An hour later we saw a destroyer heading from the east. She changed course to intercept us. Once alongside a young lieutenant came to the scrambling nets and said, "One of the Brylcreem boys said there were three unlikely sailors who needed a lift. Care to join us?"
We clambered aboard an already packed destroyer bringing back the BEF. We had made it. We would get home.
Part 3
Commando
Chapter 12
Corporal Higgins was the only one of us afforded any space on the grossly overcrowded warship's deck. The doctor cleared space and we joined the upright brown herd; the survivors of the disaster of France. We saw many regiments on the decks but not our own. Willy cadged a cigarette from a matelot and, once the familiar tobacco was in his lungs he smiled and began to ask questions. "How's it been going then?"
A soldier from the West Yorkshires asked, "Where have you lads been then? The far side of the moon?"
I shook my head. "We were with the rear guard. We were cut off on the 16th. We had a long journey to get here."
The soldier nodded. He pointed to the fishing boat now being riddled with machine guns to make it sink. "I can see you have had an interesting time. One of the crew said the captain was diverted to pick you up. Something about a Spitfire?"
"Aye, a 109 tried to sink us and the Spit sorted him out. So is it bad then?"
"Bad? It's a cock up. Every gun we had has been left. We held them for about an hour when the tanks slowed them down but there were less than twenty and the Germans just pounded them into scrap when they brought their 88s into action." He gestured with his thumb. "We left hundreds of thousands of lads on the beaches. I hope the Navy and the fly boys are up to it because there will be bugger all of us left if they don't get the rest off soon. It was a shambles. There were blokes wandering all over looking for someone to take charge. There was no one."
I watched the white cliffs draw closer and Corporal Higgins joined us. He gave five cigarettes to Willy. "Here the orderly gave me these."
"Cheers Corp."
He turned to me, "A disaster eh?"
"Aye the lads were just telling me that the army is finished."
The Corporal threw an angry look at the Yorkshireman, "Some people need to keep their gobs shut! Listen lads we have taken a licking. This is round one. You don't throw the towel in when you get knocked out at the start of a fight. You get up and work out how to come out and beat the bloke who smacked you one. I was a boxer when I was younger and I fought plenty of blokes who punched heavier than me. You just use your strengths."
The Yorkshireman snorted, "What strengths?"
"The fact that we are English and the best soldiers in the world." He seemed to notice that the man came from Yorkshire, "And in Lancashire we have a backbone as well as a pair of balls!"
The Yorkshireman was big and he balled his fists. Willy and I stepped between him and the Corporal. I said quietly, "He's just been given medication so back off."
The Yorkshireman said, "When he takes back what he said then…"
I put my face in his. I was as tall as he was though not as wide. "Then how about this, back off or I'll throw you over the side."
I wondered if this would start a fight but he must have seen something in my eyes for he stepped back a little. "You're not worth the effort."
The three of us remained huddled together. We had been to hell and back. We were now comrades. I understood, for the first time, the bond between my dad and my 'uncles'. This was something closer than family. The three of us had been in each other's hands for so long that we had become one.
Disembarkation gave me hope. Volunteers stood at the quayside with blankets, mugs of tea and cigarettes. I took some even though I didn't smoke. I would give them to Willy and the Corporal. The Yorkshireman had said there was no organisation on the other side of the Channel. Here there was. It looked chaotic but it was not. The Corporal was whisked away by a couple of orderlies with the other wounded. He shouted over his shoulder as he was put in the ambulance. "Harsker, you are in charge now!"
We waved to him. I never saw him again after that day. I have no idea what happened to him but he would always be part of me. As would Nev and all the other lads we had left behind. A sergeant with a clipboard snapped, "What unit?"
"1st Loyal Lancashire, sergeant."
He looked up. "You are the first of your lot." He pointed to a row of tables lined up along the quayside. "Go to the end table and the bloke doing bugger all. Tell him your story. He will issue you travel warrants."
We walked past long lines of men who were lined up at the tables. I deduced that each line represented a regiment or unit. The private at the end looked up, "New lads eh? I am guessing that you are the first of your regiment to land." We nodded, "Name and rank." We spent fifteen minutes giving him all the information we had. He wrote it all down. At one point he looked up and said, apologetically, "Sorry about this but the first ones always get this. When the rest of your lot get in they won't have as long."
"We were the rear guard."
He looked genuinely sorry, "I am sorry about that."
Willy said, "They'll get back, don't you worry!"
"Of course they will." He handed us a travel warrant each. "The odds and sods are all being sent to Shoreditch. I am sorry but that area might be a bit crowded. Most battalions are being sent to their own barracks. When your lot arrive you'll be heading north again."
We boarded a crowded train and headed for London. For Willy this would be a novel experience. He had never seen the capital. He was full of questions. "Do you reckon we'll see the King?"
I laughed, "I doubt it Willy. Shoreditch is miles away from Buckingham Palace."
I knew that there had been a barracks at Shoreditch. I guessed that they would be hard pressed to accommodate all those who had been rescued. It was late afternoon when we reached the barracks. For the first time since we had been rescued we had space. There were the remnants of a dozen battalions. This time we were interviewed by an officer from Intelligence who asked us much more searching questions. When he had finished he said, "You were lucky. Those tanks you talk about at the crossroads were Guderian's Panzers. They nearly cut off the whole of your battalion."
"What happens now, sir?"
He smiled, "To you?" I nodded as did Willy. "You wait here for the rest of your battalions. The rescue from the beaches can't last much longer. The Germans have them hemmed in pretty badly. When they get here you'll be sent back to you home depot and begin training. Both of you have a great deal of experience now. We have conscription. The lads who join from now on won't have the training that you were given. Anything I can do for you?"
"Well sir, is there a telephone I can use?"
He looked surprised. "A telephone?"
I smiled. The other men I had trained with had been most impressed that we had a telephone in our home, "My father is a Wing Commander, sir and we need a telephone for his job."
"And you signed up as a squaddy? You were keen." I nodded. "You can use this one. I have finished here anyway. Come on Private Holden I will show you where the mess is."
The office was a bare affair. Apart from the table and chairs there was just the telephone. After asking the operator for a line I carefully dialled and realised that my hand was shaking. I heard my mum's voice on the other end. I said, quietly, "Mum, it's Tom."
There was what sounded like a sob and a silence.
"Mum, it's Tom."
"You are safe! Thank God!" Mum had been a nurse and she was the most organized person I knew. Once my voice had sunk in she began to organize. "Where are you?"
"Shoreditch at the barracks there."
"Your dad will want to know. Thank God you are alive. Were you over there? Dunkirk? We heard about the evacuation on the wireless. Are you…"
"I am fine, mum. I came through without a scratch unlike some of the other lads."
"I can imagine what you have been through and I am just pleased that you are alive
."
Just then the call was interrupted by the operator, one of the clerks in the office, "I'm sorry son. We need this line now for an important call." I was cut off. At least mum knew I was alive. I left the office and headed towards the smell of food. I joined the short queue. Willy was seated already and he waved to me indicating that he had saved me a seat.
He had lit up his first cigarette when I joined him. "I was ready for that. Did you get through then?"
"I did."
"It’s a rum do isn't it? I mean our squad was the back end of the battalion and we are the first back."
"I know."
I ate in silence. Willy couldn't keep quiet. "That officer reckoned the likes of us will all get promotions out of this. You know because there will be a bunch of new battalions and they will need experienced soldiers like us."
I had finished and I pushed my plate away and drank some of my tea."Probably." I suddenly remembered the Scouser who had died close to Boulogne. I took the bloodstained letter out of my battledress. "I won't be at minute. I might as well write this letter now while I remember. His mum will be worried."
"Mam."
"What?"
"He called her his mam."
I nodded, "See you in the barracks."
"Aye. I'll have another fag and another cuppa. It's nice having tea with proper milk in it."
The letter took an age to write. How do you tell someone that their son died? It was far harder than I had imagined. It made me think what would the others have written about me if I had fallen.
We both slept well but forgot that we were back in camp. Reveille sounded ridiculously early and we found ourselves back on parade. Until our officers returned we were in the charge of the camp. The Sergeant Major might have served in the Great War and was ready to be put out to pasture but he knew how to bark. After being told to 'shave off that fuzz' and 'get your kit cleaned up! ' We were sent to breakfast.
We went to the Quarter Master's stores and discovered that we could have new uniforms. I guessed the generosity would not last and we gratefully received new issue of everything, including boots. We spent the morning with the back of a spoon and a tin of polish making the boots gleam. After lunch we were heading to the barracks when I was summoned to the guard room.
"What's up Corporal?"
"Dunno son but a bloody big staff car has pulled up and I was told to get you." He glanced down at me and nodded, "Well you look presentable anyway."
He knocked on the door and the duty officer shouted, "Come!"
We both marched in and snapped to attention. I looked up and saw my dad. The duty officer said, "Group Captain Harsker has asked permission to take you off camp for twenty four hours. In the absence of your officers I have seen no reason to deny the request. You are given a twenty hour leave beginning as of now."
I hid my smile. It would be a brave second lieutenant who would challenge a Group Captain. I would ask dad about his promotion as soon as we got in the car. "Thank you sir." I turned to the Corporal, "Could you let Private Holden know that I haven't gone AWOL, Corporal."
He grinned, "Righto Private!"
I saluted and followed dad out to his car. His driver opened the door. It was a little awkward for both Dad and myself. There was a stranger in the car and we had to watch what we said. Dad began. "You look very smart, son. You have turned out well."
"Thanks to John and his lessons, dad. And you. When did you get the promotion?"
"The day war broke out. I would have told you sooner but…."
"But your idiot son went and left University and joined up."
He laughed and I saw, in the mirror, the driver smile. "That's about it. Any regrets?"
"Not a one. They are a fine bunch of lads."
"It was tough though?"
"It was but I have to thank the RAF for being here."
"How's that?"
I told him the story of the escape in the boat and then the rest of the journey to Central London telling him the tale of the ill fated campaign. He nodded, "I knew it was tough. I am just pleased that you have emerged alive." We were approaching Westminster Bridge. "Now, listen old chap. I have a meeting at the Ministry." He looked at his watch. "It is nearly eleven now. It should be over by three. I thought you might like Jenkins here to take you around London."
"No thanks. I thought I would pop along and see John. His hotel is just off Piccadilly. I shall get out when Jenkins here drops you off and meet you later."
"Are you sure?"
"Certain," I smiled, "there is a war on you know. Can't have petrol being wasted eh, dad?"
"Good lad. We'll have dinner at my club. I have rooms nearby."
We reached the Air Ministry and I got out. He waved cheerily as he went in and I saluted. I noticed that all the people I saw now carried a khaki bag with their gas mask. We seemed a little more prepared for war and what the Germans might do this time. I knew that John's hotel was just along from the fabulous Mayfair Hotel. He had persuaded Lady Mary to invest some of the little money she had left after death duties, in the hotel. Over the years it had grown in popularity and was now a large part of the income for Lady Mary. It was all down to John and his skills. I hoped that the war would not cause too many problems for either of them.
There was a liveried doorman at the steps. He looked to be a veteran of the Great War for he had only one arm. He saw my uniform and saluted with his good one as I approached. He opened the door for me and I felt immediately guilty. When I walked in I could see John's influence. It was most tastefully decorated. There were none of the garish colours you saw in some hotels which were trying to be fashionable. John's hotel would never be fashionable, it would be timeless. I saw him, behind the desk as I entered. He was speaking to a young lady who looked to be the receptionist. He had a flower in his lapel and was impeccably turned out; I would have expected nothing less.
He glanced up and saw me. His face lit up into a huge smile and he came scurrying around to greet me. Unlike the formality of my father he gave me a hug; much to the surprise of the receptionist. "Dear Tom, how good to see you and how fine you look! What brings you here? Not that you need an excuse to visit with your Uncle John."
"Dad has a meeting at the Ministry and, well, I wanted to see you."
"And I am delighted. Come we will go to the lounge." Over his shoulder he said, "Miss Devine turn your attention to today's bookings and stop admiring this young man."
I glanced over my shoulder and saw her blushing. The lounge had a bar. It was not yet opening time but there was a barman on duty. "David, a pot of coffee and ask the cook for some biscuits. I am certain my guest will be hungry." We sat in two leather lounge chairs. "Well you look well. Your mother wrote to say you had joined up."
"Aren't you disappointed that I am only a private?"
"What nonsense. No wonder your parents were annoyed with you. They did not disagree with your decision but were cross that you acted so hastily without talking to them. That was not the way you were brought up."
I brightened at that. I had thought they were both disappointed in me. I explained my reasons to John who nodded. "Perfectly understandable reasons but had you delayed by a day or two would the outcome have been any different?"
"No."
"There you are then, the impetuosity of youth. Your father was the same. Acted first and thought about it later. Ah here is our coffee."
The barman put the tray down and took the silver coffee pot, cream jug, sugar bowl, china cups and biscuits from it and arranged them on the table. I could see he was aware that John was watching him and he would get it right. He stood upright waiting for instructions. John said, "Thank you, David, but your tie., that will never do. It should be square. We have standards you know."
"Sorry sir."
"Well don't let it happen again." As he went off John sighed, "He is a good fellow but I fear I shall lose him. All the decent chaps are being conscripted, or like you, volunteering." He shook his head and poured the co
ffee. "Now you will enjoy this. Javan beans although with the war I am not certain how much longer we will be able to get them."
"This will be the first coffee I have had in a long time. I am looking forward to it." I sipped the rich black brew. It was, as I had expected, perfect.
"Now what have you been up to? Your mother told me you were training up in Manchester."
"I was with the BEF. I just landed back home yesterday."
He looked genuinely upset. "Oh dear. That must have been a terrible ordeal. I read about the evacuation, the little ships I think they called it. Don't worry. Britain has had dark times before. Mr Churchill will make a difference." We chatted about life in the army and he gave me some sage advice. As noon came and went the bar filled up with drinkers. "Come along. I shall give you a tour." As we reached the door he asked, "Would you like lunch? I am sure I can squeeze you in?"
"No Dad is taking me to his club."
"Do you need a room for the night? I should have asked earlier. How rude of me."
"No, that is fine. Dad has a flat here."
"Your mother and Mary are not here are they?"
"No they are still in the Midlands in our home in the country."
"Good. I would hate to think of your mother being in danger. The Germans will bomb us you know. They did so in the Great War. I know their Kaiser was related to Queen Victoria but they, as a people, do not understand the idea of rules of war. Do you know they sank the Athenia? A passenger ship! It was the Lusitania all over again. We seem determined to make the same mistakes we made a quarter of a century ago. The war to end all wars failed eh?"
I had a lovely two hours being shown around a hotel which showed John's touch all the way through from the tasteful decorations to the obvious affection in which he was held. I left him, at two o'clock feeling more positive about life than I had in some time. With stoics like John it would take a worthier adversary than Hitler to defeat us.
Commando Page 12