“They are still the local army unit,” Stephen said.
Mrs Hopkins nodded and bit her lip, then said, “Dad was the battalion Intelligence Officer. On the morning of the Nineteenth of June Nineteen Forty One he was telephoned at home by the army. They said he was needed for a few days, that’s what he told Mum.”
Tom looked puzzled. “But, but don’t soldiers live in camps or barracks during a war?” he asked.
Mrs Hopkins shook her head. “The militia were part-time volunteers and they hadn’t been called out for full-time service at that stage,” she explained. “That only happened later when the Japanese joined in the war. Anyway, dad was called in to the army depot so he packed his kit and was picked up by an army car. That is my last memory of him, kissing Mum at the front gate and getting into that brown painted car. We never saw him again.”
There was a silence and Stephen saw a tear trickle from Mrs Hopkins’s eye. She dabbed at it and went on. “Percy Bellamy was his name. Lieutenant Percy Bellamy. I was Vera Bellamy then of course and just a little widget with pig tails.”
“What happened Mrs Hopkins?” Stephen asked.
“He went to the army depot and was told to investigate a report of a plane crash somewhere in the mountains. He went off with a man named Doug Ferris as his driver, Private Doug Ferris. He worked at the Hambeldon Sugar Mill as a chemist. They were never seen again.”
“But that happened?” Stephen asked. He was feeling quite affected by the old lady’s emotions, while being gripped by a powerful sense of something he could not name.
Mrs Hopkins shook her head. “We don’t know. Nobody knows!” she cried. She was visibly upset again. “The army couldn’t tell us. They sent out search parties and then they posted him as missing. There were some awful rumours about him having murdered Doug Ferris, or of Doug Ferris murdering him and clearing out. My father! Clearing out! He loved my Mum very much and he doted on me! He would not have run away, not while he had life in his body. They.... they. posted him as a Deserter! My father! A.....”
Her voice broke and tears streamed down her face. Both Mrs Downey and Stephen’s mother moved to comfort her. The young girls looked very weepy as well and Tom Downey looked very strained and even redder in complexion. Mrs Downey said, “Take a rest Mum. It’s been a long day. You are overtired.”
At that Mrs Hopkins rallied. She shook her head and dried her eyes. She looked hard at Stephen. “You have no idea how that has burned over the years! The shame! My Dad, a deserter during the war! Every Anzac Day at school I used to wish I was dead. I was so ashamed.”
Stephen was embarrassed too as the old lady bared her soul and he could see that Tom was also blushing, his face very drawn. Mrs Hopkins went on, “It was a terrible time for Mum. There were three of us kids and now she had no man to earn a crust. And the army were no help. No money or compensation from them, not for Deserter’s dependants! We tried to find out the details- or at least Mum did. This is all second hand you realize. She only told me years later when I was about to get married.”
She went on, “It was awful. People ignored her in the street and spoke behind their hands. I only knew she was unhappy and that her friends were being nasty for some reason. We had to leave Cairns and went south to Mum’s people. They had a farm near Bendigo in Victoria. I grew up there and when I was twenty I met a dashing young man named Eric Hopkins and married him. He was a salesman for ‘Sunbeam’ Agricultural Machinery and we had a very happy marriage.”
At that she gave a wistful smile and wiped away some more tears. “He died two years ago and I know the kids really miss Grandad.”
At that the little girls both burst into sobs and even Tom’s eyes watered. Stephen felt very uncomfortable with all this raw emotion but his mind was racing, gripped by the drama.
Mrs Hopkins steadied herself. “Ah it was a good life. Eric was a wonderful man, but he had a very full life too. We had four lovely children. May here is my youngest. The others are all long-married and gone out into the world too.”
Mrs Hopkins smiled at her daughter and they all felt a bit better. Mrs Hopkins then went on, “But all the time it niggled at me; what happened to my Dad? I just could not accept that he had run away. I still can’t. Mum was sure something awful had happened but not knowing was the worst. It broke Mum finally. She confided to me once that she had a terrible fear that Dad had actually rejected her as a wife and run off with another woman. It really gnawed at her. Her health broke when she was only in her forties and she died a few years later.”
It was a really sad story and Stephen felt his own eyes watering. He was also very conscious that he was sitting there in an army uniform while they were discussing a man who had been posted as a Deserter.
Mrs Hopkins went on, “I hadn’t thought much about all this for many years when all of a sudden I saw this wrecked German aeroplane on the news and they said it had crashed in the mountains near Cairns during the Second World War. Well! I was struck speechless for a while, then I wondered- Dad was sent to investigate a report of a plane crash. Was this the one? Once that idea got into my head I just had to know, so here we are.”
Stephen was amazed. “You came all this way just on a hunch!” he cried. “It must have cost you a fortune.”
“Oh, just the usual air fares,” Mrs Downey replied, “and your mother offering to put us up here has saved us a packet in accommodation.”
At that Stephen had to control his face. ‘Mum would,’ he thought. He glanced at the little girls and Tom and wondered where they were all going to sleep. ‘I can see what is coming next,’ he decided. ‘I’ll be sharing with Tom.’ He said, “What about the kids schooling?”
“That’s what I said,” Mrs Downey replied, looking fondly at her mother. “But no, she insisted on coming and I couldn’t let her come on her own. Then Tom wanted to come and I could see it really mattered to him, so then I left Cecil to look after himself and we all came.”
“Is Cecil your husband?” Stephen’s mother asked her.
“Yes, he’s a property valuer,” Mrs Downey replied.
“But how can we help?” Stephen asked.
“I don’t know,” Mrs Hopkins replied. “I told you I was clutching at straws. I just hoped something might turn up.”
“It was a long time ago,” Stephen’s father said.
“Oh don’t I know!” Mrs Hopkins replied with a sigh. “I’ve had to live through it all, and life doesn’t get better with age. No, I had the thought that maybe someone might know something.”
“But who?” Stephen asked.
“I don’t know. I hoped some old soldier might be able to throw a little light on what happened,” Mrs Hopkins replied.
Stephen’s mother frowned and bit her lip. “Oh dear! That might be a bit difficult,” she said. “I mean, they must all be very old now, in their seventies or eighties, if they are still alive.”
Stephen did a quick sum and added, “Eighties or nineties Mum.”
“Oh yes. My! Doesn’t time fly when you are having fun!”
Stephen’s father looked thoughtful. “There might be a couple of old diggers still alive,” he said, “But contacting them might be difficult.”
At that Stephen had an idea. “I will ask Capt Conkey Dad. He is a war veteran and might be able to help.”
“Good idea,” his father said. “Don’t they have organizations for veterans?”
“There’s the RSL,” Stephen’s mother agreed.
Stephen nodded. “Capt Conkey is a member of that, but they have unit associations too. There is a Fifty First Battalion Association. They might be able to help. I could find out.”
The look of hope which crossed Mrs Hopkins’ face caused Stephen a real surge of happiness, followed by anxiety. ‘I hope we don’t build the poor old lady’s hopes up too much,’ he thought. “I can phone him now if you like,” he added.
“Oh Stephen, it’s a bit late,” his mother said.
“It’s only seven thirty Mum, and I ha
ven’t even had tea yet,” he replied, aware that his stomach was starting to grumble.
“Oh dear, nor have any of us. We had better get organized then,” Stephen’s mother replied. She stood up and began to arrange who was going to sleep where and sent Stephen’s father out to buy some ‘takeaway’ food. Stephen sat and watched, not at all happy, particularly when he heard his mother tell Tom that he could share with Stephen.
‘Bloody hell!’ he thought, ‘This mob just arrive on the doorstep and I have to share my room with this dork.’ But he had to admit the two young girls were having an adventure and their excitement was infectious.
Stephen’s mother and Mrs Downey moved the children and luggage along the hallway and into the spare bedroom and into Stephen’s. While they did this Stephen handed Mrs Hopkins the papers and photos he had. She thanked him, settled her reading glasses on her nose and leaned herself closer to the table lamp.
While she read the papers Stephen went to the phone and called Capt Conkey. He had only just arrived home from cadets and was having his tea so his wife was a bit cross with Stephen. “I can call back,” he offered.
“No, it’s alright,” she said, handing over the handpiece with mutterings about ‘bloody cadets, mumble mumble’.
Capt Conkey answered cheerfully enough, though his voice sounded a bit anxious. “Yes Stephen, what is it?”
“It’s not about cadets sir. It’s just something really interesting about the German plane we found. There’s a lady here who needs some help and I thought you might be able to.”
The tone of Capt Conkey’s voice changed and he said, “Needs help? Tell me more.”
Stephen gave him the story as he understood it and then asked, “Would you be able to help her locate any old World War Two veterans who were in the Fifty First Battalion back then sir?”
“I should be able to,” Capt Conkey replied. “I’m in the Fifty First Association. I was a sergeant in the battalion when I was young, I mean younger. I will ring Frank Tapnell. He’s the Secretary and will have a current roll of members. I will also put out a few feelers at the RSL. I will get back to you if I have any luck.”
“Thanks very much sir,” Stephen replied. He put down the phone and passed this news on to Mrs Hopkins. Her gratitude for his efforts made him glow inside and fuelled his determination to help.
He then went through to his room and found Tom sitting there on his chair. On the floor beside his bed was a mattress. “Who gets that?” he asked, nudging it with his boot.
“Oh I’ll sleep on the floor,” Tom replied. “Look, I’m sorry we have lumbered ourselves on you. But your Mum offered and my Mum couldn’t say no.”
“That’s OK,” Stephen replied, although he strongly resented the invasion of his private space.
“Is that an army uniform?” Tom asked.
“Yeah, I’m in the army cadets. Our school has a unit,” Stephen replied. In his mind he thought it was a pretty dumb question.
The two boys then talked about their respective schools while they waited. Stephen sat on his bed and wondered how to keep all his private treasures secret. ‘I’ll have to wait till no-one is looking and then hide them somewhere else,’ he thought, his mind roving over the photos of nude girls, old love letters, diaries, books and odd items he had stashed away.
The noise and giggling from across the hallway diverted them. Stephen went and looked in. His mother had placed a big mattress on the floor and that was for Mrs Downey and the two girls. Mrs Hopkins was to have the bed.
Tea followed, then a lot of confusion as everyone tried to use the toilet and bathroom and get organized for bed. By then Mrs Hopkins had read the papers and was sitting looking very thoughtful. Later, when Stephen went to clean his teeth and he met Mrs Downey coming out he managed to say what was on the top of his mind.
“Mrs Downey, I don’t want your Mum to get hurt. It’s just that.... well... it’s just that I don’t think we will find your grandfather alive.”
Mrs Downey nodded. “I don’t think she expects to Stephen. But it will be a real comfort to her to at least know what happened. Not knowing is the worst.”
Stephen felt better then. He went in to brush his teeth. While he was doing that the telephone rang. Stephen heard his father answer it and say, “Oh yes Capt Conkey. Thank you for calling. No, it’s not too late. Like bloody Bedlam here at the moment anyway. What’s that you say?”
As quickly as he could Stephen finished brushing his teeth and hurried out. His father had put the phone down by then. He said, “Capt Conkey has located a retired officer who might be able to help. His name is Major Barnes and he was in the Fifty First Battalion in Nineteen Forty One. We will be able to visit him tomorrow.”
“Can I come too please?” Stephen asked.
“What about school?” his mother asked.
“Tom’s missing school,” Stephen replied, “and anyway, it’s my plane crash.”
At that Tom said, “Would we be able to go and look at this plane crash?” He had been looking at the photos.
“If you don’t mind climbing a whopping great mountain,” Stephen replied.
“I’d like to,” Tom agreed.
Stephen glanced at his mother. She nodded. “Yes, that would be nice.”
“Oh Mum!” Stephen cried in exasperation. “Yesterday you said we couldn’t go because I was too tired, now I’m being ordered to go!”
“You are not being ordered to go,” his mother replied. “Anyhow, things have changed. This is important.”
“You don’t have to go,” His father added. “We can get Graham and Peter to act as guides.”
Stephen could only snort at that. The girls then asked if they could climb the mountain too. Stephen’s mother shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. It’s a very big mountain and all covered with jungle full of leeches and things. But you could drive to the bottom and look at it.”
At the mention of leeches the girls squealed and squirmed but accepted the idea.
Stephen said, “We will need a permit to drive there Mum. The Black Mountain Road is a closed road.”
“We will apply for one tomorrow,” his mother replied. She had obviously set herself to do her utmost to help Mrs Hopkins and that suited Stephen. It fitted nicely into his own desire to learn what the German plane had been up to. He accepted a cup of hot Milo off Mrs Downey and sat on the carpet to sip it while the conversation revolved around the plane wreck and life in Victoria. Apparently it was very hot and the bushfires were still bad.
Then it was bedtime. Stephen found it both embarrassing and awkward to share his room. Wearing pyjamas in front of a stranger was the worst part. Tom looked even dorkier in his pyjamas, he thought. Having said goodnight Stephen lay down and tried to sleep. But try as he might sleep would not come. His mind went round and round with ideas and speculation about what had happened to Mrs Hopkins’ father and whether it had any connection with the German plane or not.
‘Hopefully this Major Barnes can throw some light on the situation,’ he thought.
CHAPTER 14
DIFFICULTIES
Morning brought a host of minor annoyances. To begin with Stephen woke up aroused as usual. That made it awkward getting up and dressed with Tom in the room. Feeling more than a little peeved Stephen managed to collect new clothes from his cupboard (once Tom had moved out of the way of the doors). He then took himself to the bathroom to change, only to find it was occupied by Mrs Downey.
It was like that right through breakfast and the preparations for the day; people getting in each others way or using the facilities when he wanted to. Then there was the debate over what he should be doing during the day. His mother thought he should be at school. As both his mother and father were teachers and would be working till 3:30 Mrs Downey suggested that no investigations be done before then.
“Mum is very tired after her trip yesterday anyway,” she added.
Mrs Hopkins did indeed look quite drained and nodded. “I
might have a good sleep while you show the young ones around the town,” she suggested.
“We will hire a car for the day,” Mrs Downey added, “if you can give us a lift to a car hire place.”
Naturally Stephen’s mother and father both agreed. It was then arranged that Stephen would be dropped at school by his father. “We will pick you up at 3:30 and you can then come with us when we go to visit this Major Barnes.”
Stephen was happy with that. “Can I tell Graham and Peter about Mrs Hopkins and her father?” he asked.
“I don’t see why not,” his mother replied. Mrs Hopkins nodded agreement. So Stephen made sure he had the papers and photos with him in his schoolbag when he left for school.
As soon as he got to school he went to the Library and photocopied the papers and photos and put them in a folder for Mrs Hopkins. Next he went to see Capt Conkey. Capt Conkey asked for a few more details of Mrs Hopkins’ story and added that he would ask at the RSL after school and ring through any new information.
Stephen then joined his friends, who were seated in their usual spot. With them were Andrew, Blake, Willy and Marjorie. As soon as he sat down Stephen told them of the fact of Mrs Hopkins’ father being sent to look for a plane crash in the mountains the day after the Arado might have been launched from the Kondor. “It is too unusual just to be coincidence,” he concluded
“You are right there,” Peter agreed. “It is a remarkable situation.”
“He will be dead,” Graham said.
“Who?”
“This Lieutenant Bellamy,” Graham replied.
Willy snorted. “From bloody old age if nothing else!” he agreed.
“No,” Graham replied. “The Germans will have killed him.”
Secret in the Clouds Page 13