Angels at Mons

by Carl Leckey

  We have just about cleared up after raid one and removed the bodies to the burial ground and are totally fatigued. We are heading towards our tents when the enemy comes over again.

  This is a totally new tactic designed to wear us down they begin arriving at about ten minute intervals. This time they hit the farmhouse and the stable building used for stores. Our group manage to extinguish the farmhouse fire pretty smartly but the stable is completely destroyed partly due to the discarded weapons and ammunition kept in there. Without a pressure pump we cannot get close enough to throw the water from the buckets due to exploding cartridges and grenades.

  At daybreak the damage is surveyed, with all the hospital stores completely destroyed we are in a real fix until the replacements arrive.

  My mates and I finally bed down in our bunkers about an hour before having to resume our duties. Roused by the reveille bugle for our day duties we are absolutely exhausted. I look at Billy without saying a word we both know what we have to do.

  Billy says. “I’m on duty with the Sergeant shall I have a word, I want you to have credit for finding the cave Scouse, you lead us there ok?”

  A summons to the farmhouse arrives by runner about an hour after I had turned out for work.

  The Colonel and the Staff Sergeant are already waiting when I nervously enter. The smell of smoke still hangs about from the earlier raid, and all the windows have been blown out by the blast. This is the first time I have been into this room since Black Mac moved us out a hundred years ago. The Colonel returns my salute.

  “I believe you have something interesting to tell me lad?”

  “Yes Sir. I think I have found the perfect air raid shelter for the hospital.”

  “Will you take the Staff and I there to see if it’s suitable for our needs lad?”

  Proudly I reply. “I certainly will Sir.”

  After the near despair of the last few weeks at last I feel great. Finding the cave is certainly boosting my moral. I hope it does the same for the rest of the station

  I proudly guide them to my discovery after collecting Billy and a couple of carbide lamps on the way to the site.

  When we arrive Billy and I begin to clear the opening, as we work the Colonel recollects. “I remember walking over this field once when we first arrived. The only thing here then if my memory serves me correctly was a small barn thing Hmm. It must have taken a direct hit there’s not much left of the building eh Staff.”

  I tell the Colonel about Oscar and his Roman Villa.

  “The prisoner reckons it is located somewhere in this area. I am sure he would appreciate seeing what we have found.”

  The Colonel appears impressed when I explain about Oscar and his former life “We’ll see what we can do about bringing him up here if things work out my boy. Now let’s explore your find.”

  I suggest the Colonel remain at the entrance until Billy and I go ahead to illuminate the interior, he smiles and agrees to my request.

  I lead the way Billy follows, when we reach the main chamber we light every candle plus the carbide lamps making it look fabulous.

  On completing this chore Billy returns to the entrance to guide others.

  The Colonel and Staff arrive and express their delight at my find.

  Bugger me, the Colonel only places his hand on my shoulder and says.

  “I think you have saved the station lad. I’ve recently received orders to evacuate if the raids become heavier as you know they have. Relocation would have entailed the wounded having to travel a greater distance for initial treatment. It would have meant a matter of life and death for many of them well done lad.”

  I am overcome with happiness. If only every Officer was of the same calibre as this man I’m certain the war would have been over by now.

  I feel I could follow him to the ends of the earth and I know I am not alone in this opinion.

  The Staff moves over to the huge barrel where a trace of the wine we drew marks the floor. “Is anything in these?” He enquires tapping the barrel.

  I inform him. “There is in that one. I tested it when we found this place. I don’t know about the others though Staff.”

  “Tastes nice, does it?” He asks with a grin on his face.

  “Well I’m no connoisseur but it seemed ok to me.” I reply.

  “We should test the rest of the vats Sir, can you imagine what it will be like if we relocate the patients down here and they get into this stuff?”

  The Colonel laughs with us. “Good idea Staff you go ahead, use these two lads to help you I’m sure they will enjoy the task. This place is ideal for our purposes we shall move the operation down here immediately. I’ll return topside and contact HQ. We will get a team of Sappers down here as soon as possible to get things moving. Don’t make a party out of it will you, ha ha?” He left us chuckling to himself.

  We did test all the vats, unfortunately only the one I sampled earlier contained wine. The shrewd French farmer has evidently taken time to shift his wine stock before evacuating his premises.

  “Well that’s solved the biggest problem.” The Staff informs us.

  “Now let’s get organised before the Hun comes back to give us another pasting. Come on lads we only have to drink about a hundred pints each and we can go and have a lie down.”

  Billy found a bottle enabling us to have a drink without lapping like dogs. After a few drinks we have had our fill the wine tastes very sour.

  “No wonder the farmer left this barrel the bloody stuff has gone off.” The Staff informs us.

  I’d hung my tunic top on one of the taps as we carried out the tests. As I retrieve it I notice the other letter Billy gave me sticking out of the inside pocket. I had forgotten all about it in the hectic days since the first air raid. Pulling it out of the pocket I carefully smooth the crumpled paper.

  “Have you got yourself a letter from home Scouse?” The Staff inquires. “I’ve no idea Staff I can’t read you see.”

  He offers. “Do you want me to read it to you?”

  “Please Staff if you would?” He opens the letter and quickly scans through the contents.

  “You’re not going to like this very much Scouse.” My stomach fell.

  He enquired. “Are you sure you want me to read it?”

  I agree for him to read the letter. “It’s from a woman called Mrs. Knight, do you know her?”

  Mystified I agree I do know the lady. He continues by reading the letter out loud. “She says. I am writing to tell you how well our Tommy is doing in the Army. I am not worried about him because the newspapers tell me the war will be over shortly and our side is winning. Are you enjoying your Army life as much as Tommy? Have you two met up yet, I know you were the best of pals before you got split up by the war? Don’t forget to visit me when you come home on leave, it will be lovely to see you again. See if the Army can arrange for you and Tommy to be on leave at the same time? I have written to him asking him to come home for his birthday, do you think that will be alright? We could have a nice party for the two of you. I saw Mr Dobbs at the shop the other day he asked how Tommy is doing in the Army? All the staff at the shop are very proud of my Tommy. I am to let him know his job will be waiting for him when he gets home after the war. He told me he would be retiring soon and he would be considering Tommy for a Manager’s job. Isn’t that good news? Maybe Tommy will be able to get you in at Dobbs away from that awful job with the council. We are very proud of you both. You are very brave boys volunteering for the Army at sixteen. Bye for now. Look after yourself. Mrs Knight.”

  Tears well up as I take the preferred letter from the Staff Sergeant.

  I explain tearfully.” This is from the Mother of the lad they shot Staff and Sandy and I buried in an unmarked grave. Her only Son Tommy is all she had you know Staff? The poor woman is a widow from the Boer war. Tommy never even saw his Dad. He went away to war before he was born. What can I tell her?” I sniff back more sobs.

  Billy shuffles his feet and looks at
the ground, the Staff Sergeant pats me on the shoulder “Sorry lad, it’s this awful bloody war. I’ll help you draft a letter to his Mum if you like. Come on let’s get things moving, otherwise the bloody Huns will be over for another bash at us.”

  As we descend using a short cut down a steep bank the bugle sounded for all station Staff to report to the assembly area.

  When we arrive the Colonel explains the situation to the troops, NCO’s allocate tasks and organise the move.

  Billy most impresses me, since sewing on the stripe he has become a different man, giving orders with a certain authority and the men are obeying him without question.

  Me I still have to find a place to dig another hole as the bits and pieces are building up to an embarrassing level. When the Sergeant has a minute I explain my problem about the sandstone and my inability to reach the required depth for the disposal holes, he thinks for a moment.

  “Leave it to me Scouse, I have an idea but I will have to put it to the Colonel, if it works out you won’t have to dig another hole, we’ll get someone else to do it, ha ha”

  “I don’t want to lose my job Sarg.” I grumble. Although most of the lads considered my task one of the worst in the station I have grown to like it. Basically I am my own boss as long as I carry out my routine duties, no bullshit parades or inspections and very little contact with authority. Except for the horrible Tommy incident this Scouse is all right thank you.

  “No trouble lad you won’t lose your job I’ll see to that. I believe you will appreciate my plan. If it comes off your job will be a lot easier trust me. Now help the others with the move I’ll see you after and explain everything that’s if the Colonel approves.”

  The relocation to the caves goes well, although it is hard work for everyone as we race against the possibility of another raid. The lads are pleased the casualties will be safe from the constant threat of the enemy bombers.

  Just after the evening meal the Sergeant sorts me out.

  “Come on Scouse I need a hand.” He rounds up a few other lads and set too implementing his plan. We load my cart up with dirty dressings, straw from the stack, petrol cans from the motor pool and head towards an open field well away from the station. As we push the cart he explains.

  “We have established a telephone link with a listening post at the front line. This straw and bandages will be soaked in petrol, and we’ll set them out around this field. When we get warning of enemy planes approaching we’ll light the flares to attract them then get to Hell out of here. With a bit of luck the bastards will waste their bloody bombs digging holes for our mate Scouse here, might only work once, but worth a try eh? What do you think lads?” We whoop our approval.

  Darkness falls as we work out a roster for plane watch duties.

  The next day two of us erect a tent in the adjoining meadow fitted with a field telephone giving a direct link to the front line observation post.

  I draw the third night on the roster with orders from the Sergeant.

  “Get some sleep if you can lads, but when you get a telephone warning or hear the planes overhead flash up the fires, for Jesus sake please do not hang around.”

  We try a few dummy runs timed by the Sergeant, when he decided we are far enough away from the target zone we dig a good solid bunker supported by thick trunks and roofed over with steel plate.

  My first night on watch I hardly slept with apprehension, nothing happened except plenty of casualties came into the station due to a particularly heavy enemy bombardment on the front line.

  My mate Dave is rostered on duty at the flares on the second night but he is called out because of the heavy casualties. The distance to the tunnels mean a lot more carrying as the ambulances can’t drive directly to the tunnel opening.

  When I offer to do a swap with him he readily agrees. We had rigged the tent up with a bunk and a Primus stove one of the lads has brought from home.

  I don’t think I will, but sleep does come more easily than I expect due to exhaustion, at three o’clock the ringing phone drags me from a deep sleep. I stagger to my feet not quite sure where I am until the drone of engines startled me into action. I light the slow wick from the hurricane lamp and dash out into the field.

  The planes are getting closer as I race around the field attempting to light the flares. It must be dew or some light rain I have not noticed but the bloody things will not light. At last, after five attempts one catches, and begins flaring up. By then the planes are almost overhead. I begin running for the bunker, but don’t quite make it.

  The first bomb lands with a resounding bang that is it for me. The next thing I know is when I wake up in the tunnel lying in a hospital bed. I think I am dreaming, as looking down on me is a beautiful woman in nurse’s attire. In my confusion I imagine she is holding my hand but it turns out she is only checking my pulse.

  ‘Glad to see you are back with us soldier.’ I can hardly hear what she says, as there is a terrible ringing in my ears. My mouth tastes like I have been eating shit, and my throat is as dry as a desert. I try to speak but only a croak leaves my mouth. She brings me a feeding cup and places the spout between my lips, cool, refreshing water dribbles down my throat.

  Someone close by screams in pain, raising my hand I detect bandages wrapped around my head. I try to sit up, and find my left arm in plaster.

  I panic and test my other limbs thank goodness the rest of me appears to be intact. The screaming begins yet again the nurse places the feeding cup in my right hand and leaves me to my own devices. Billy arrives. “Jeez mate, am I glad to see you awake at last.” I croak. “How long have I been here Bill?” “Let’s see now.” He begins counting on his fingers. “Ten days.”

  He finally informs me. “There have been bloody big changes since you got yourself wounded Scouse.

  The Colonel, the Staff Sergeant, and Sergeant have been moved. The Medical Corp is in charge of the medic side now while some other shits are running the station.” My heart fell. Billy continued with the good and bad news. “Women Nurses have been brought in because the station is considered safer since you found this place. I have been demoted back to private by the shits because I can’t read and write. The farmhouse has been completely destroyed and the whole operation has been moved to the tunnels. Oh, you don’t know do you? They brought some miners in to make an emergency escape exit. They found another even bigger chamber when they were digging. Would you believe what the snobby bastards have gone and done? They have segregated the casualties now. Officers in one cave other ranks in the other. I have been doing your job since you got yourself wounded. I don’t get near the operating theatre anymore, except to clean and shift the bits and pieces.”

  “What’s the new CO and the NCO’s like.”

  “You don’t want to know. My advice to you is put on the agony and stay in here as long as you can. There has been a rumour of another armistice so hang on as long as you can it might be all over when you get out. You wouldn’t know by the number of casualties coming in here in the last few days, there’s more talk of a cease-fire. The old Hun is really laying on the shelling, the lads on the front line reckon the Boche gunners are on piecework.”

  I have to smile at his weak joke despite my injuries. Although my heart lifted slightly at the mention of armistice, until I remembered how many other times when peace was just around the corner.

  The nurse returns and orders Billy out. As he is about to leave he gives me another devastating piece of information.

  “They put your mate Sandy back on duty as a stretcher bearer.”

  He adds glumly. “He has been missing for a week. I am sorry to break the bad news to you Scouse, but you may as well know from me. Got to go matey I’ll see you as soon as I can.”

  Chapter eighteen

  The new regime

  A Doctor visited on his rounds next day and examines me. “You’ve been a lucky lad haven’t you?” I didn’t think so myself. I suppose it could have been worse. “Been in and out of a coma for
ten days Sister?” He asks his attending nurse. She confirms his facts. “How’s the arm lad?” I remember Billy’s advice. “Still painful Sir and I am weak as a kitten.” I feel like I am all skin and bones. He replies with a chuckle “It’s only what is to be expected lad you’ve had no proper food for over a week. Feed him up Sister, give him lots of beef tea that’ll put him right. I think we will have this head bandage off today Sister.” He examines his notes. “I see you are a member of the Staff here? We won’t transfer him to hospital Sister. I reckon he’ll be better with his mates around him. Put him on light duties around here, and we will review him when he has that arm plaster off.” He turns on his heel and leaves. Just my luck, another chance to see Denise and the lousy doctor confines me here. “My God.” As I look around the once wonderful place I discovered it is now an awful place, full of pain and misery. The appalling smells of medication gangrene and shit around the place make me gag. After a few days I resume duties staggering around, emptying piss and shit, and fetching and carrying for all and sundry. In fact I am a general dog’s body for everyone. As I grow stronger the light duties become a joke. I am treated like a slave by the nurses and Doctors who seem to be immune to pain and suffering, especially mine. Any of the shitty jobs that need’s doing the order goes out. ‘Get Scouse.’

  I am relieved to get away when my plaster is removed enabling me to get out of their clutches. Even the prospect of facing the conditions Billy described are definitely preferable to remaining in the underground hospital.

  I am soon proved wrong, out of the frying pan into the fire, will I never learn? The wonderful times we had serving under the previous commanding Officer and NCO’s are gone. Parades, inspections, bullshit, plus guard duties have all been introduced on a grand scale.

  I try to get my old job back, but the new Sergeant won’t even consider it.

  “I tell you horrible little men where you work.” That is his response to my request when I eventually get to see him. Even though Billy is willing to relinquish my former job he is having none of it. The CO and the Adjutant are absolute pricks according to everyone I speak to there seems no point in appealing to them. Toot enlightens me on what has happened while I lay in a coma completely out of the game. Our decent CO has been transferred to the Chateau so-called rest camp, to sort it out, and some of the permanent staff from the Chateau have been drafted to our station as replacements. “They were not a bit amused at their new posting, I can tell you. It was all the doing of that bloody MP fella you and Sandy were so friendly with.” Toot speaks with a touch of cynicism. So that is the reason for the changes. I’m sure it was done with the best of intentions, and for the right reasons, but we are definitely the losers in the deal.