War Generations (standard:adventure, 14542 words)
Author: JamesMcFall	Added: Aug 13 2008	Views/Reads: 2887/1925	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A short story dedicated to the memory of Walter Pope who lived through two World Wars.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

Bobby, who was boxing in a competition which he won in the second 
round. When Wally returned to the army barracks he was put in charge of 
new soldiers.  He saw that they were not ready to become soldiers, not 
ready for war but time was not on their side.  On the way to the ship 
in the back of the lorry there was laughter between the men but Wally's 
mind was back at home.  The lorry stopped at the docks, the driver 
saying that was as far as he went and Wally called for his men to stand 
in for a toll call.  He began to take names pausing on one name: 
Michael Kelly.  Wally asked this young soldier where he was from, the 
young man replying that he was from Ireland, not far from where Wally's 
wife had come from.  Wally ordered the men to the quay side to wait for 
further orders.  Some time later an army car pulled up with a major 
inside telling them that they were going to be sent to France and would 
be joining up with others on the ship.  On board the ship many of the 
men got sick, not knowing what was going to happen to them.  Getting 
onshore was even more difficult than being in the ship as they were 
followed by a plane and then some more, the second one opening fire on 
them. Two days had passed, the men waiting for further orders and 
taking care of those who had been wounded.  They were then told by a 
sergeant that they would be taken further inland and would be within 
enemy sight after the first forty miles.  After roll call the men were 
all split up once again and Wally and some other men were ordered to go 
ahead and clear all that was in front of them.  They were shot at again 
just five miles ahead.  Wally had much the same group as before but 
with a few new faces and they were ordered to go about three miles 
ahead and hold some new ground.  He told four men to go two hundred 
yards ahead and to keep the noise down and another four men to stay two 
hundred yards behind.  There were many German snipers around, the men 
never knowing when they might be hit.  Food was also running short and 
when the weather turned bad it was hard for few supplies to get 
through.  This was a hard life, a lot of the men became very ill due to 
the dampness, their feet giving way first followed by chest infections. 
 What kept the men's morale up were the letters and small gifts which 
they received in the post. 

CHAPTER TWO In the weeks that followed the war began to get worse, gas
was now being used and no-stop bombing.  The soldiers who were not on 
watch were digging tunnels.  Sleep was very short for the men.  In one 
of the tunnels there was much talk and laughter and Wally sent to see 
what was going on.  He asked a soldier at the entrance what was all the 
noise for and the soldier replied that it was another soldier named 
Mick Kelly who was giving out to himself saying that he had left 
Ireland to get away from digging as he worked sown a coal pit back 
home.  Wally told them that the next day they would be moving forward 
and that it would be tough as it would be hand to hand fighting.  Early 
the next day Wally give orders to take six volunteers and make some new 
ground and he told them to fix bayonets.  Moving on was not easy and to 
try and do it quietly was even harder.  Wally took lead through the mud 
and the second day they came across ten German soldiers, Michael being 
the only one to fire shots.  He fired many shots before this day never 
knowing what he had hit but this had been his first kill.  No time to 
think about that now, shoot and forget was the only way. The fighting 
lasted about two hours which was a long time in close combat.  Wally 
shouted for a roll call and began to call out the names.  There were 
three German soldiers lying wounded, the rest dead.  Wally sent Michael 
to go back and report what had happened.  "See what we can do for our 
men first then do what can be done for the Germans.  You, Bill, keep a 
close eye on the other Gerrys" said Wally.  "Hope young Michael makes 
it, Sarge", said Dave, "he did very well just now". "I know", answered 
Wally, "and so did you, Dave, I'm making a note of it.  I now have a 
big favour to ask you.  Will you go on ahead about half a mile and stop 
there, we have no more food, Dave". "O.k. Sarge, I'll go now". "God 
Bless you, Dave". Two days and nights passed and the soldiers grew 
worried.  Wally told them not to worry, that they could not have asked 
for two better men than Michael and Dave.  All the watching, waiting 
and listening was never easy, never knowing what was going to happen 
next.  In the meantime Michael had made contact with the other 
soldiers, telling them what was going on and that Wally was waiting for 
further orders. "Well done young men", said the Captain, "go straight 
to the cok and he will fix you up with some grub then get some rest, we 
are all going ahead at first light".  The next thing Michael heard was 
someone shouting in his ear, "wakie, wakie, time to rise and shine".  
"Already?", asked Michael wearily, if only feels like I've had ten 
minutes sleep".  For once it was a bright morning with no fog and on 
ahead they went, making good time to catch up with Wally and the 
others.  "Well done Wally and to your men", said the Captain, "which 
one is Dave?" "He's gone ahead, sir", answered a soldier. "Right.  Take 
care of the prisoners and wounded and get some grub down you lads, I 
want ten volunteers to go to Dave, bring more food also, the rest of us 
stay here, I'll send a runner back". Off they went again on their 
search for Dave.  In the meantime Dave had found a gug out shelter by 
some trees which was more like a bird watchers shelter. He was warm 
here and had good visibility out of his make shift shelter but was very 
hungry.  Suddenly he spotted his comrades coming and joking, shouting 
friend or foe. Friend, was the reply. "Good on you man, I heard what 
had happened", said the Captain. "Have you managed to find out what's 
ahead?" "Yes, Sir, a lot of movement approx a mile in front, looks like 
the Gerrys are waiting there Sir". "Well don again Dave, get some food 
and rest now, we'll all stay here tonight and in the morning will make 
plans on what to do.  Are Wally and the others O.K.?", asked the 
Captain.  "Yes Sir", replied Dave.  "O.K., four more men come forward, 
go on ahead and count as best you can how many Gerrys there are and 
what they have", said the Captain.  So the four men went off and it 
wasn't long before they came across the Germans.  "There's a lot here", 
said one of the soldiers, "if we are caught we are dead men, split up 
into twos, check the time, be back here in an hour and if no one shows 
up take it that they have been caught".  They split up quietly, keeping 
their eyes peeled.  They met back again later, all having went O.K.  
They had come across at least one hundred men, many trenches, two 
machine guns with at least six men around them doing much the same as 
the other men, just waiting around.  On returning back to the Captain 
they told him what they had seen, the Captain telling them that they 
would take them on the next day. One of the German prisoners had died, 
another not too far behind him do to the cold nights, some of the other 
men were also sick.  Later on that night another Major and more 
soldiers arrived.  This Major called a meeting, asking for Wally and 
one other Sergeant .  "This is the plan", said the Major, "from what we 
know there are a hundred men or more not far ahead and two machine guns 
on look out, our machine guns will have to be taken out tonight for 
early attack in the morning.  I hate to ask you Wally but I have little 
choice.  Your job will be to take one out, it will have to be done 
quietly, we will not be far behind you, take six men with you, do your 
own picking and Good speed, we will attack at seven sharp".  Wally 
picked Dave knowing that he was the man for the job and he allowed him 
to pick the other men.  The two groups set off and it wasn't long 
before the battle started.  There was shooting everywhere with more 
Germans around than they thought but that never stopped them.  The 
battle want on for some time often hard to know who was winning, the 
Germans were putting up a good fight even when it was unexpected.  
There were heavy losses on both sides when it was over, the Germans 
coming out the worse.  It took some time for things to settle down.  
The wounded were seen to, some prisoners were taken and some of Wally's 
own men who had been captured were now rescued.  Some of the soldiers 
said that these were the last Germans around an doubt there was more 
like them but would be at least forty miles away. The Major said that 
they were not yet strong enough to move on and that they could all be 
there for some time.  He told the soldiers to set up the usual outpost 
and to get something to eat.  At night they could see the flashing in 
the sky and just about hear the bombs.  After another week word was out 
that it was all over, that the Germans had surrendered.  Morale was now 
very high at the camp and as time went on word began to spread rapidly 
that it was over with little celebrations breaking out amongst the men. 
 After a few days they travelled to a French port, everyone split into 
groups with Wally, Michael and Dave together.  They travelled in a 
borrowed lorry into the French country side with talk of a lake being 
near.  It was clearly visible that the Germans had left their mark 
having burnt out many small villages.  When they arrived at the lake 
they all went in for a swim and stayed the night there, eating freshly 
cooked fish which they had caught.  The next morning they moved a few 
miles further and came across an elderly French couple on the road.  
Dave asked Wally to stop the lorry to see what they were up to.  The 
couple had a little English and told them that the Germans had wrecked 
their house so they had to live rough.  They were brought in the lorry 
back to the house, the men offering to help work on it.  The roof was 
in need of repair the most and some of the men went away for the night 
coming back the next morning with building supplies.  Wally asked the 
men where did they get these supplies from but they would not tell him. 
 In two days the men had repaired the house and the old couple were 
extremely grateful, the old woman giving them a bottle of wine for 
their journey.  On the road again they saw many Germans heading back 
home and the roads were very busy with army lorries and vehicles.  They 
pulled over their own lorry a few times to let them pass.  "Look at 
them", said Michael, "They're in a bad way". "Who knows what they are", 
said Wally, "could be just the same as us; milk men, factory workers, 
lorry drivers.. one thing is certain, we are the lucky ones to be going 
back and hopefully to a fresh start".  The others nodded their heads in 
agreement.  This made them all a little more eager to get on.  When 
they reached the port they left the lorry at the side of the road.  
Dave laughed saying "finders keepers".  They were approached by an 
anxious looking soldier saying that they had been expected to report 
back sooner and that there was talk of a missing lorry.  A red faced 
officer came their way, asking who was in charge.  Wally said that he 
was and both of them began arguing, neither of them giving in.  Michael 
quickly interrupted saying that they had got lost on the way back and 
the officer began to calm down, telling them to report over to hut 
three for further orders.  All the other men were over at the hut and 
told them that they would be going back home tomorrow.  They spent one 
more night in France, some men having mixed feelings, others being so 
excited that they could not settle.  On the boat back Wally and his men 
talked a lot about where they were going and what they were going to do 
next.  Wally took out his knife and bayonet from his backpack and threw 
them over the side saying that he would not need them anymore.  One 
other soldier did the same.  "What are you going to do when we get 
back, Michael?", asked Wally.  "Not sure yet, Wally.  What do you do 
yourself?"  "I'm a landscape gardener, and what about you, Dave?" asked 
Wally.  "I'm a docker by day, a doorman in some of the clubs by night", 
smiled Michael.  "O.k. men, lets all try to get some sleep", said Wally 
as he looked in his pocket and for the first time took out some photos 
of his family and talking to himself, saying that it would not be long 
before he saw them all again.  Tears formed in his eyes as he thought 
about France and how he was lucky to be still alive.  The next morning 
a voice shouted out that there was land ahead and an officer came along 
telling the men to report back to an army barrack in two weeks time and 
pick up their discharge books and that some of them were to be given 
medals, others still having more time left in the army. 

CHAPTER THREE You could not see anyone for dust as soon as they landed
as everyone made such a quick getaway.  Wally and some of his group 
stayed together for a drink and after that they said their goodbyes.  
While waiting for a train Wally began to figure out what time would he 
be home at and eventually arrived home at seven that evening.  There 
was much job and excitement when he arrived home and he was so 
surprised at how much his two children had grown.  Mary cooked fish for 
his supper, everyone glad to be back together again.  Wally had regular 
meals and sleep over the next few days and spent time once again down 
at the harbour with his boat.  After a week had passed, Wally and Mary 
made their way to the army barracks.  Wally was pleased to pick up his 
book and some more medals.  To the army's dismay they were unable to 
talk Wally into staying.  "Come over here Mary, there is Dave and the 
rest I was telling you about" Wally said pointing to a crowd in the 
corner. They all shook hands and embraced on meeting.  "Michael, this 
is my wife, Mary". "How do you do?" Michael replied. "Wally has talked 
about you Michael" "All good I hope" laughed Michael.  "Are you Irish?" 
"Yes both from Ireland". Michael laughed and answered, "you have been 
over here a long time Mary and your accent is still strong". Wally 
started to talk "What are you going to do now Michael?" "I have stayed 
on in the army for another three years.  We are leaving in six weeks 
time, somewhere hot we were told.  I have not yet settled Wally, what 
about you?"  "Just about, the first week was hard but it's getting 
easier now.  I'm thinking of going back to work shortly", replied 
Wally.  "I sent home myself for a week and would now like to travel a 
bit".  Most of the other men had been doing the same, just adjusting to 
their old normal lives, others had stayed in the army.  It was a long 
day and Wally had not talked as much for a long time.  He was very well 
liked and all the men shared their news with him.  As the end of the 
day approached they all gave Michael a good send off.  Wally was sad 
leaving the men, especially Michael and Dave, wondering what would 
happen to them but it was now time to move on. Wally's daughter Laura 
was now a college student and doing very well, the first person from 
both sides of the family to have gone to college.  Things were not the 
same with their son Wall, however.  He was getting into constant 
trouble, gang fights and stealing.  His best friend Bobby had been 
caught stealing and was in trouble with the police.  Bobby had not been 
as lucky as Was, his father had not come home from the war and was 
never heard of again.  Wally gave Bobby some work in the gardening 
business, acting as a Father-figure to him.  together with another 
worker named Fred they worked on clearing an apple orchard of all its 
old trees which gave them a few weeks work.  Wally bought an ex army 
motorbike and turned it into a scrambler for the fields for Wall and 
Bobby.  the young men soon abandoned their troublesome behaviour, 
working hard in the gardening business and becoming very interested in 
motorbikes.  Bobby remained himself in boxing while Wall grew more into 
going to sea. One night Wally and Mary had a surprise visit from 
Michael Kelly, the Irish soldier who had been under Wally's command 
during the war.  He gave Michael some work in the gardening business, 
as he was short staffed due to Wall, Bobby and Fred being away at sea.  
They did not stay away for very long however and when they came back 
Wall brought two friends, Garry and Peter, back with him.  Garry and 
Michael soon became very good friends and shared a flat together.  Fred 
turned out to be very helpful to Bobby, both of them working overtime 
and some weekends at other jobs in order to earn extra money for 
Bobby's bike.  Garry stayed longer than he had planned.  One night he 
and Michael had some good luck in the local pub.  They bought a raffle 
ticket between them and won the first prize of œ500 and split it 
between them: œ250 each.  Soon after this Garry returned to sea, 
Michael saying that the only place he wanted to see it was on a 
postcard.  Wall told Garry that he would not be returning to sea for 
some time so Garry gave him his postal address, which was the 'Sea-man 
Mission' Liverpool. As the summer approached Bobby got his new 
motorbike, Fred showing great interest in it.  That same summer Michael 
was not his usual cheerful self, becoming very quiet and withdrawn.  
Wally asked him on day at the yard what was wrong and Michael told him 
that with all the money he had saved along with his winnings from the 
prize he had been sending money back home and his brother had bought a 
house and some land for him.  The two men had a good talk about their 
time in the army and Michael gave his notice to Wally saying that he 
would be leaving in two weeks.  The men were very sad to see him go and 
gave him an ex-bakers van for the road, which they had renovated.  Mary 
give Michael a parcel, asking would he deliver it to her Parents in 
Ireland as that was where he would be travelling to.  He gave them his 
new address and left quickly the next morning, the departure hard for 
everyone.  Later on that day Bobby and his Mother called to see Wally 
and Mary so there was not much time for thinking about Michael.  Wall 
and Bobby were planning a trip to Ireland on their motorbikes, Wally 
wishing he was going with them.  At nights they worked on the 
motorbikes, preparing them for the journey, both being well capable of 
this work as the scrambler they had taught them this. Wally was feeling 
a little low, nothing to do with the holidays, just thinking of 
Michael, wishing others knew him as well as he did, how brave he was 
when in France and other times during the war.  At least he would soon 
find out how he was doing as Wall and Bobby were going to visit him.  
When the young men reached Liverpool on their motorbikes they had to 
stay the night in an old shed at the docks.  "Wont be long before we 
can go aboard the ship so lets settle down for a while Bobby", said 
Wall.  They began to sleep but Bobby was soon awoken by a loud voice 
"All right then, what have we here?"  Bobby woke up and told the man 
that they had come up late last night from the far side of London and 
were waiting for the ship to Ireland.  "No harm done, mate.  I'm the 
night watch man, would you like some tea?"  "Yes, please", replied 
Bobby, "get up Wall, tea-time!" "Leave your bikes there, by hut is only 
ten minutes away", said the night watch man.  They went to the man's 
hut and he offered them some tea.  "Sorry, all I can offer you is last 
nights biscuits, I'm off in two hours". Wall and Bobby told the man 
their plans and now they were on first name terms.  The watchman, Joe, 
was very helpful and explained to the men where to go for the boat, 
giving them some old cloth and rope to tie the bikes to the handrail on 
the boat.  When it was time for them to board the ship Joe wished them 
luck, waving to them until they were out of sight. They were finally on 
the way and when they had tied down the motorbikes they went up on deck 
for breakfast.  The ship reached Dublin in about an hour.  From here 
they travelled to Wall's Grandparents in Carlow, Wall remembering the 
last time he had been in Ireland.  They stayed with Wall's Grandparents 
for a few days before moving on to visit Wally's old friend Michael for 
a while. 

CHAPTER FOUR Michael was delighted to see them and made them very
welcome.  They stayed with him a few days before heading to Belfast.  
In Belfast the men had a good time, being back in traffic kept them 
alert, as did travelling down along the Antrim coastline.  Travelling 
late on new roads was never easy and it was now too late to be knocking 
on the door of any B&B so the next thing was to get the tent out for 
the first time.  Wall spotted a field with no animals in it so there 
they put up the tent, using the headlights on the motorbikes for light. 
 Wall was first up the next morning and heard somejone whistling and 
approaching.  Wall spoke first "how do you do Sir?"  The answer he 
received back was "what about you?"  Wall asked the man was he the 
owner of the field and when the replied that he was Wall then asked was 
it ok for Bobby and him to camp there.  The man looked at their set up 
and said that it was no problem, that he owned that half of the land 
and his brother owned the other.  Wall introduced himself and Bobby and 
asked was that Scotland in the distance.  "Aye, surely" replied the 
man, "I'll be seeing it myself next week.  My name is Liam McMullen".  
They shook hands and Wall asked him did he work in Scotland.  "No Wall, 
I work on the Ferry in summer, she sails out of Larne a little further 
back".  "You're a seaman?" asked Wall, "so am I and my friend Bobby!" 
"Is that right?" said Liam, a bond beginning to form between the two 
men, "please come back to the house with me and have some breakfast". 
Wall and Bobby gladly accepted the offer and the three of them made 
their way to Liam's house, the two young men telling him all about 
their journey so far.  At the house, Liam introduced them to his 
brother Tony.  Tony made porridge and cooked some fish for them.  The 
men told Wall and Bobby that their wives were dead so now they lived 
together, Liam being the eldest brother.  Later that day the men took 
Wall and Bobby rabbit hunting which was very new to them and they were 
successful in catching three rabbits.  They learned so much from these 
two brothers and also went fishing with them.  When Wall and Bobby 
began to make plans for their trip back home Liam asked them to stay 
one more day as he was returning to sea a little earlier than planned 
and could get a ticket each for them to sail to Scotland.  That suited 
Wall and Bobby and they agreed to that only if they would take a spin 
on the motorbikes with them.  The brothers agreed and Tony showed a 
particular interest in the bike, even managing to ride it himself after 
a couple of jump-starts.  On the way to Liam and Tony's house for 
breakfast the next morning Wall spotted the smoke rising from the 
chimney, rising in a straight line towards the sky.  "Look at that, 
mate", he said to Bobby, pointing to the smoke, "not a breath of wind, 
we are in for an easy crossing". "That's good Wall but can you smell 
the food?!  Hope it's as good as it smells!"  replied Bobby.  Liam was 
standing at the door when they reached the house and invited them in.  
"An Ulster fry is on the way!" smiled Tony, standing over the cooker.  
He and Bobby did most of the talking over breakfast, Tony saying how he 
would like to get his own motorbike and asking what to look out for and 
how much would it cost.  As Wall and Bobby got ready to head back to 
their camp, Liam said that he would see them at the docks, as he had to 
be there an hour earlier.  They all said their goodbyes and shook 
hands, thanking each other for everything.  Wall and Bobby packed up 
all their things and prepared to depart as soon as they returned to the 
campsite.  They met Liam at the ship and made sure that their bikes 
were well secured for the journey.  Soon they were on their way and out 
at sea.  Liam pointed out the coastline that he knew so well, showing 
Wall and Bobby some dangerous parts of the coast saying that many 
sailing ships had met their end there.  Liam introduced them to the 
other crew members and told them that they would not be sailing back 
that night so he would like to show them around Stranraer.  Before 
docking they arranged to meet at a café that Liam knew of and have 
something to eat together there.  At the café in Stranraer Liam gave 
his address to Wall saying that someday they might go to sea together.  
After a quick handshake Liam left the café and Wall decided that they 
would head for Portpatrick, beginning the long trip back to London the 
next day. Along the road they came across another biker who was pulled 
in at the side of the road and looked to be in trouble.  They found out 
that this man was from the same area as themselves and that he had got 
caught out in the rain the previous night and now the spark plug on his 
motorbike was damaged.  Wall soon got the spark plug cleaned up and 
tightened the chain.  "Can ride them but not much good with spanners!" 
laughed the man, looking at the bike and looking a bit embarrassed, "my 
name's Harry, by the way".  "We taught ourselves", said Bobby, "form a 
field bike we had years ago". Harry nodded his head, "Self taught, best 
way sometimes.  Where are you headed for yourselves?"  Wall told him 
that they were heading back home and Harry said that he would accompany 
them along the way.  They did not stop much along the road only to 
refuel and get something to eat and drink.  Harry bought them all egg 
and chips at a café which he knew outside London and told them that 
this was a meeting place for a group of bikers who met every second 
Sunday and that they could joint them if they wanted to.  He also told 
them that he lived close by before leaving the café.  "Tell you one 
thing Wall, he sure could handle a motorbike", said Bobby.  "Sure 
could, mate.  We haven't far to go now ourselves, and hour or two will 
get us back", replied Wall.  When they were on the road again Bobby 
took the lead for the last time and they headed straight for Bobby's 
house.  They received a very warm welcome from Bobby's mother and they 
all talked for a while before going to bed for the night.  the next 
morning Wall headed for his own home, taking the long road unsure about 
returning to work.  He met his mother on arriving to the house and told 
here of his adventures and about the journey.  When Wall's father 
arrived home that evening he was delighted to see his son home safe and 
asked him all about his travels, especially about his visit to his old 
friend Michael; interested to know how he was keeping and what he was 
up to. Getting back to normal life took some time for Wall and Bobby 
but things were about to change as talk was out that another war had 
begun, World War Two.  changes were being made everywhere for most 
people, many were volunteering for different services and Wall's sister 
Laura had already joined the R.A.F.  Wall and Bobby were hoping to join 
the army but one day Wall received a telegram from Garry who was now in 
Liverpool saying that all able bodied seamen were now wanted.  Wall and 
Bobby joined the Merchant navy and once again were off to Liverpool but 
this time there was to be no holiday.  Mary and Linda saw them off at 
the station saying that if they stuck together their chances of coming 
back would increase. 

CHAPTER FIVE There were many other Mothers at the station, all waving
goodbye to their sons.  That was the last they were to see of them for 
over a year.  On the train journey to Liverpool they stopped at many 
stations and saw many army soldiers getting on.  Garry was waiting in 
Liverpool for them and after a short greeting told them that they were 
off on the next tide.  He told them that he was first mate and that he 
knew the skipper well, most of the crew being from Liverpool.  On board 
the ship Garry showed all the crew around before taking them to meet 
the Captain.  The Captain asked them all a few questions and said that 
Garry would tell them what to do.  He also told them that they would 
all have to take a turn in the galley as there was no cook, to sign the 
ship's book and to settle in as soon as possible as they would be 
catching that tide. They headed up the coast where they were to make up 
the rest of a convoy.  The first week at sea was hard as they ran into 
a heavy swell which lasted three days and some of the crew were 
severely sea sick, their damp clothes not helping the situation.  After 
some weeks at sea they arrived at Norway, boarding up with cargo and 
supplies before heading back to sea.  Two of the bigger ships broke 
away from the convoy, Bobby and another crew member Steve wondering why 
they weren't keeping up.  Garry told them that those ships were very 
old and were like two wounded rabbits in an open field with the hunters 
not far behind.  Suddenly a loud bang was heard and then a flash could 
be seen in the sky.  One of the ships had been struck with the second 
one soon out of sight, all the crew lost.  Their next stop was the port 
in Glasgow and it was now time for some shore leave.  The talk among 
the men of the Merchant Navy and the Royal Navy was about how many 
ships had gone down and about the men who hadn't made it. Garry, Wall 
and Bobby went down south; Wall and Bobby taking turns in putting Garry 
up.  Wally, like others, could see a change in both the young men.  It 
was almost like old times for Garry, the only person missing was his 
old friend Michael.  Wally and Wall met Laura one day in London who was 
stationed there as part of her work with the R.A.F.  Summer and winter 
the Merchant Navy worked hard bringing supplies back to England and 
with all their losses still battled on.  Wall and Bobby made many new 
friends, one of them being only fifteen years of age who was called 
Gavin.  Gavin's father had a freshwater canal boat and back in 
Birmingham the young lad had always shown a great interest in going to 
sea.  It was hard for his family with him away at such an early age.  
Shore leave was now up and it was time to return to sea.  Wall was to 
meet Bobby at the usual street corner and waited for him as he was 
running a bit late.  Three soldiers were starting a fight with Wall and 
Bobby sould see this as he approached.  The soldiers were teasing Wall 
for being in the Merchant Navy, Bobby arguing that many of these men 
had been lost at sea and were playing an important role as any in the 
war.  Wall and Bobby left before the argument got any worse and Wall 
told Bobby that Laura had been caught up in one of the bombings in 
London but thankfully she was not too badly injured. On the way to 
Cardiff Wall and Bobby met up with two new crew members who were both 
from Liverpool; Jeff and Cliff.  Jeff's last ship had been torpedoed 
with him and four others badly burned during their escape.  Cliff's 
parents had moved to England from Jamaica when he was just a child and 
he had worked around the docks and on some ferries crossing the Irish 
Sea.  Knowing each other for a long time this was Jeff and Cliff's 
first voyage together. In Cardiff the ship was still anchored outside 
the harbour waiting for its turn to be rigged out for its voyage.  Most 
of the crew were already aboard.  This was a large convoy and Wall, 
Bobby and Garry were to be on the St David, one of the larger ones with 
more cargo and this time they were to journey across the Atlantic.  
Wall and Bobby went up to the bow, making their way to the stern.  
Garry shouted to them, saying that there was someone there who knew 
them both.  They turned around to see Liam climbing up a rope waying, 
"what about yous?!" and greeting them warmly.  All three had a good 
chat for some time, telling each other what they were up to since last 
seeing each other.  Signing on, Wall was now to be second engineer on 
this trip and as it turned out he was the only one.  Garry was to be 
second mate and the Captain told him that the first mate was up on deck 
showing two Chinese crew members how to eye-splice a wire cable also 
telling thim that they were some of the best seamen he had ever seen.  
The first mate was called Maurice MacPheal and the Captain said that he 
had known him for many years and that like himself, he never had a 
shore job but went straight to sea from an early age.  Bobby and some 
others were to be deck hands.  Gavin told the Captain that he had 
worked the canals with the Captain replying that he was a 'narrow boat 
man' and that he would not be going ashore for a long time.  Thinking 
quickly, Gain replied: "no problem, Sir".  "You'll do"", smiled the 
Captain, "you can help out with the cook, and American called Jake.  My 
name is Derek Jones, call me Derek or Skipper, that's all for now men 
so go to your stations and thank you for your time". Wall went below 
deck where he met some other crew members.  There was Ben from Belfast 
who was chief boiler, Patsy a Donegal man, Kevin from Scotland, Shemus 
from Dublin who was the ship's carpenter and first aid man, Nawab from 
Pakistan who was the fire man and three chief fire men from China:  
Kublai, Yuan and Chao.  Gavin headed for the Galley where he found Jake 
the cook busy making supper. "Howdy!", smiled Jake. "Hello", replied 
Gavin, "I'm here to help you on this voyage". "That's o.k. kid, come on 
in, are you hungry?" asked Jake.  Gavin nodded, approaching him.  "Have 
some home made hamburgers!", smiled Jake, handing him tow.  Gavin was a 
very friendly young lad to everyone which soon made him very popular 
and he and Jake became very good friends despite the age difference. 
Later that night the Captain called a meeting in the galley.  "We will 
be off with the Morning's tide as the forecast is not good", he said, 
"if we don't said then it will delay us for another week so ready or 
not, that's it.  Maurice will be on first watch and will tell us what 
to do, try to get some sleep men.  That's all for now". In the early 
hours of the morning Maurice got his crew together and last minute 
checks were done.  Many ships left that morning and the first day at 
sea was flat and calm.  Heavy seas soon came however with the easterly 
wind slowing many of the ships down.  Gavin took a look below in the 
boiler rooms and saw how hard the men were working in such heat.  He 
began to talk to Nawab about what would happen if they were hit by a 
torpedo.  Ben told them that they would be lucky to make it half way up 
the steps before drowning or if very lucky to find an air pocket and 
that was the last time Gavin mentioned such things. On their watches, 
Patsy and Ben kept Wall on his toes.  By letting the whistle blow too 
much and too loudly, this meant the loss of power and steam which got 
Wall worked up a little.  On receiving some signals, Kevin passed them 
on to the Skipper, they would be docking in ten hours, the larger ships 
to dock first.  The skipper made his way to the wheelhouse and looked 
at the charts, asking Kevin how far out they were.  When they docked 
for Cargo some of the crew had shore leave, Jake and Gavin first, Jake 
picking up fresh supplies; meat, fruit and vegetables.  When all cargo 
was aboard, enough to keep a small village going for some time, the 
ship anchored off shore waiting for the other ships.  Seamus climbed 
half way up the mast looking out for enemies, the most dangerous being 
a U Boat snorkel.  Kevin pointed out that with a full belly of cargo 
they were now just where the grey wolf wanted them. Kevin was right 
with German ships striking and taking down  two ships straight away and 
badly damaging others which had be abandoned.  The St David was also 
struck but with only a small explosion.  Chao lost his balance, falling 
over and breaking his neck, dying instantly.  The Captain told Kevin to 
stand by for more signals from the other navy ships and went below deck 
to see the damage for himself.  Ben and Yuan were putting Chao back in 
his bunk.  He told everyone that if they wanted to leave the ship they 
could do so but not one of them wanted to. 

CHAPTER SIX By now other merchant ships had seen what had happened and
they sent signals back and forth to each other.  The St David now had a 
small leak and had lost a crew member and now the Captain wanted to try 
to make it to a neutral port.  Wall and Garry were putting some pumps 
together while Seamus was busy making a coffin for Chao.  The next 
evening he was buried at sea with Yuan and Dublai sending their fellow 
countryman off.  Wall and Garry were now working twelve hour shifts 
trying to keep the water out.  The Captain and Maurice were looking at 
the charts and setting a new course for a neutral country.  For the 
next two weeks most of the crew were working twelve hour shifts to stay 
afloat but making little headway.  The Captain praised the men saying 
that he had never seen as good in all his time at sea.  The time soon 
came for the crew to abandon ship as it was sinking gradually with 
nothing more any of them could do.  The Captain said that at least they 
had some time and as it was daylight they were lucky as not so many 
others had this chance. Jake loaded up the biggest lifeboat with as 
much food as he could with Liam putting in blankets, fishing line, some 
flares and as many containers of water as he could.  The Captain told 
the men to get all their papers in order and went up to the wheel house 
for the last time, giving Maurice his last order on the St David to 
lower the lifeboats.  Kevin made a run for the stern and grabbed the 
ship's flag, the Red Duster.  All the men gave him a great cheer as he 
ran back to the lifeboat.  They took turns in rowing with some headway 
being made.  The hardest thing to put up with was the rain with very 
little shelter in an open boat and Gavin caught a bad cold.  The other 
ships would now be home and word would be out as to the whereabouts of 
the St David. Wall thought to himself how his mother would have every 
candle in London bought, lighting them every day with a small prayer.  
Liam and Nawab fished with the lines over the side not having much luck 
while Jake looked after Gavin as his condition had worsened and he now 
had a very bad flu.  With no sign of land or any other ships it was 
hard to say what the chances were of making it.  Gavin finally got 
pneumonia passing away one night in Jake's arms, Jake himself in poor 
health as he had been giving his share of food and water to Gavin.  He 
took the death of his young friend very hard sometimes blaming himself 
for it.  Liam and Garry stitched up some blankets as a coffin and it 
was decided that Gavin would not be buried at sea for another day.  It 
was a time of great sadness and loss for the other men who had grown so 
fond of this brave young man and Jake held on to his personal 
belongings. The next day as the remains were gently passed over the 
side of the boat the Captain said a few words: "a young boy from 
Birmingham, who gave us all great delight in knowing him, once a boy, 
now a man at sea.  Rest in peace Gavin and may God go with you, Amen".  
What happened next took all the men by surprise.  A plane flying 
overhead had spotted them and flew lower with the pilot saluting before 
flying away.  "We've been spotted now, men", said the Captain, "it 
could be anyone who will pick us up".  Not much was said after that.  
The weather took a turn for the worse with the sail having to be 
brought down in order to keep the boat's mast safe.  The men worked 
hard to keep the sea spray out, all taking turns in the bailing out.  
Most of their hands were now full of blisters and fresh water was now 
on rations, down to one cup each per day.  With all the salt air and 
water that was very little for any man in an open boat. In the early 
hours of the following morning Bobby spotted a coaster, the men saying 
that they could not be far from land now but which land they did not 
know.  "Not sure what we are in for men but make sure your papers are 
on you from now on", said the Captain.  Sure enough it was a coaster, a 
German one, which soon pulled alongside their boat, taking them all 
aboard.  Liam fell back on the way up, badly hrting his back.  Wall was 
the last one off the boat and giving it a kick it drifted away having 
served its purpose.  The Captain of the German coaster had broken 
English, telling them that they also did not wear uniforms.  They 
received some food and drink, the Germain Captain telling them that 
they were north of Spain.  He told them that they were headed for 
France and there the men would be taken inland as prisoners of war.  He 
looked regretful as he told the men this and said that they had no 
choice as if they did not do this they would be severely punished.  The 
Captain of the St David  said that he understood and that he would have 
done the same himself, many men like him all sharing the same sorrows. 
Both Captains shook hands, the English one thanking the German one for 
his honesty.  When the coaster reached the French port in two days time 
the men were put into the back of a lorry at the quay side.  They were 
prodded in the back with rifles as they boarded the lorry, this 
affecting Liam the most.  They were all hand cuffed together under 
armed guard, spending the next few hours in the lorry with only one 
stop.  They arrived at the prison during the night, lights shining on 
them, guard dogs barking and even jumping up on them much to the 
laughter of their handlers.  The guards shone their lamps on wooden hut 
doors taking them to Hut 44, one guard saying that this was to be their 
new home with roll call the next day at midday, shouting don't be late 
as he left, much to the amusement of the other guards who started to 
laugh. Only for Bobby who was first they would have been late as all 
overslept, what a start that would have been.  After the roll call the 
head General came over to the new prisoners, as he always done.  He 
told them that he was in charge of the prison and the crew of the St 
David just looked at each other, paying no attention.  This general, 
Helmut, was a true Nazi in the beginning of the war, a very successful 
businessman in the property business owning his first hotel at the age 
of thirty, he only looked out for himself.  He did not really care 
about what went on in the prison, anyone could spot that in no time.  
Most of the prisoners were English or from the U.K. with Royal Navy, 
army, air force and even some other Merchant sea men there.  The huts 
went up as far as fifty with Polish and French men being held prisoner 
at the end of the prison.  The crew of the St David  found their own 
way around the prison and mixed with the other prisoners, one good 
thing about new prisoners meant news of home and of the war.  Cliff and 
Jeff found themselves talking to another Merchant seaman who's name was 
Gareth and from Wales.  Gareth was not from a sea background himself, 
all his family lived inland.  Gareth liked to talk and could have 
talked for Wales even in his own native language. Venturing to the 
other side of the prison, Kevin, Wall and Bobby could see, from a 
distance, just how worse off other prisoners were.  "Look at that", 
said Wall, "if I did not see it for myself I would never have believed 
it how badly treated these men are, they look more like slaves than 
prisoners of war". "Look at the dirt on their boots and clothes", 
replied Kevin.  These men were work slaves.  They stayed there most of 
the day trying to talk to the Polish and the other prisoners but this 
was not easy as they had very little English.  Kevin drew on the ground 
to try and communicate and much to the amusement of the other men he 
would do a little acting as well.  Liam was not so lucky, hardly 
leaving the hut as his back weas so bad and there was nothing the 
prison doctor could do about it.  Seamus was trying his best to help 
but it was Kublai and Yuan who had a few tricks up their sleeve which 
helped Liam the most.  His left shoulder had dropped and he joked to 
the others that he had bought his coat in the dark.  Next day after 
roll call the post was given out.  An emotional time for all in prison 
but a little harder on the men at Hut 44 as no one back home knew what 
was happening or where they were.  All but one which was Maurice who 
had put his faith in the German Captain before they left the ship.  
Maurice, a native of Northen Ireland, had given the Captain his address 
along with another piece of paper marked personal.  Without asking and 
with a nod of his head the German Captain truly understood what to do.  
Some time later he had done just that.  Maurice had never told anyone 
so as not to build up their hopes or put anyone in danger. The next 
roll call was to be the one they would never forget, now time to meet 
their worst nightmare.  It was Augustus who more or less ran the prison 
and his body guard, nicknamed the "rifle man" as it was hardly out of 
his hands.  The other prisoners were ordered back into their huts while 
Augustus went about his work.  He started with the Captain, asking them 
all their names one by one and where they were from.  Garry called out 
his name and said he was from Australia.  "You won't be needing your 
boomerang anymore", grinned Augustus.  "We will see about that", 
retorted Garry.  Augustus moved onto Wall who was holding Liam up a 
little with his arm.  He was hit with a sharp blow from Augustus.  "Let 
go, let go, you pig", he shouted to Wall.  Liam almost fell.  "Look 
here", he continued, turning to the "rifle man", "look, a cripple!"  
They both started laughing.  "Remind me to bring some bananas 
tomorrow", Augustus said when he passed Cliff.  "An some nuts as well", 
he continued, passing Nawab, Kublai and Yuan.  "You dogs, you are at 
the right end of the prison", said Augustus to the Captain.  Wallking 
slowly passed Garry he stopped and turned quickly, punching Garry in 
the stomach, a blow that would have drawn water from a stone. Rising to 
his feet straight away, Garry tried to catch his breath.  "Four days in 
solitary for you tough man", said Augustus.  The Captain stood forward, 
"Why? What for and whose say?" he demanded.  Augustus just laughed, 
returning to him with his answer, "I don't have to explain myself to 
you.  Do you want to join him?  Then get back in line, you pig".  He 
then ordered them back into their huts and that was the last they saw 
of him for the rest of that day.  Gareth spoke to the Captain the next 
day, putting him in the picture about the prison.  He said that Helmut 
had taken over a small vineyard about a mile from the prison spending 
most of his time there, only showing his face at the prison when he had 
to, also that work parties were sent out to the vineyard to work as 
Helmut thought that he owned the place and was very fond of a frink or 
two.  Gareth said that he had been in the prison for two years already 
and that Augustus had been there long before that, having received the 
name "the beast" as he picked on the weak at first but now anyone gets 
it.  He had hurt many men there and there was no shortage out of fifty 
huts to choose from.  Garry was released from confinement after four 
days and all the men in Hut44 had saved a little each of what they 
could for him such as fruit, coffee and even a bar of red cross.  This 
was to go on for some time between Garry and "the beast", with Garry in 
and out of solitary confinement.  "How do you stick it, Garry?" asked 
Wall.  "It's like this Wall", replied Garry, "he can break my bones, 
bruise my body, make me bleed but will never break my spirit". "But 
how?" Wall asked again. "It's the part Aboriginal blood in me, Wall, 
that keeps my spirit going.  If you let him win you'll end up in an 
unmarked grave like the others he put there but that's not for me Wall, 
remember that mate". Adapting to prison life was the key to survival in 
prison.  They all had different jobs to do both for themselves and the 
Germans under armed guard, cleaning toilets, chopping firewood, and 
doing laundry.  Kevin got a job up in the vineyard and found out that 
Helmut was a lover of horses, having his own one.  Bluffing, Kevin let 
on that he also loved horses and said that he had worked as a stable 
boy back home in Scotland, which Helmut was taken in by.  Jake was not 
making it any easier on himself or the rest of the men.  Still not 
talking or mixing with anyone, it was hard to live this way with so 
many men crowded together.  Ben gave it one more try one night, sitting 
beside Jake in a corner.  "Do you know how I got into the Merchant 
Navy",  said Ben.  With no reply he continued "a labourer out of work 
in Belfast for so long, I tied my shovel onto the bicycle, said goodbye 
to the Missus that I was going to try my luck across the sea, working 
my passage as a fireman on the cattle boat going to Liverpool, was 
spotted by the Skipper who asked if I would stay on as fireman.  I 
returned back to Belfast in three days telling the Missus who had a 
good laugh, that's how I got into the Merchant, Jake". "God damn you 
Ben", shouted Jake, "I don't want to hear your God damn stories". "Just 
trying to help you, Jake", replied Ben, a little hurt by his reponse. 
Jake stood up, flipping a cup from a small table.  "If I wanted help I 
would have asked for it".  It was starting to get out of control, 
almost turning into a fistfight.  The Captain and Maurice soon put a 
stop to it, asking what was going on.  "Do you want that thing in the 
black uniform to finish you off Jake?" asked Bobby angrily.  "Pull it 
in before it's too late", he continued, Walking away.  It was said the 
next morning that a man was heard crying that night. 

CHAPTER SEVEN Noticing another work party going out, mostly Polish and
some others from different countries, Seamus asked Patsy did he see 
anything that they reminded him of and to take a good look.  Patsy 
replied that they reminded him of being much younger working in 
Scotland, living in huts just like these ones, going to pick the 
potatoes.  Seamus said that they reminded him of U.S. convoys going 
away in big numbers and coming back in smaller ones, dying where they 
worked, of old age or starvation, many buried in unmarked graves.  
Patsy gave another look agreeing with Seamus and saying how can people 
do this to each other while Walking back to the hut by himself. 
Returning after a gallop, Helmut saw how clean and tidy the stables 
were and praised Kevin for doing such a good job.  He started talking 
to Kevin about how he was going to throw a party for himself and other 
'important people', it was his fiftieth birthday and he was going to 
have fifty guests, one for each year of his life. "May I make a 
suggestion, Sir?" asked Kevin politely. "You may do so", answered 
Helmut. "Our cook, an American, he's often talked about how he has 
worked for people like yourself sir, land owners and oil men and how 
they liked big parties and he knows so much about wine".  Helmut looked 
thoughtful for a moment before replying.  "Oil men, I have heard of 
such men.  Get me this man, if he's good enough for the likes of rich 
Americans he's good enough for me.  I want him straight away, see to 
it". "Yes Sir, I will do just that", Kevin answered, smiling. Breaking 
the news to Jake was going to be tricky.  Kevin got him to one side and 
told him straight out.  "I'm more of a beer man myself Kevin, the food 
and all the rest I can do no problem but I know very little about wine, 
only that it comes in bottles", said Jake with a smile.  "I'll find out 
what the French and Polish know about it", said Kevin.  A little rusty, 
Jake soon got back into what he knew best, food and how to cook it.  
With help from Nawab, Kublai and Yuan, the party went well and for just 
one night, war and prison were nearly forgotten.  It was good for the 
men all round of Hut 44.  Jake returned to his usual self and was now 
working up in the vineyard, sometimes staying overnight after small 
parties.  Jake brought plenty back to Hut 44, food and drink and both 
he and Kevin were working well together.  Once again Jake found himself 
baking and Ben was the first to find this out as some home-made bread 
and scones were brought back to him.  Sharing them together Jake could 
hardly look Ben in the eye as they both had been through so much 
together.  Ben thanked Jake for the bread saying that it was a kind 
thought.  Patsy and the others were soon over and it turned out to be 
the best night every in Hut 44.  Breaking out of this prison was nearly 
impossible with guard dogs at each side of the wire and the ever 
looming presence of Augustus and Gerhard made it even worse but this 
did not stop men from trying.  Thinking of escaping on only their 
second day in prison, the time had now come after planning for so long 
and the right men to pick.  Kevin, Andrzej and David managed it, now on 
the other side of the wire running, in the early hours of the morning, 
running as fast and hard as they could, a head start was to be the best 
chance.  Just before daylight all three stopped, what was going to 
happen next was all part of the plan, there was to be no ill feelings 
or long goodbyes, it was all about freedom, for themselves and for all 
the prisoners; freedom.  Drawing sticks out of Andrzej's hand to see 
who had the shortest, it was David, he was to be the unlucky one.  Time 
not on their side, Kevin and Andrzej changed into another pair of shoes 
which had been left in a bucket of mixed diesel and vodka to put the 
dogs off their scent.  Quickly they turned and made their getaway, 
David now by himself went another way still in with a chance but 
knowing that he most likely would be followed. All three planned this 
as they knew Augustus would never give in chasing them also if the 
single man was caught it would buy the other two men more time.  It was 
in later years of life that Kevin received a letter from Poland, from 
Andrzej's daughter telling him that her father had passed away.  Back 
in prison  after roll call all hell broke out.  Augustus got a party 
together within minutes, the three men were now hunted men with their 
worst nightmare after them.  All the prisoners were locked back into 
their huts, talking among themselves.  Patsy asked Liam what did he 
think of their chances.  Liam replied that they would need luck and 
lots of it, to get to a train station as quick as they could and to 
remain calm, to keep their wits about them.  All three had a chance and 
maybe by now they would have at least a ten hour start.  The Captain 
asked did anyone know about the planned escape but he got no answer.  
Someone did know, as it was Jake who had provided them with the diesel, 
vodka and all the other necessaries but he had kept his lips zipped, 
again all part of the plan. A day had passed, back to routine as best 
they could, still now news going into the third day now with Helmut 
back in charge of the prison.  Fourth day it was still looking good as 
by now others who had tried to escape had been caught.  Other search 
parties had been sent out in the meantime and it was on the sixth day 
in the afternoon that Augustus's men arrived back with David in the 
back of their lorry.  Nothing else happened that afternoon, it was in 
the early hours of the next morning that the men on the prison were 
woken by the cries of pain from David who was being tortured by 
Augustus which went on for hours with breaks in between so that all 
could hear.  After roll call Augustus showed his face, no one was to 
leave where they were standing. David was then dragged out, put up 
against the fence, all the men were still standing, not to move or they 
would be shot by the guards on the lookout towers.  Augustus gave a 
speech and after that Gerhard shot David and there the body stayed 
until late that night for all to see.  Augustus returned with another 
fresh party of men still searching for Kevin and Andrzej.  He tried for 
another three days not wanting to admit that the other two men were 
gone.  He was beaten by them and in a way also by David as at the cost 
of his own life by falling into a trap, he gave the other two men all 
the time they needed.  It was Garry who spotted a change in the prison. 
 "Do you see that Wall, look, not many work parties going out as much 
as they used to also Helmut is here most of the time, what do you make 
of it mate?" he said to Wall.  "Yes Garry, also I noticed that there 
aren't as many planes flying overhead as well, wonder what that means", 
replied Wall.  After all these weeks still furious from what had 
happened, Augustus was going around the prison like a bear with a thorn 
in his paw.  He was about to take that out on two more men of Hut 44 
and the Captain of the St David  was about to loose another crew 
member. 

CHAPTER EIGHT Liam and Cliff were stacking some firewood up against the
hut, carrying some in their arms.  Turning around the corner of the 
hut, Cliff, by accident, bumped into Augustus and tried to apologise 
but Augustus gave him no chance of any sort and started beating him.  
He then started to beat him with one of the logs, Liam trying to stop 
him but was hit with the butt of his rifle.  By now Cliff waw lying on 
his back and made an attempt to stand up but was then shot twice in the 
chest.  Liam went for Augustus but was too weak after the hard blow 
from the rifle.  Augustus turned on Liam calling him a stupid, clumsy 
fool and beat him over and over causing him to bleed badly and fall to 
the ground.  The shots had been heard by now and a crowd had gathered 
including Helmut.  "Stop!" he shouted, "What is going on here?"  
Augustus blamed Liam and Cliff saying that he had been attacked.  For 
once he stood up for the men; "don't tell me such foolish things", he 
said to Augustus.  Augustus still tried to lie his way out of it and 
began to argue with Helmut, Helmut telling him that even the other 
guards had had enough of his ways by now.  Helmut then ordered for Liam 
to be taken to the prison hospital, which Wall and Bobby saw to.  He 
then told everyone to go and from then on he took full control. Before 
when anyone was being buried it was done by the work parties such as 
the Polish and others but now under Helmut's order it was done by 
members of the Hut that they were sharing.  Seamus was called on once 
again to make a coffin for Cliff and the colours of the Jamaican flag 
were painted on top of the coffin just as he would have wanted.  Jeff 
took the rest of Cliff's belongings, photos and some old letters he 
always carried with him.  Cliff was buried the next day.  Liam was 
still in the prison hospital with little improvement.  Wall and Bobby 
took it in turns to visit him, one of them always by his side, sleeping 
on a bedside chair.  Jeff was very upset over Cliff's death, now 
knowing what to do, finding himself Wallking aimlessly around the 
prison.  One day he was at an all time low looking out at all the 
graves.  It was Gareth who helped Jeff and they talked a lot.  Gareth 
said that he had seen so much in his time there that he had grown tough 
and that he had no tears left.  "I know just what you mean Gareth, just 
now I'm full of hate and all the rest that goes with it", said Jeff. 
Drifting in and out of sleep, Liam saw Wall beside him, asking how long 
had he been like this.  Wall told him that he had been like this for a 
few days now, then Liam asked him to get Bobby.  Wall did so and they 
both stood looking at Liam, not knowing what he was going to do next.  
Liam started to talk first; "I know you will think I'm daft but I know 
by time is near to go to the next world.  I've been dreaming of my 
boyhood days and my parents and it was all very clear.  He also told 
them that his brother was in his dreams.  Wall said that he was always 
a dreamer, trying to cheer him up.  "Not like this Wall", answered Liam 
"this is too much like the real thing. Listen Wall and Bobby, do me a 
favour, don't let all of this destroy you, you are both still very 
young and have a full life in front of you.  Promise to let it all go 
once you leave here, that's also in my dreams".  Bobby was trying hard 
not to cry, agreeing with Liam.  Then Liam asked them to let Tony know 
when the time came but not to tell him about all the bad things that 
had happened as he would take it to heart.  "Leave it to me Liam", said 
Wall,  "I will see to that".  Liam was now finding it difficult to 
talk.  He took off his watch handing it to Wall, saying that it was all 
he had left.  "I will make sure that Tony gets it if it's the last 
thing that I do", said Wall.  Liam said that he was starting to dream 
again, this time of two young men on motorbikes looking for somewhere 
to pitch a tent.  "They are going to stay nearby and I am glad about 
that", he said, closing his and going into his last sleep, passing away 
in front of them.  Wall and Bobby could no longer hold back the tears.  
The St David lost another crew member and Seamus set about making 
another coffin, the second one in a matter of days.  Helmut had ordered 
Augustus and Gerhard not to be seen at the burial the next day as 
tension was very high and all the guards were no longer taking any 
orders from them, wanting nothing more to do with them.  As Liam's 
coffin was being lowered Garry was a real tower of strength and he 
started singing Waltzing Matilda right to the end.  It was a very 
lonely night at Hut 44 that night. Prison life remained the same with 
work going on from day to day and roll call still at midday.  One day a 
game of cricket was to be held.  It was suggested that all the forces 
would make up a team from the Merchant navy and the other French and 
Polish prisoners.  The Captain told the news to his men back at the Hut 
but very little interest was shown at first.  Jake stood up joking; 
"come on chaps, lets not be rotters, there's good fellows".  Garry then 
said "good idea old boy, good show, count me in.  How about you Wall, 
young man?"  Wall looked around him first, then said, "jolly good show, 
tip top form old boy, count me in".  The  teams were picked and even 
some of the guards watched the game and clapped, it went on for some 
time with the day passing quickly. Standing near the entrance one day, 
Patsy and Ben were talking among themselves when a dispatch rider came 
passing by and went straight to Helmut who was standing outside his 
hut.  Helmut saluted, the gesture not returned, instead the rider took 
the bag from his shoulder.  Handing him a large package the rider 
turned and headed back to the entrance of the prison.  Passing Ben and 
Patsy on the way he said to them both "see you in Piccadilly Tommy".  
Patsy laughed saying that his name was not Tommy.  They saw Helmut 
reading a letter and decided to see what the others made of it.  
Passing on what they had seen some of the men made nothing of it and 
others had their own thoughts on the matter but it certainly was very 
different, all agreed on that.  A couple of hours later Helmut was 
waiting for a lorry with two guards and told Augustus that he was in 
charge.  He said that he had to go away for a while and it would be 
late that night before he would be back.  He then told his guards to 
pick two men to go with them and as Wall and Garry were standing nearby 
they were picked.  Off they went to the vineyard and there Wall and 
Garry were ordered to load up the lorry with what Helmut ordered.  
"It's all the very best stuff that we're loading up, there's nowhere 
for this back at the prison, know what I mean Garry". "For sure I do, 
Wall.  Helmut is over at the stable, look Wall, that looks a bit dodgy, 
he's let the horse go". Back at the prison Augustus was on the war path 
once again only this time with the guards, most of them taking no 
notice of him and looking as if they were about to go elsewhere.  
Augustus and Gerhard were back at it and shouting at the prisoners.  It 
was Nawab who got it first as he was pushed to the ground.  Augustus 
went straight for the others, making a swing at Jake who was in front 
saying "get out of my way you stupid cowboy".  Jake ducked under his 
arms then struck him with a kitchen knife right in the stomach, pushing 
in the knife as far as he could.  Augustus dropped to the ground, 
holding on to Jake. Gerhard pointed his rifle at Jake and Nawab knocked 
it out of his hand but not before Gerhard got a shot at Jake to the 
shoulder.  It was Bobby who now took on Gerhard who now met his match.  
The two men fought hard with no mercy on either side.  This went on for 
some time, hard to tell who was winning at times, Gerhard being that 
bit taller and strong as a horse.  He threw Bobby around but Bobby 
began to get the better of him, dropping him to the ground with a 
couple of sharp blows to the body and then to the head.  Bobby turned 
around with Gerhard lying on the ground bleeding badly from his face.  
Bobby lifted his shirt to his face to clean the blood away.  Suddenly 
three shots went off with Jeff holding the rifle having shot Gerhard 
who had been going for a knife from his boot.  "Thanks Jeff", smiled 
Bobby.  "It was my pleasure Bobby", replied Jeff.  The guards were now 
running towards the men when suddenly a loud burst of machine gun fire 
went off, taking one of the guards down from the entrance look-out post 
followed by more fire from the heavy guns.  The prison gates were blown 
to the sky with a tank coming through followed by jeeps.  It was Kevin 
and Andrzej. 

CHAPTER NINE Up in the vineyard, Wall spotted the guards doing a runner.
 The dispatch rider had told the guards outside of the prison that the 
war was now over and that the English were on their way.  The guards 
who believed him had not told the S.S. about it.  Helmut believed it as 
he was planning to make a run for it.  "Come on Wall", said Garry 
"follow me".  Helmut who was taking a painting down from the Wall saw 
the two men coming for him.  He went for his side arm and in a struggle 
between him and Garry the gun went off hitting Helmut in the leg.  "You 
knew all along what was going to happen", said Garry.  "My family", 
cried Helmut, "they are waiting for me, let me go". "No", said Wall 
firmly. "I was only doing my job, you understand", pleaded Helmut.  
Garry tied him up before putting him into the back of the lorry.  
"There's only one place for you", said Garry, "you've seen many men go 
there and it's a place you won't like, it's solitary for you". On their 
way back to the prison there were many planes flying overhead.  "Look 
at that Garry", said Wall "there must be a least a hundred of them". 
"Quick Wall, get some sort of white flag out or we will be their first 
target", said Garry.  Back at the prison there was much joy as Kevin 
told them all about how they had made it and about David.  The next day 
when all the excitement had calmed down, Kevin and Andrzej went to 
David's grave.  Kevin then going to Liam's and Cliff's, staying on at 
the prison for the next few days, waiting for arrangements to go back 
home.  Their time came, the last couple of hours being the worst, the 
waiting seemed to last forever.  Ben was the last man out of the 
prison, turning to take his last look at the graves and Hut 44.  Back 
in England the men said their last goodbyes to each other like so many 
others who had started out together but were now going their separate 
ways.  Wall and Bobby were some of the lucky few and they both knew 
that. Saying goodbye to Garry was hard.  Wall asked Garry what he was 
going to do next, Garry replying that he was going to spend some proper 
time with his family then take a trip out to the bush for some time.  
Wall and Bobby were the last to go, now waiting for a train once more 
to take them back home.  Knowing they were back in England, Wally, Mary 
and Linda were waiting for them, staying indoors all day.  At last Wall 
and Bobby arrived, stopping off at Linda's first, Wall getting no 
further as Wally and Mary made their way there.  It was hard to believe 
that they were both home again after such a long time and there were 
many tears that night.  Wall hardly left the house for the next couple 
of weeks.  The war was still going on but not for much longer as the 
day that it was all to end wasn't far away.  For some time now Wall was 
working at different jobs as he was very unsettled and thinking of Liam 
most days.  Wally got him a job working along with him at railway 
maintenance and tried to help his son out as much as he could.  By now 
Wall had told his Dad and some others what had happened in the prison 
and about Liam.  Wally could see this in his son, as he himself knew 
what war could do to men. At work one day Wally asked Wall was he 
looking forward to the weekend, Wall replying that he was.  "Have you 
seen Bobby in the last few weeks?" asked Wally.  "No dad", replied 
Wall, "he told me to wait till the 'big night' and asked me to go back 
to the changing rooms before the bell goes.  "Tell him we'll be there", 
said Wally.  Bobby had found his own true path with four wins under his 
belt already and now a professional boxer making a name for himself.  
At home now, Mary and Laura had just arrived back from a trip to 
Ireland, Wally asking them did they bring anything back for them.  Mary 
replied that she did, pulling out a handful of envelopes from her 
handbag, also handing some to Wall, saying they were for Garry.  They 
were from Michael Kelly, invitations to his wedding in six weeks time.  
Mary also said that there was one for Bobby and Fred, Wall saying that 
he would pass them on to them after the weekend. Stopping his opponent 
in the third round, Bobby won all five of his professional fights.  He 
was delighted with the invitation from Michael, happy to be going away 
for a week. Wall had got his motorbike up and running once again and 
wanted to make a visit somewhere else before the wedding which was just 
around the corner.  Wall was leaving home two weeks before everyone 
else.  Just about to leave, having started up the motorbike, Wally ran 
after him shouting for him to stop.  "What's wrong Dad?" asked Wall.  
Wally asked his son was he ok and Wall replied that he was, that he was 
going to see someone who he had not seen in a very long time, Liam's 
brother Tony.  Wally replied that he already knew this as Bobby had 
told him already.  "Are we alright, son?" asked Wally.  "Of course Dad, 
why would you ask that?" smiled Wall.  "Don't mind me, son, it's just 
after all that's happened a man gets worried easily".  Wall looked at 
his Dad, "Come here Dad", he said, sticking out his hand as Wally came 
closer.  "Put it there Dad!" laughed Wall, his father delighted with 
this gesture.  "See you in Ireland Dad", said Wall, letting go of his 
hand and starting up the motorbike once again.  "Mind how you go son", 
shouted Wally as his son rode away, lifting his leg a little as a wave 
goodbye. Wall was now by himself, heading for the boat in Liverpool 
once more, passing all the spots that he had passed before with Bobby, 
seeing all the old sights.  Getting off the boat in Belfast the next 
morning, one of the crew of the ship said to Wall that it was a good 
day for travelling and asked him where was he going.  Wall said that he 
was not going far and they both wished each other all the best.  Along 
the road Wall thought to himself that what that man had said was true, 
it was a good day, a good day indeed. THE END 


Tweet