We both nodded. "I see the Germans raided here, did you and the other lads suffer Sergeant?"
"Not in the raid but…" He sat down, "You might as well know; Lieutenant Cole went over on your MTB and they went after the other gun. They found a minefield. Only two got back to the boat and the MTB was jumped in the Channel. The only survivors were your mate Bill Leslie and Lieutenant Herd. The Captain has gone to the depot to pick up the replacement Commandos. He'll be glad to see you two back. And when you turn up tomorrow you will see that half of the meeting hall has been blown up. There is still part of the roof left but I am afraid it all looks like it will fall down when the winter winds blow."
"I know Sergeant I saw the damage but in the dark I couldn't see how severe it was."
"Well we might well be homeless again!" He shook his head and then smiled, "Can I buy you lads a pint?"
"Yes Sergeant."
I enjoyed the evening. We chatted away to the Sergeant who now regarded us as veterans. We had come through much together and the bonds that were there were like those of a family. The losses just made us value the ones who still lived even more. The men of number four squad had trained with us at Oswestry. We had messed with them and we had laughed with them. It was probably just luck which had meant we survived and they did not. The sergeant was rueful. We discovered that the Germans had improved the beach defences; there were now mines and more wire. If we were to go back then it would not be as simple as it had been. Perhaps Hitler now knew he could not invade. Maybe be was shutting the stable door.
Sean awoke us at midnight as he blundered his way into the digs. His train had been held up north of London. The German air raids were now biting. He was also angry for the houses around his home had been destroyed. It was only by the grace of God that his family had been spared. "Bastard Germans! It's all very well killin' soldiers. We know what we are getting into but my ma is sixty!"
There was no point in telling him that we had bombed Germany too. He would not listen.
We reported to the hall with the rest of the squad the next morning. The Captain was not yet back. The hall was no long suitable for the WI but we were used to hardships. Some engineers arrived later that morning to show us how to use pressure switches. It was a way of booby trapping a large structure. The switch was attached to the explosives and when something touched the switch it sent an electrical impulse and the explosive would be detonated. It would be set off by the enemy themselves and meant we had more chance of escaping. We could not have used it on the guns but I knew there would be other structures where it would work perfectly. Lieutenant Reed was in command. Until the captain returned with our replacements then he would be the only officer. He insisted that everyone became competent with them.
"We can't leave it all to Harsker. What if he is down eh? Do we all toddle off home eh?"
We all smiled. He had a tendency to pronounce off as 'orf'. He was posh but he was one of us. We had new explosives too. It was still TNT but this variant could be moulded. We could hide it better. We could do far more damage with our new weapons.
The Captain returned with twenty new men and two new officers two days later. He came with a grim face. "The Germans bombed East London the other day. Over four hundred people died and fifteen hundred were injured." Those who had had no leave and were Londoners showed their anxiety. I was grateful, again, for the relative safety of my own family. Captain Foster also had some surprising news for us. "We will be moving out of Harwich, albeit temporarily. This structure has been deemed unsafe. We will be moving south, closer to Clacton. There is a manor house there and the owner, who has gone to Canada for the duration, has loaned it to the Army. We have it for the duration. I have acquired four lorries too. Get your stuff from your digs and be back here in an hour. We will be moving to our new home then."
Inevitably Sean grumbled, "I like our digs. I bet there is no pub close to this manor house."
"I am guessing that might be part of the reasoning Sean. Take away a distraction."
"That's your trouble Tom; you don't have the thirst a Scotsman has!"
I smiled to myself when I saw the manor house. The officers and the sergeants would be comfortable but we would either have to be under canvas or in the rather dilapidated barn. As our lorry was the first to reach our new base Daddy and I decided to claim the barn. It would accommodate almost forty men but only twenty or so would have the shelter of a roof and two walls. We staked the best corner of it. We quickly organised it so that when the next lorries arrived we had our blankets laid out, kit bags stored and boundaries erected. Sean stood belligerently glowering at the other Commandos who looked enviously at it.
We were still supposed to fend for ourselves and so we set up our own kitchen. There was enough wood and trees around for fuel. Our only problem was getting food to cook. The manor house was close to a tiny village which had no shops. The nearest place was Clacton and that was almost deserted since the war had begun. It was a problem we would have to overcome.
One advantage we had was that we no longer had the ladies of the Women's Institute to worry about. Captain Foster gathered us together. Reg Dean had a big box and a grin on his face.
"Right lads gather around, Major Foster has some information to give out!"
Those of us who had been with Major Foster for some time gave a cheer. His promotion was good news. "Settle down! You don’t want to incur the wrath of your new Sergeant Major do you?" Again we cheered. Another promotion. We must have done something right.
Major Foster indulged us. "It seems we have done well. This part of Number Four Commando has a good reputation. The Sergeant Major will hand out your new green berets and your new shoulder insignia. You can sew them on later." He waved forward our two new Lieutenants. "This is Lieutenant Holmes and Lieutenant Fletcher. We now have four officers and with the replacements we are up to our complement of eighty. However we have lost non commissioned officers. Private Grant you are hereby promoted to Sergeant and Private Harsker to Corporal."
I was somewhat embarrassed at the cheers and applause I received. Although flattered I suddenly realised it would mean moving from my section. I wondered if I could refuse.
The Major continued, "I want to spend the next three days training. The new men and newly promoted officers will need to get to know their sections. Reveille will be at six in the morning. Until then get to know your surroundings and your new billets. We will be here for some time."
Sean and Percy almost knocked me over with their slaps on the back. "Bloody hell, you are going to give me orders! Who'd have believed it?"
"Sorry to disappoint you Sean but you already have a Corporal. I guess Daddy and I will be going with the new lads."
Sean's face fell, "But we are oppos!"
Daddy said, "We have to follow orders. They couldn't leave us with you lads. Too much familiarity. You will have to get yourself promoted."
Sergeant Major Dean waved us over. "I knew about this when we were in the pub the other day but I couldn't tell you. I think you are both sound appointments. You will take over the new lads in number eight squad." He handed us our new stripes.
Daddy nodded, "Do we need to know anything about any of them?"
He shook his head, "The Major handpicked them. They'll be sound as a pound believe you me."
"You two had better get your stuff in the manor house."
"Could we spend the last night with the lads, Sergeant Major?"
He smiled, "You know for a posh bloke you have some funny ways. Aye, course you can. But tomorrow you make that leap and you can never go back." He nodded to me, "Your dad knew that."
"I know, Sergeant Major."
We were ribbed, in a good natured fashion, by the rest of the section. I knew they were pleased for us but, equally a little sad at our departure. As Percy said, "With Dick's replacement and you two that means we have three new lads to break in."
Marty Murphy said, "Now I know why they had us all learning how to lay charges!"<
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I found it hard to sleep and I was awake by five. I silently packed my kitbag and took it to the manor. I carefully sewed my new badge and my stripes on to my battledress. I made sure that I was well presented. I was a corporal; Daddy, Sergeant Grant, and I had to set a standard for the others. I went back and made a pot of tea for Sean and the rest of the section. I buttered the shared loaf we had and spread it with the last of the home made jam mum had given to me. Daddy and I would have to get our new section organised. I wondered if the promotion was a poisoned chalice. Would I have been better off remaining a private?
Daddy was up before reveille too and he joined me with his mug. "Nice touch," he paused, "Corporal."
I smiled, "Thanks, Sergeant. This will take some getting used to."
"You will manage." We ate our share of the sandwiches and left the huge pile for the others.
We waited outside the manor house until the bugler came out and sounded reveille. Sergeant Major Dean nodded as he came out, "First things first; now that I am Sergeant Major we have a headquarters section. That should make it easier for all of us. This morning we take everyone on a ten mile run. Push them; they are new lads and we want to see when they break." He handed Daddy a map. "This is the route we are taking. We leave with a five minute gap between each section. The route is flat and it should not be too taxing." He leaned in, "Between the three of us I think we will be having another raid soon. The loss of the last one left a bad taste in the Major's mouth. So let's get the lads to a fighting peak again eh?"
We stood with arms behind our backs and legs spread as the troop assembled. Sergeant Major Dean roared, "Attention!"
Major Foster had his new insignia sewn on too. "This morning we will have a little run to warm us up. Hand to hand combat when we get back and then explosives training. We have some Engineers coming this morning to set something up for us. Sergeant Major Dean!"
"Number One Squad! Go!"
We knew that we had thirty five minutes before we went off. We marched to our section. Daddy looked them up and down. "I am Sergeant Grant and this is Corporal Harsker. For the moment that is all you need to know about us. We will find out your names when we get back. If you are clever then you will work out that the Major wants to know how good you are. If you are not clever then you are in for a rude awakening and soon. I will be leading this run. If anyone falls behind then Corporal Harsker here will have some interesting punishments lined up for you. Don't fall behind. Nor will you overtake me. Do not let these grey hairs fool you! I have earned every one of them!"
We turned as Sergeant Johnson led our old section out. The new boys stood out like sore thumbs. One ran next to Sean. My old oppo would not like that! We were the last squad to leave. At least we could not be overtaken. The section all looked the same to me. I couldn't have differentiated between any of them. We were all carrying our Bergens and Thompson machine guns. We all wore our helmets. Normally we would wear just comforters but the Major was making a point. Daddy set off at a steady pace. He was a good runner and I knew that he was letting them relax into the run before he increased the pace.
I saw that one of the lads in front of me was out of step. We were not marching but running was better if you were in time with the others. "Keep the same pace eh lads. Look at the ones in front."
"Sorry Corp."
"Don't worry, you will learn." I had discussed, with Daddy, what he wanted to do. I watched the eight men before me. "They are ready Sergeant!"
He began to lengthen his stride. It was the easiest way to increase pace. I saw a couple of them as they struggled. "Open your legs and stride further." Soon we were all running just that little bit faster and I saw, ahead, Sergeant Ramsden's section. We were gaining on them. "Just keep the same pace lads and you will be fine."
Now that they were running faster they found it easier. As soon as we began to overtake the next section number seven squad tried to respond. They got into a tangle and two stumbled. I heard Corporal Harris shout, "You dozy buggers!"
Then we had passed them. I nodded to Sergeant Ramsden as we overtook them. He did not look happy. We were not on an out and back route. It was a circular. The flat ground meant it was hard to see beyond the next section. Soon, however, we began to catch them. Daddy raised his arm and I said, "Watch for the increase in pace." He dropped it and began to run faster. "Here we go again!"
This time we could not lengthen our stride anymore and we had to run a little faster. Daddy and I knew that there was no way we could make up thirty five minutes but we hoped to improve our position as much as possible. The two new lieutenants were running with Sergeant Major Dean and the Headquarters squad just behind number four section. They were our target.
We powered along the slightly downhill section and caught number six section unawares. We were now travelling as fast as was comfortable. We were like my dad's Alvis. The only gear left was top gear and that would have to wait until we were within sight of the camp before we used it.
I glanced at my watch. By my reckoning we had run four of the ten miles. Number five squad was struggling ahead of us. They too had a couple of new men and I saw that they were not running evenly. As we reached the half way mark we overtook them. Ahead I could see Sergeant Dean and the officers. He would not be caught quite so easily. I could feel my chest aching and my shoulders were feeling the Bergen and the gun. Our new men would be finding it even harder and they all went up in my estimation for none of them had complained.
It was harder to reel in the officers and the Sergeant Major. We were gaining but it was not as obvious. I saw a couple of heads droop a little. "Come on lads, we are more than half way home and won't it be a good feeling to beat the Sergeant Major, not to mention the officers."
I began to sing:
Kiss me goodnight, Sergeant-Major
Tuck me in my little wooden bed
We all love you, Sergeant-Major,
When we hear you bawling, "Show a leg!"
Don't forget to wake me in the morning
And bring me 'round a nice hot cup of tea
Kiss me goodnight Sergeant-Major
Sergeant-Major, be a mother to me
Kiss me goodnight, Sergeant-Major
Tuck me in my little wooden bed
We all love you, Sergeant-Major
Even when your neck grows rather red
Don't forget to wake me in the morning
And bring me 'round a nice hot cup of tea
Kiss me goodnight, Sergeant-Major
Sergeant-Major, be a mother to me
The rest of the section joined in at the second line. The singing, I soon discovered, helped with my breathing and I noticed that our pace began to pick up along with the rhythm of the song. I saw a sign for the Manor. It was an old wooden one and no one had thought to remove it. It showed that we had one mile to go and our target was just a hundred yards ahead.
We had finished the song and Daddy shouted, "One more time!" This time, as we sang he increased the pace. We were approaching top gear. I could see the gap diminish step by step. As we overtook them I saw the officers struggling a little. The Major had made them run with the same equipment as we had and they were unused to it. The Sergeant Major could have matched us but he had to keep pace with the officers. I saw the entrance to the manor and number four section had just entered. I saw Sergeant Johnson and our old section. They were cheering and clapping us. We found extra speed in our legs when the applause started and we sailed through the entrance.
Daddy stopped and turned to face the section. He winked at me, "And next time we beat them all back!"
To our combined delight they all chorused, somewhat out of breath, "Yes Sergeant!"
Chapter 20
Our success was not done to show we were better than the rest but to make the new men feel part of the team. We had worked together and, as a result, had had success. Dad had told me that in the dark days of the Great War when he and his fellow pilots had been suffering from the Fokker Scourge o
f the Fokker monoplane even though they had been flying an inferior and slower aeroplane they had prevailed. They had done so because they had not fought as individuals but as a team. The fact that dad shot down more German aeroplanes than anyone else was irrelevant. He would not have shot them down without the others and they all knew it.
After we had spent an hour or so with them, getting to know them, showing them the ropes about the new style camp life we left them and went to meet our new team, the officers, sergeants and corporals. The nod from Sean as we left the barn told us that our old section would keep an eye on the new lads. All of the beds in the manor house had been commandeered already, as had the bedrooms. That did not bother Daddy and me. There was a sitting room in the back of the house. We took the four cushions from the sofa and the armchair and made two beds which were as comfortable as a bed.
We discovered that there was a more formal cooking arrangement here than in our sections. We saw that it was our duty to wash and dry the pans after the meal. As with the section every man looked after his own mess tin and mug; even the officers. Here there were no servants as dad had had in the Great War. There was no John to keep Major Foster looking smart. That was his own responsibility. The handful of officers ate in what had been the dining room. We ate in a crowded kitchen. It reminded me of the 'Big House' in Burscough. Auntie Sarah had given me a tour once. There the servants had their own hierarchy she as housekeeper, and Cedric, her husband, had been the senior servants and the others had deferred to them. Here it was the same and Reg Dean and Jack Johnson, as the longest serving non coms, were in charge.
We were made to feel welcome. "In here, lads, we are all the same, no rank." Reg waved his knife around, "Out there we keep the ranks. It is how we maintain discipline. We are a smaller team than in the regular army." He nodded towards Daddy and me. "You two will know that more than most." He put a forkful of food in his mouth and chewed. We all ate in a business like way. The food had little to commend it save that it kept us alive and no more. We ate to live and not the other way around. "You two lads did well today."
Commando Page 21