The Cadet Corporal

by Christopher Cummings

  A glance showed Graham that they would need to get further down the creek quickly if they were to have any chance of catching 4 Platoon. With that in mind he set off down the creek doing a monkey run. His cadets followed, with Stephen’s section also piling into the creek and joining in. It was hot and sultry in the ditch but Graham was excited now and he hurried along, ignoring the sand and dust which stuck to his perspiring arms, face and hands.

  It was just too far and they weren’t in the right place when Graham realized they must act if they were to achieve anything at all. By then they had scurried a good fifty paces down the creek and were all gasping for breath. To check on the situation Graham cautiously raised his head, just in time to see Pigsy pointing towards him from fifty metres away.

  ‘Damn! He’s seen me,’ Graham cursed. But then he noted the direction of Pigsy’s arm and that made him glance behind him. It was Halyday. He had followed but had only walked along the creek and now, much too late, lowered himself down out of sight.

  While the cadets recovered their breath Graham signalled Stephen to crawl up to join him so they could discuss what to do CUO Grey acted. He signalled and waved his arms and 4 Platoon suddenly changed direction from single file to extended line and came charging towards them. There seemed only one thing left to do so Graham did it. He stuck his head up and yelled, “Bang! Bang!”

  Shouting and screaming broke out on both sides. The Second Years came charging towards them at such a speed that Graham felt his heart rate shoot up with anxiety. 4 Platoon shrieked a piercing ‘rebel yell’ as they ran and Graham knew they would not stop. He was also aware that the older cadets had a huge moral advantage over the First Years. To put it bluntly they were scared of them.

  This showed at once. Andrews sprang up and began running. Dianne and Lucy both stood up and put their hands up. Only Pat and Roger stayed down pretending to fire at the ‘enemy’. Kirsty went down out of sight. Graham screamed for them to fight but by then it was too late. The attackers swept over them. At the last moment Graham realised that Pigsy and Waters were both running straight towards him. He was not unduly worried as one of the unit’s strict rules was: ‘No physical contact on exercises’.

  Pigsy yelled threats and swear words as he ran and his eyes met Graham’s. Only at the last instant did Graham realise he was in trouble. By then it was too late to jump up. All he could do was duck. A boot slammed into the middle of his back, hammering him down into the sand as Pigsy stamped on him. Then Graham received a kick to the head as Waters followed him. Luckily it was only a glancing blow but even so Graham’s head exploded in lights and stars. He tried to get up but Pigsy had stopped and now stood on his back, forcing him down face first into the sand.

  Graham screamed in genuine alarm and anger but he had to spit sand to do it. As he did Pigsy jumped off. A boot thudded into Graham’s ribs-Waters. Suddenly Pigsy called out loudly, “Oh sorry Kirky! Didn’t see you there mate.”

  Graham rolled over and scrambled up, furious at being assaulted. By then both Pigsy and Waters had run on. Graham saw CUO Grey running past, giving him a suspicious look. The CUO obviously knew something had happened but Graham saw no point in appealing to the ‘enemy’ commander. He stood up and dusted himself, then winced at the pain in his side and back. ‘Are the others alright?’ he wondered.

  Stephen appeared to be and so did Pat but Roger had obviously been bowled over and was shaking sand out of his shirt and hair. Kirsty came up from her hidey-hole looking scared. 4 Platoon ran on up the creek, screaming threats and bangs. Graham saw Halyday suddenly spring up from cover, then get knocked over and trampled by Pigsy and Moynihan. That caused his temper to boil over and he set off running after them, shouting angrily.

  It was to no avail. 4 Platoon ran on and did not stop till they reached the track on the crest of the ridge. Here they engaged Gwen’s section till CUO Masters and Sgt Grenfell arrived and the two platoon commanders ended the ‘battle’. By then Graham had reached Halyday, who was crying and had a big bruise showing on his forehead.

  “They hit me!” he whimpered.

  “Yeah well, you deserve it!” Graham snapped. “If you had been under cover we could have ambushed them. It was you they saw first. And if you’d stayed with us you wouldn’t have been on your own.”

  “But they knocked me over!” Halyday wailed.

  “And me!” Graham retorted angrily. He was now really feeling the kicks to his head and side.

  “They aren’t allowed to do that!” Halyday wailed. “I’m going to tell one of the teachers.”

  At that Graham was torn. He didn’t really want to make a big issue of it but he also knew that if he tried to prevent a cadet complaining it could come back on him. Reluctantly he said, “You can if you really want to.”

  “I do!” Halyday cried. Tears began streaming down his face.

  Graham looked around and saw CUO Masters looking their way. Still hoping that Halyday would forget it Graham told him to wash his face. Instead Halyday turned and walked towards the CUO. Reluctantly Graham followed, knowing he was being a coward and mentally scourging himself.

  By the time they got up to CUO Masters however 4 Platoon had marched away towards camp. CUO Masters listened and looked worried. An assault charge could be serious trouble and he took out his notebook and wrote down the names of all involved and the time. “I will tell the OC,” he said. “Now round your section up and take them back to camp Cpl Kirk. You actually did well to get them that close to the other platoon unseen. I was watching from up the hill.”

  Still feeling very anxious and unhappy Graham did as he was told. As they walked back past where 4 Platoon were now sitting at their hutchies Graham met Pigsy’s eye and received an angry, challenging stare, coupled to a sneer, in return. Back at 2 Platoon’s camp Graham fell the section out and arranged to get some washbasins and a jerry can of water so they could rinse off the sand.

  “I want a bath!” Lucy moaned.

  “You smell like you do,” Andrews commented.

  “Shut up Andrews!” Lucy spat back.

  Graham had to calm the situation, even as he watched CUO Masters talking to Capt Conkey over at the officer’s camp. Then CUO Masters headed towards him. ‘Oh no,’ Graham thought, his heart sinking.

  CUO Masters moved both Graham’s section and Stephen’s over to near the officer’s camp. While they were seating themselves Graham saw Lt Maclaren walk over to 4 Platoon. Then the questioning began. It was only about Halyday. Graham glanced at Roger and whispered, “Do you want to complain?”

  Roger looked unhappy but shook his head. “No. What’s the point?”

  That was how Graham felt but, once started, the official process could not be stopped. Twenty minutes went by, making Halyday very unpopular with the others in the platoon. Finally everyone but Graham and Halyday were told they could return to the bivouac area. Capt Conkey led CUO Masters, Graham and Halyday over to where Lt Maclaren, CUO Grey and CSM Cleland stood with Pigsy, Waters, and Moynihan. The three bullies looked very hostile and resentful and that did nothing to calm Graham’s anxiety.

  Capt Conkey told Pigsy and Moynihan that they had to apologize to Halyday. They did so reluctantly, all the while flashing daggers at Graham. Graham and Halyday were then told to go. As they walked away Graham overheard Capt Conkey cautioning the three bullies. He said that, if there were any more incidents like it, he would consider discharging them and sending them home.

  It was a very unhappy Graham who took his section to their evening meal. As he was collecting his food Pigsy walked by and ‘accidentally’ bumped him. Some of Graham’s custard spilled onto the ground. Pigsy hissed, “We will get you Kirk!”

  That made Graham even more upset but he tried to hide it. He also noted Waters snarling at Halyday, who looked very pale and anxious. ‘Damn!’ Graham thought. ‘I really wanted to enjoy this camp and do well. This is spoiling it.’

  Kirsty was sympathetic and sat next to him while he ate. Stephen and Roger also
sat with them. As he was eating Graham looked around. Several times he saw one of the bullies but each time he looked hastily away, then flushed with shame for being a coward.

  Later, when he went to do his washing up, Graham found himself next to Peter. The two friends chatted about the camp and Graham told him about the problems with the bullies, and also how the bullies had been picking on Carnes. Peter said he’d also clashed with Pigsy and Co. He then hurried away, reminding Graham they had a night exercise to prepare for. After washing up Graham also hurried back towards his hutchie.

  On the way he was joined by Kirsty, who had been washing up nearby. She grinned and flirted in such a friendly way that Graham’s hopes went shooting up. He flirted back with what he thought were witty comments. Then they arrived back at the platoon area and had to end the conversation but by then Graham was feeling quite aroused and was amazed at how his mouth had gone dry and how fast his heart was beating. ‘Maybe?’ he thought, exciting fantasies flitting through his mind. However the need to get the section ready for the night exercise drove these thoughts aside and he walked around urging the cadets to ensure they had their waterbottles full.

  “Where are Andrews and Halyday?” he asked.

  “They walked off along the track towards the road,” Pat replied.

  ‘Drat!’ Graham thought, remembering Andrew’s earlier crime. ‘I hope the little toads haven’t snuck off to have a smoke.’

  Dusk was setting in by then and Graham saw that there were only 15 minutes left before training began. ‘I’d better get them,’ he thought. He set off walking quickly along the crest of Sandy Ridge past 1 Platoon and the meal area until he reached the vehicle track. There was no sign of anyone further along the ridge towards the Canning Road so he hurried on. A hundred paces further along the ridge the track skirted the very top of the gullies which led northwards to the Canning.

  It was an obvious place for smokers to lurk so Graham moved off the track to look down the gullies. It was getting dark by then but even so he detected movement behind a big ironbark near the top of the next gully. A leg and a boot were sticking out. Mentally preparing himself to blast Halyday and Andrews if they were doing the wrong thing Graham strode angrily over to the tree. As he got closer the leg withdrew and a pale face peeked around the trunk, then vanished.

  Graham reached the tree and stopped, looking down in surprise. It was Carnes. The boy was huddled in a ball against the tree, staring up at him with a look of fear. He wore uniform but no hat and next to him was his kitbag.

  “What are you doing here Cadet Carnes?” Graham asked, still looking around.

  “Nothing,” Carnes mumbled.

  “You haven’t seen Halyday and Andrews have you?” Graham asked.

  “No.”

  “Have those bullies been giving you a hard time again?”

  “Yes. And Corporal Brown,” Carnes sniffled. He appeared to relax slightly and lowered his head.

  Graham looked around in the gathering gloom. ‘Where have those little buggers got to?’ he wondered. Then he turned back to Carnes. “You should tell your platoon commander.”

  Carnes shook his head. “Then the bullies will just wait and get back at me later,” he replied, his voice heavy with misery.

  “You must. Anyway, it is nearly time to start training. You had better get back to your platoon.”

  Carnes shook his head. “No. I’m not going.”

  “You have to. You can’t stay here,” Graham replied. He didn’t really want to get involved with Carnes’ problems. His priority was to get his own section ready in time.

  “Not going,” Carnes replied stubbornly.

  “You have to. Now get up and go!” Graham snapped testily. He was annoyed by the boy’s manner and attitude.

  “No! You can’t make me. I want to go home,” Carnes replied defiantly.

  “Then tell Capt Conkey,” Graham replied. “Now get up and get back to your platoon.”

  As he said this the possible significance of the kitbag dawned on him. He said, “Are you planning to run away?”

  Carnes said nothing but hunched into a tighter ball and looked down. That got Graham even more exasperated and annoyed. “Don’t be so unfair. That would cause a lot of other people a lot of trouble. Now go back to your platoon.”

  “Don’t care!”

  “Don’t be so selfish! Get up and go! I am giving you an order!”

  “No!”

  Graham felt his anger surge. His next impulse was to threaten the miserable boy. He had to restrain himself from reaching down to physically drag him to his feet. For half a minute he seethed with impotent rage while trying to decide what to do. He knew he couldn’t just walk away. ‘Should I go and tell Capt Conkey?’ he wondered. Whatever else he was determined that Carnes would not cause Capt Conkey a lot of grief by sneaking away.

  To gain time he asked, “Were you going to hitch hike along the highway?”

  Carnes made no answer but Graham deduced by the way he hunched that his guess was correct. “That would be very dangerous and cause the officers a lot of trouble,” he said.

  “I don’t care. They don’t help me,” Carnes replied.

  “They probably don’t know you need it,” Graham replied. “If you don’t tell them they can’t help.”

  Again Carnes made no reply. Graham again cast around for an argument to get him to obey. To his dismay he heard CSM Cleland start calling for the sergeants to move the platoons in for the night exercise. ‘Damn! Now I will be late,’ he thought angrily. It was quite dark by this so Graham could only hear the company stirring into activity.

  “Come on please,” he asked. “If my section is late I will get into trouble.”

  “You can go,” Carnes replied.

  “No I can’t. I can’t leave you and you aren’t running away,” Graham answered. He reached down and grabbed the kitbag.

  “No!” Carnes shrieked. He scrambled to his feet. “Let it go! Let go!”

  “Don’t be stupid!” Graham snapped. He could now hear Sgt Grenfell calling his name.

  “Let go! Let go!” Carnes yelled. He began to hit at Graham.

  The blows weren’t very skilful or well directed but they enraged Graham. He had to step back so as not to retaliate, but he kept hold of the bag. “Stop it Cadet Carnes. Don’t get yourself into trouble by hitting a corporal.”

  Carnes hit him several more times but Graham now just felt sorry for him and ignored the blows. Suddenly Carnes let go and turned to run off into the night. At that Graham lost his temper as he could still hear Sgt Grenfell’s angry voice calling his name. He tossed the bag aside and sprinted after the boy. Carnes didn’t get far. He was no runner and not used to the bush in the dark. Within twenty paces he had tripped on something and fallen.

  Graham stopped and stood over him then realized Carnes was sobbing. “Are you alright Cadet Carnes? Did you hurt yourself?”

  Carnes made no reply. All he did was lie there and howl. Graham felt his anger evaporate. “Oh you poor bugger!” he muttered. Instead of reefing Carnes to his feet he reached down and patted his shoulder.

  Carnes kept crying but the sobs eased after a few minutes. All that while Graham could hear sergeants shouting as they moved their platoons in to join the company. When Graham heard CSM Cleland call for silence and then for reports his distress mounted. ‘Now I am in trouble,’ he thought.

  He patted Carnes again then said, “Please Cadet Carnes. I am now late for parade and I will get into trouble. I’m not leaving you so you may as well come with me.”

  Carnes sniffled but then struggled to his feet. Graham helped him up and then heaved a silent sigh of relief when Carnes turned and began walking back towards the camp.

  CHAPTER 10

  LANTERN STALK

  As they walked back towards where the company was now seated in the dark Carnes began to deviate towards the 1 Platoon bivouac area.

  “Not that way Cadet Carnes. The CSM knows we aren’t there. We must report
to him.”

  “No. You do it. I’m not going near them,” Carnes replied.

  ‘Blast!’ Graham thought. He did not feel like another battle of wills. “Alright then, go to the officer’s fire and sit there and I will tell the CSM,” he said.

  To Graham’s relief Carnes turned and headed for the fire. Satisfied that he was actually going there Graham walked across to where the company waited in a murmuring dark mass. CSM Cleland was standing out the front. “Who is that?” the CSM asked.

  “Cpl Kirk CSM.”

  “Where the devil have you been? We have had people searching high and low for you! Have you seen Cadet Carnes?”

  “Yes CSM. There he is over there.” Graham pointed to where Carnes could just be seen against the glow of the fire. “He is going to the fire.”

  “Why? Is he sick?”

  “It’s a long story CSM.”

  “Then tell me later. We are already ten minutes late and Capt Conkey will be spitting chips,” CSM Cleland replied. “Now join your platoon.”

  “I was looking for Halyday and Andrews CSM. That is how I found Carnes. Are those two here?” Graham asked.

  “Yes they are, now sit down,” CSM Cleland replied.

  “Can I dump Carnes’ gear and get my webbing sir?” Graham asked, indicating the kitbag slung on his shoulder.

  “Gear? What? Oh blast your webbing. You go to the fire as well. We can’t wait.”

  At that Graham felt quite hurt. He had been looking forward to the lantern stalk and to be excluded and not be with his section really stung. However he sensed that the CSM was in no mood to argue so he quickly moved away. As he did CSM Cleland told Sgt Sherry to start 1 Platoon moving. There was a stir as the cadets all stood up and adjusted their webbing and dusted themselves.

  First Graham hurried to his hutchie to collect his webbing. By then the whole company had started moving off, walking west along the track towards the Canning Road. Graham found his throat was very dry so he had a big drink. A strong temptation to disobey the CSM and to just follow the company and quietly find his section caused him to pause. Then he shook his head. ‘I’d better check that Carnes actually did go to the fire,’ he thought. So he walked towards the fire, feeling distinctly annoyed and dejected. As he did two Land Rovers started up and drove off in the wake of the company.