Chapter Four
Christmas was almost upon us and leave was being sorted out for the battalion, however this would be of a short duration as we were due to move to a camp in the South of England in January. So with this it was decided to split the battalion into two half’s each half to receive a weeks leave. The ones who didn't have the first leave would be busy packing the camp up and getting it ready to hand over to Colonel Jack and our new second battalion then the first leave batch when they came back would take over and carry on. There was a sense of excitement and tension hanging over the camp with everyone waiting for the lists to be put up so they would know which leave batch they would be in. When it came it was a shock to our company which Major Melstone had volunteered to be split in two this would make sure that the battalion would be exactly halved. George Drew, Albert Hall and Frank Lord had all been selected for the first half of the leave batch. Elijah Mack, Jimmy and Mickey Lord and I were all in the second half while Tommy Macey had disappeared on a trench mortar course and would have to catch up on his leave. To say we grumbled about this state of affairs is to put it mildly. George Drew thought he was the cock of the walk crowing. “Never mind lads I’m sure we can leave you a few lasses and maybe a couple of beers for when you get back home.” This earned him a volley of thrown boots all of which hit there target I am glad to say which served him right. But this also had the added bonus of making George keep his comments to himself for a while. Frank laughing said. “Don't you worry our leave will be over before you know it and then it will be your turn to laugh at us and I’m quite sure you will soon be laughing at our expense.”
Two days later they departed and as they left the square and marched off down to the village train station the band played them off to the tune of “The British Grenadiers". We had been drawn up on the square as well and a cheer was called for from us which we gave half hearted. CSM Greaves bawled at us. “You can do better than that for your friends and comrades so let me hear you cheer till your throats hurt or I assure you that everyone will suffer.” Not liking the sound of this threat we gave them a rip roaring cheer which echoed off the huts near the square. This was returned by the leave men as they marched past us and on out the camp gates but then again they had something to cheer for. I saw George and Frank the new stripes on their arms standing out and there was Bert grinning and leading up the rear S/Sgt Domby who was going home as well but only after Major Melstone had ordered him to take his leave. I had gone to see him the night before in the company office where he was sat making lists of the kit to be packed and moved in January. He looked up and said. “Hello young Billy Boy what can I do for you then?” I replied. “Excuse me staff but could you do me a favour and deliver these letters to Helen and Rosie and there’s one for Mrs Moffat there as well.” He held out his hand and I gave him the letters before continuing. “I was going to ask George Drew but him and Bert are to busy talking about all the lasses their going to charm in their uniforms when there at home to bother about ought else.” He smiled at me and said. “Don't you worry about that pair and their talk of lasses its all hot air and the rest is all up here” and he tapped the side of his head.” He laughed at this and I and I laughed with him then he lit his pipe saying. “Is there anything else I can do for you but don't forget you won’t be that far behind us with your leave only a week so think on its not going to be years?” He sat back in his chair. So I said. “I was just wondering do you think this move down south is just a stop off on the way to France.” He stroked his chin and sighed puffing on his old pipe before saying. “It could well be Billy Boy it wouldn't surprise me at all and I know you young lads are eager to get there but don't forget what I told you about wishing.” He pointed at me with his pipe stem and said. “Right then I’ve got to get on with these lists they wont do themselves and they have to be ready before I go on leave tomorrow so go and get on with whatever you have to do.” I smiled at him apologising. “Sorry to keep you staff and thanks for the letters I hope you have a good leave and I will see you when you get back.” He was back looking through his lists and merely waved a hand in my direction. I turned and walked out the door I went back to the hut but the ones going on leave were still planning on what they were going to do I couldn’t be listening to this so I went quietly to bed to get away from them. After they had left the week went by at a snails pace even though there were a lot more fatigues and duties shared among us that were left behind and even more so with preparing for the move but on the bright side though the ablution and cook-house were less crowded. However the war news was not so good nor had it been for a while what with Môn’s, and La Cateaú in August and Ypres in November. The expectation that people had in the beginning that the war would be over by Christmas was now long gone and we new now we were in it for the long run. Also the casualties had been more than anybody would have believed possible. The regulars that had gone over there at first to sort the Huns out had ceased to exist and once proud and famous regiments had been decimated and the old army now ceased to exist almost. The casualties among the rank and file were harsh but among the officers it was appalling. And a lot of aristocratic and old families had lost their sons and heirs and more than a few had lost all their sons and there was now nobody left to pass their lands and titles on to. New regiments and divisions were being sent to the fighting as fast as they could be made ready. And we were surely going to be sent off any day now and that is probably why we were moving down south so the packing and fatigues did not bother us as much as they might have done.
The first half of the battalion returned from leave and we told them horrendous tales about the amount of fatigues and duties they would have to do whilst we went on leave. But most of them seemed down in the mouth which I put down to them having just come back off leave although it seemed to be more than just that. Frank Lord was talking to his brothers Jimmy and Mickey and they were sat on his bed and all three had their heads together. I spotted George who had just come in and was by his bed so I shouted. “Hey up George did you and Bert show off your uniforms to all the lasses or what?” He seemed to look right through me as though I wasn't there and I was beginning to get an uneasy feeling as I looked round. I asked. “Where’s Bert as he gone the toilet or what?” George sat down on his bed and said. “Listen to me Billy Boy the day before we were due back Bert’s mother died she hadn't been well for a while but it was still a big shock for him. He came round to General Gordon Street and old Domby got on to the battalion and fixed up for him to get some compassionate leave so he can sort things out at home.” I just looked down staring at the top of his head for a few minutes until finally I replied. “I’m really sorry to hear that poor Bert of course I will call round on leave to see how he’s getting on.” George stood up and lit a cigarette he then passed it to me and went on to light one for himself. So I asked him how his leave had been. He looked at me and said. “To tell you the truth Billy Boy nothing special I thought that Mabel and I might get together but she didn’t seem really interested.” He sighed and then continued saying. “Anyway I though that’s alright I will pick up with Sally Pearson because she was at home and I quite fancied a bit of spooning with her but all I got was the cold shoulder even though I was in uniform.” I never thought that I would feel sorry for George but looking at this sad figure in front of me I did. He lit another cigarette as he continued. “I will tell you something Billy Boy this war has spoiled everything things have changed and they won’t ever go back to what they were. Bloody hell if you told me that I wouldn’t even be able to spoon with a girl whilst on leave I would have said you needed sending to the asylum but that’s what happened what a leave.” I commiserated with him and I did genuinely feel sorry for him but what could I do. Then he said. “Anyway go and pack and get ready for tomorrow and listen Billy boy I wish you a better leave than I had.” I moved over to my bed and on the way Frank waved at me he asked How’s it going then Billy Boy just remember that tomorrow we will be on our way home for Christmas so perk up not long to go”, and he smiled at me reassuringly. I went over to my bunk and started to pack my kit for my leave but to be honest Gorge had put a damper on things with his gloomy talk and I just hoped that Helen would welcome me more warmly than he seemed to have been greeted by the women he liked.The next morning we paraded on the square there was a bitterly cold northern wind blowing and the sky was steel grey and promised snow before long in fact sleet was already falling and I was glad we were wearing our greatcoats. We marched off as the other half of the battalion had done before us and the band played “Lassie from Lancashire" as we left the square. The other half of the battalion had been paraded and they gave us a rousing cheer which we returned as we passed them. Out of the camp gates we swung and on to the road that ran down to the village our boots crunching on the surface as we marched along. Then somebody knocked out a mouth organ and we started to sing as we went all the rank and file and the officers as well favourites like ‘Tipperary’ and ‘Dolly Grey’ and a great many more were sung at the top of our voices as we marched along. We reached the village and were paraded outside the railway station as the trains arrived we were told to enter the station and board them by platoons. We were at the end of the formation and had to wait for the last train before we could board but we had been fallen out to wait for the transport so it wasn't so bad as we could smoke talk or read while we waited. We had already cheered and said good-bye to the other platoons of the battalion and now it was our turn to enter the station and board the train that was pulled up there. We found ourselves a carriage me Jimmy and Mickey Lord Charlie Slater and Elijah Mack. The train pulled out of the station and we were on our way the journey however seemed to take for ever and we seemed to be shunted into one siding or another every few minutes to allow ammunition trains and troop trains to pass. Eventually though we arrived at Blackthorn railway station as we were pulling in we could see the permanent black cloud that seemed to hang over the town. This was caused by the foundry and mill chimneys belching out there smoke and covering everything in a dirty gritty mess which looked even worse in winter. Then there was the acrid smell of the smoke a mixture of burning coal and sulphur that got up your nose and left a taste in your mouth like a brass bucket. And on top of this was the smell of hops as Melstone’s brewery made another batch of beer like we always said you couldn’t mistake the smell of Blackthorn.
We said our good-byes outside the station as me and Charlie were going to get the tram home while Jimmy and Mickey were going to try to catch their mother as she finished work. Meanwhile Elijah Mack was going to buy presents for his wife and nippers. Up until a few weeks back we had been wary of Elijah and Tommy Macy who we knew were toughs who came from the Higherscrop district. But as we got to know them we realised that they were two of the best blokes in the company and we became firm friends with them. They always got on with their work and never threatened anybody and like the rest of us they had both volunteered. I once asked Elijah why he had joined the battalion. He told me we liked a bit of a fight me and the lads, out our way it can be a bit rough now and then. But we never harmed any who didn't harm us and that's a fact we might be a bit rough in our ways and our actions but we aren’t bullies. And we are loyal to our town in our own way besides we can’t have a lot of Huns pushing us about and shouting the odds. He said this with such dignity that you couldn’t help but like him for it. We also found out that he and Tommy were both married they were both twenty two and had been married since they were seventeen. They had both worked at the Lucas Foundry since they left school at fourteen so they had both worked all there lives so far and were not work shy. He showed me a picture of his wife who was a nice looking lass who worked at Courts weaving mill then he showed me one of his two boys, and you could tell by the pride in his voice that he thought the world of them. It’s funny because I would never have taken Elijah for a sentimental type so it just goes to show that you never know with people. He turned to us saying. “Well lads I will be seeing you and tell Bert I’m sorry about his mother and if any of you get out Higherscrop way look me up you can nearly always find me in Flynn's tavern and if not you've got my address baring that Ill see you here next week.” We shook hands with Elijah and off he went into the town to find his presents for the family he adored. Next Jimmy and Mickey shook hands with us and said good-bye and off they went to surprise their mother as she left work. Charlie said. “Just me and you now Billy Boy come on lets get the tram home I’m looking forward to a home cooked meal and a bit of pampering off me mum.” However I had no such thing to look forward to at General Gordon Street although it would be good to see Ma Moffat who had been so kind to me and also to see Rosie again but most of all I was looking forward to seeing Helen.
I got off the tram with Charlie on Coniston Road were we shook hands and he said. “I will come round tomorrow and pay my respects to Mrs Moffat if that’s alright. I replied. “Yes, and then we had better go and see Bert and give him our sympathy and find out how he’s going on so I will see you tomorrow then Charlie.” We set off on our separate ways him to Nelson Street and me round the corner to General Gordon Street as I walked along the streets seemed strangely deserted and quite it might have been me but there seemed to be a damper on the whole atmosphere of the day. And then I was turning the corner into General Gordon Street walking along it and then up the path to the door of one hundred and twenty three where I rang the bell. I stood there feeling quite apprehensive when suddenly the door opened and there stood Rosie her face looked worn and drained. Bits of her blonde hair had escaped from the clips that were holding it in place and one large piece hung down the side of her cheek she was pushing it out of the way with her hand but this froze in place when she noticed me. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she finally said. “Oh Billy Boy it’s so good to see you”, and tears began to run down her cheeks and her lower lip trembled and finally her face crumpled like a piece of old newspaper. I stepped forward put my arms round her and hugged her to me she buried her face in the shoulder of my greatcoat and the sobs shook her body. Eventually she stood back and we held hands at arm’s length she studied me and then gave my hands a squeeze before releasing them. I looked more closely at her and the tear tracks looked like melted ice had run down her cheeks she sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. I gave her my hanky and she blew her nose which sounded like a River Clyde steam ship coming in to dock. She raised her hand to the unruly lock of hair again and managed to secure it back into position. I asked. “How’s Ma Moffat?” She stood to one side and said. “What am I thinking about leaving you stood on the door step in the cold Ma will have me guts for garters if she found out.” I hadn't noticed that since Id arrived and we had been talking that we hadn't moved on into the hallway I walked on through and into the front parlour where I dropped my kit. Rosie followed me in and I removed my cap and greatcoat she took these from me and went out to hang them on the stand in the hall. She returned just as I was lighting a cigarette and said “Can I have one of those please if you don’t mind?” She held out her hand and I looked at her amazed I was trying to work out if she was joking or not for as far as I knew she had never smoked since I had known her. She gave me a pitying look before saying. “Lot’s of things have changed round here and not just in this house things have changed all over the country. So you needn't look like a fisherman that's been slapped with a wet cod like I said things are changing and people better get used to it.” She pulled her hand back as she said. “Look lots of women are smoking nowadays it is just the way things are.” I replied. “It’s not that Rosie I don't mind you smoking it just knocked me back a little and I didn’t even know that you'd started.” As I said this to her I unbuttoned my tunic and sat down in my favourite armchair by the fire getting myself comfortable. It was now that she retorted in a shrill voice. “You don't mind well pardon me for breathing but who the hell are you not to mind what I do.” I was startled by this outburst but she hadn't quite finished with her tirade. “Oh forgive me I’m so sorry Mr high and mighty Lamb but I didn't realise you were my father laying down the rules.” The look she gave me was one of the utmost anger and outright contempt as she said. “You can keep your bloody cigarettes and shove them as far up your arse as they will fit and then you won’t need to give anybody one. It was with this as a parting shot and a flick of her head that she span round and flounced out of the parlour.
I sat there in the chair with my mouth opened like the Bishops flies when he had met the actress I was stunned at the degree and ferocity of Rosie’s anger. Surely this was not all about a cigarette for I would have gladly given her the packet and it wouldn't have bothered me a bit. It was just that she had taken me aback with her request for one and I thought it would be wise to tread carefully round here while I was on leave. I sat smoking and staring into the fire while I pondered what was happening here, and I was concentrating hard on Rosie’s tirade trying to get an insight into it when I sensed something. I broke out of my reverie and looked up to see that Rosie had re-entered the room quietly she was staring at me but how long she had been there I don't know. She smiled at me and said. “I’m sorry Billy Boy for flying off the handle like that, but things have been really hard round here for a while.” I offered her a cigarette which she accepted with a wan smile just to show there were no hard feelings. I lit my own cigarette before saying. “Sit down Rosie and tell me what's happened and I guarantee you'll feel better for it and you never know maybe I can help.” She studied me and then replied. “Yes I think you may be right about that it’s been hard having nobody to talk to you know. I couldn’t talk to Ma about things because now she’s in a world of her own.” She let out a sigh that just about broke my heart to hear before she said. “Beth’s just the same but you wouldn't know about Beth being sweet on Jack or him on her as it turned out. They kept it quite about them walking out together but he used to write to her regular from India and they were going to get betrothed only the war came along.” I was my turn to look startled now but I didn’t interrupt her I just let her carry on at her own pace. “He was still writing from Belgium to her and said he was going to tell Ma about it on his next leave and he had Charlie picked out as his best man and he told her Ma would be all for it as she loved her like a daughter.” The tears coursed down her cheeks now as she went on to say. “But now she has nothing and Jack's death has hit her really hard and she walks round here like a ghost haunting the place so I couldn’t even talk to her either.” There was no way that I could begin to understand what she had been through shouldering a burden like this on her young shoulders. In fact there was no way I could comprehend what any of them had been through and I thought there were houses like ours up and down the land and a shiver ran down my spine at the thought. Poor Rosie I said. “Tell me all about what happened you know you can always talk to me and how much I love you. So she sat down opposite me and began to tell me what had been happening at General Gordon Street. “You can’t begin to believe the shock and horror when that bloody telegram arrived on the front door step and I never stop cursing the day that I took it in my hand.” She paused and licked her lips saying. “It was just like any normal day me and Beth were cleaning and dusting and Ma was in the kitchen baking and the smell of polish and bread baking was wonderful.” The breath caught in her throat as she continued. “We could hear Ma singing and Beth and I had been talking about going to the church dance on Friday night anyway a few days before Beth had received a letter from Jack telling her how much he loved her and that he could not wait for his leave to get betrothed to her. He also mentioned a bit about were they were but this had been crossed out by the censors, and all in all things seemed to be going fairly well apart from a hold up with the mail.” Rosie shook her head as though clearing it then went on to say. “Jack had also informed Ma about him and Beth and also about their forthcoming betrothal and just like he told Beth Ma was over the moon about it. Rosie smiled at me as she told me. “On the Monday she received the news of the engagement in a letter from Jack and she came down and hugged and kissed Beth and told her she was now part of the family and how glad she was for the two of them” I could see the memory flooding back into Rosie’s face and she carried on saying. “That night we had a celebratory supper just the three of us and we opened a couple of bottles of stout to toast the happy couple and Ma got quite tipsy.” She smiled at the memory of it and I couldn’t help but smile back at her for I had never seen Ma tipsy or even have a drink.
She smoothed down her skirt and then took the tale up once more. It was like I had been saying we had all been in a happy mood for quite some time. Beth had asked me to be her bridesmaid and I had said of course Id love to be and she had gone on to say I was the closest thing she had to a sister.” She smiled at the memory before saying. “Well of course we both ended up having a good cry and Ma came out to see what was going on and ended up crying with us. Anyway I was just flicking the duster over the hall stand when the door bell rang anyway I walked up the passage and opened the door and stood there was a young boy in the blue uniform of the Post Office Telegram Service. She paused and a blank look came over her face for a moment and then she continued. “Anyway he said telegram for Mrs Moffat and held it out in his hand I took it off him and signed for it then he went back down the path mounted his red bike and pedalled off. I looked at the telegram and saw it was from the War Office and looked official so I closed the door and walked back down the hall way shouting for Ma.” Rosie looked up at me and then back down at the hanky she was twisting in her lap before saying. “By this time Ma had shouted back asking me what I wanted making such a row so I told her I had a telegram for her. She came out into the hall and asked what a telegram for me? Then she pondered who'd be sending me a telegram? I looked at it again and said it’s from the War Office Ma.” I could see the tears forming in Rosie’s eyes and I offered her another cigarette just to calm her nerves she took one and then cupped my hand in hers as I lit it for her. Her touch was warm but there was a trembling in it and my heart went out to her with a tenderness I hoped she could feel. She took up her narrative once again saying. “I held out the telegram to Ma and she took it saying to me it’s probably from Jack and Charlie to say they have leave. They once did this before when they got leave on short notice and she proceeded to tear open the envelope the telegram was in.” Tears began to roll down Rosie’s cheeks and she was now visibly shaking. “Anyway Ma read what was in the telegram and then everything seemed to happen at once her mouth opened and closed a few times and then an unholy sound came out of it. The noise was like a banshees wail and Ma's face was as white as a sheet, and the sound rose and fell and rose and fell and I thought it was going to carry on whilst judgement day.
Rosie dabbed at her eyes with her hanky and then snuffled back the tears. She said. “I never want to hear a sound like that again as long as I live. Both Beth and I moved towards her to find out what was wrong and to support Ma but before we got to her the wailing cut off dead and the telegram slipped out of her fingers. Her eyes rolled up into the back of her head, and she dropped to the floor like a sack of coal and lay there in a dead faint.” My head was spinning and the compassion I felt for the three women was overwhelming she looked at me and saw I think what I was feeling. Rosie continued. “We managed to get Ma onto the couch in the back parlour and we were pretty scared because she was not moving at all. I told Beth to go and get Dr Durkin while I made Ma comfortable Beth was now as white in the face as Ma was and I think it crossed her mind to argue with me.” She stopped for a moment to catch her breath and then said. “I think like me Beth knew there was something terribly wrong and I think she had guessed at the truth but I didn't give her chance for it to sink in. I shouted at her that Ma was very ill and that she should waste no more time in getting the doctor and this seemed to get through to her and she went off like a bat out of hell.” It was beginning to get dark so I stood up and lit the wall lamps they flared to life and cast a bright light on the room. I turned the gas down so that the light in the room was more subdued although I didn't think that Rosie had noticed. Sighing she took up the tale once more. “When Beth had gone to fetch the doctor I went back into the hall and picked up the telegram from where it had dropped on the floor. That's when I first saw the news about Jack and Charlie that had so upset Ma I placed the telegram on the table and went across to keep an eye on her.” Tears clouded Rosie’s eyes as she went on saying. “She seemed in a bad way her face was as white as chalk and her breathing was coming in short shallow breaths there were beads of sweat on her brow and her eyes were still rolled back.” Rosie got up and left the room and I thought the retelling of the tale must have been too much for her and who was I to argue with that. However a few moments later she returned with a bottle of beer and two glasses she poured some beer out for the two of us and we both took a quick drink then she sat back down and perched on the edge of the chair. She resumed where she had left off. “Beth came back with Dr Durkin who came bustling into the room and began to minister to Ma and all the time he was asking us questions.” She stopped again and took another small sip of beer before continuing. “Whilst this was going on Beth had picked up and read the telegram and this must only have confirmed what she had already guessed at without a word she just wandered out of the room in a trance I was busy with the doctor so I could not go and comfort her straight away.” She paused and looked at me with such trusting eyes saying. “Dr Durkin said we must get Ma up to bed and that she was in a state of profound shock and must be nursed day and night. We got her to bed and she just lay there as the doctor left a prescription to be filled he said that he would be back in the morning and asked me if I was alright to which I replied I was and then he left.” Rosie screwed the handkerchief up in her palm and then said. “I could not find Beth and I needed to get the prescription the doctor had left for Ma so thank god for Sally Pearson who offered to sit with Ma and help in anyway she could. So off I went and got the medicine and returned and gave it to Ma but there was no change in her nor has there been from the time she received the telegram.” I replied saying. “This must have been really hard for you Rosie I am so sorry.” She laughed saying. “You don't know the half of it after I had seen to Ma and Sally had said she would sit with her whilst I got some rest and something to eat. I had to go and find Beth she was in her room sat on the bed staring into space she didn't move when I entered or even acknowledge me. I tried talking to her but it was no good she would not reply to anything that I said.” Tears coursed down her face as she remembered this still she went on. “She’s a bit better now but she still hardly talks and you wouldn't recognise her as the old chattering Beth and like I say she glides through the house like a ghost haunting everyone she passes.” Rosie grabbed the poker and stuck it in the fire and started giving the coals in the grate a good poking until the flames were roaring up the chimney then she put the poker back on its stand.
She said to me. “To tell you the truth with Beth the way she is I don't know what I would have done at first if it hadn't been for Helen Shaw she’s been a diamond and no mistake. Nothing was too much trouble for her and for that first week I really needed someone to give me a hand there was also Sally pitching in and doing her bit.” I thought about Helen I knew that she was kind but this was something else and Sally Pearson the one that George was always trying to get in the back parlour for a spoon and who I had thought was just plain silly. Well now I knew differently and I would have to thank Helen and her for what they had done for Ma Moffat. Rosie looked at me saying. “Anyway now we have got a nurse in for Ma Dr Durkin recommended one and she seems quite good at her job. The doctor told us we would be better off making these arrangements as there was no sign of Ma getting better any time soon and he was certainly right about that.” She wiped her nose on a hanky before continuing. “Although she is a little better she is still bed bound and never utters a word and we will all be glad when Charlie’s better and can come and see her then maybe that will jolt her out of the malaise she’s in.” I lit another cigarette and offered one to Rosie which she refused as she said. “So you can see that things are non to clever around here at the moment also we've lost a lot of the lodgers some have moved away to do war work, and some have moved out because it’s not the same here anymore. In some ways I can’t blame them like I said everything's changed with the war and it will never be the same again.” She dabbed at her eyes with the hanky saying. “Well that's about it and I expect your hungry so I will go and make you some supper”, she stood up and left the room before I could say anything. I sat there trying to take in everything that Rosie had said and feeling just so sad for all of them for I knew what grief felt like from loosing my parents. In a way I was glad I was home to give some support to Ma Rosie and Beth but tomorrow we would have to go and see Bert about the loss of his mother. Because this was just another of the tragedies that had happened and that seemed to be weighing down on me. I was feeling more than a little sorry for myself and there were times when I wished I was back at camp for I could see Christmas being a trial in its