect from you any paperwork, transcript etc. relating to this Court Martial and they will be destroyed, this farce gentlemen, never happened. Major Forbes-Hamilton you need to know that despite me having many more important things to do, I will now make it my business to ensure you are moved to somewhere where you can do no further harm.” She then turned to me and returning to the much more feminine character that I was used to seeing, she smoothed the front of her skirt, smiled and asked “Ready Sergeant Hilbert?” I watched as Smithy finished collecting up all of the paperwork and then I followed them both from the room.
“This job that you mentioned” I asked, as we walked across to the waiting staff car “what is it?”
“Oh don’t worry about that.” Rachel replied, squeezing the top of my arm “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
THE END
(Of the beginning)
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Copyright © D.E. Kirk, 2013
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