Chapter 13 War weary
1918
A request was made asking officers to volunteer men for promotion, for a commission as they called it. Most pre-war officers came from families with military connections, the gentry or the peerage, and a public school education was almost essential. Other men could only reach that level by being ‘commissioned’ based on their performance in the army. The commissioned person went back home for further training. That vision appealed to Jack as he was worn out and needed to get away from the front for a while, so asked his Captain to submit his name.
At first, the Captain voiced agreement but then said, “You and I have run this company for quite a long time now, why not let us see it through; you and I together?” This appeal to comradeship, and the challenge it evoked, brought Jack’s agreement. Soon after, he was called to his billet and to his surprise all the company officers were there, and the Captain presented Jack with a token of their esteem — a gilt-lined solid silver cigarette case inscribed ‘In appreciation for excellent work to J.S.H. 1916-7-8 ‘D’ Coy., 6.K.L.R.’
That appreciation, and the possibility of a commission later, gave Jack renewed vigour and confidence to concentrate on his job.
About a month later Jack wrote in his diary, “The Captain came to me today in high glee, saying he was being posted back to England on substitution for six month’s rest. I was shocked that he had wanted me to stay on and that now he was leaving himself. I replied with ‘what about our private compact?’
“‘Oh!’ he said, ‘I can’t let a good thing like this go begging.’
“‘Very good then,’ said I, ‘you can put me in for that commission.’ Which he did, fortunately.”
Two weeks later, the order came through for Jack to proceed to ‘Blighty’. He had to return to Battalion H.Q. with the next ration party, to pick up the necessary papers for the journey. He was in the front-line trench at the time, under heavy German artillery bombardment. The shells were the biggest he had ever encountered, blasting enormous craters in the earth with thunderous explosion. Those last few hours seemed like years, as he waited, ready-packed, to catch the ration limber, with sudden death expected every moment. Tensely, he watched and waited. It seemed he was to be baulked at the last moment and, feeling uncontrollably jittery, his war-weary state almost gave way. A direct hit landed on his trench, just to his left, on the next shelter. His luck was holding. There was chaos a few yards away with a gaping crater. Everything was blown to atoms, including the unfortunate occupants of that shelter. He had nerve-racking thoughts, Having got the range precise, what will the Germans do now? Blast the whole trench off the face of the earth? Dithering on the brink of eternity he waited, but no more of those shells fell and his time for departure came. He said his goodbyes and left that hell to meet the limbers.
From Battalion H.Q. He went by train to the base camp at the port of Boulogne, and made notes in his diary.
“The train journey was a joy ride for me with its promise of England, home and loved ones. The tents were packed with hundreds of men of all ranks going home on leave or on duty. The next morning the order ‘Every man on parade’ rang out. As we dressed and assembled, the rumour spread of a massive German attack and break-through. The rolls were called, after which the Commandant ordered ‘All men proceeding home on duty fall out and re-form on the right,’ with which I complied. There were comparatively few of us. The majority were then informed that all leave was cancelled and they would be returned to their units. What a pitiable sight it was! Some broke down in tears. All were loaded with presents for loved ones, dolls, perfumes, etc., visible on the tops of valises.”
“We heard that, back at Givenchy, the Germans had made their last mighty effort. My battalion were on rest in the village billets. Hastily assembled, they had set off to occupy battle positions, when, marching down the road to the canal bridge under artillery fire, one shell fell on the front of my old company. The Company Sergeant Major, my successor, was killed, and the Captain wounded in an arm. How lucky I am to have left just in time.”
Jack arrived in England safely, only to find a new threat looming.
Wow, Jack really did have luck on his side. Only one suggestion here, Michael, “Other men could only reach that level by being ‘commissioned’ based on their performance in the army.” Delete by being commissioned.