Chapter Four
Alex Waters soon recovered from his experiences at Dunkirk and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Ruth took great pleasure in sewing on the third strip for she was so proud of him. Most nights he was free of duty and he made a bee-line for the village of Winterbourne. Sometimes however she was busy improving her shorthand so he had to spend the evening at the Church hall, usually playing table tennis. Other evenings he would spend either walking along the country lanes with Ruth, or sitting in their house making conversation with her brothers.
He enjoyed the walks with Ruth, holding hands, except when someone was in sight. Then she would withdraw her hand quickly because she was very shy. In a hidden gateway, he would stop, take her in his arms and kiss her gently. They were very much in love and hoped that this would go on for ever. It didn’t. Several weeks later Sergeant Waters was posted away and so the romantic walks ceased. It was a sad farewell. Both had tears in their eyes as they parted at the garden gate – the scene of their first kiss.
The new camp was a hundred miles away but to the young lovers it seemed worlds away. Letters were frequent and occasional telephone calls eased matters. Both would find a telephone booth, Alex outside the camp, Ruth in the village. He would ring her kiosk number and be told that the waiting time was one or two hours. They would wait outside the booths, waiting for the phones to ring, to hear the sound of the other’s voice. Three minutes of heaven after a two hour wait and both would return home, happy as could be and repeating the conversation over and over again.
The basic training at the new camp was very boring for Alex and he decided to join the Combined Operation Group as a commando. Jackie Emmerson was horrified.
“Have you told Ruth that you’re volunteering for them?” said Jackie.
“No way! I’ll tell her I’ve been posted. She won’t understand if I tell her that I volunteered”.
“I should think not,” snorted Jackie, “you must be mad. You’ve got a smashing girl who thinks the world of you and you want to dice with death. Think of her, not yourself.”
“What makes you think I’m going to get killed Jackie?” Alex replied.
“Because the mortality rate is high and you’re daft enough for anything. Forget it, we’ll go abroad sometime. That will be soon enough for me.”
Alex could not be dissuaded and in a few days his papers went off to Command headquarters. He didn’t have long to wait, a telephone message came through instructing Sergeant Waters to report to Girvan in Scotland. Alex was jubilant and greeted Jackie with the good news. Jackie had remained a private soldier but had a high regard for his sergeant friend.
“Well, old son. It’s been nice knowing you. I probably won’t see you again after tomorrow but if you do come through everything, give me a call in Consett.”
Alex laughed. “I’m coming through alright and I intend to marry Ruth and take her back to Newcastle with me so you’ll be seeing her too.”
Alex went up to Girvan where he underwent several tests before being accepted. On the return journey in the train he had plenty of time to think over his decision as the train took nine hours to get to London and another three hours to get down to camp. Had he done the right thing in volunteering? Was he fit enough to take the punishing exercises and work they did in training? What about Ruth – did he owe it to her to forgo this adventure? Had he the right to choose such a dangerous life? He began to think of the stories he had heard of these people and of the men he had met in Scotland and he made up his mind. He would leave his unit in search of adventure; and he would trust in God to see him through. The thoughts churned in his mind as he sat looking out of the coach window, oblivious to the passing scenery as the train chugged slowly through changing countryside.
Having made up his mind Alex signed the papers and was accepted for training with Combined Operations. He was given three days’ leave and decided not to go home but to go down to see Ruth. Ruth was delighted to see him but being wise in the ways of servicemen demanded to know why he was on leave. Alex told her he had been posted to Combined Operations but made a joke of the actual dangers involved. She was not convinced for she had heard many stories of the daring deeds of the commandos. He comforted her by taking her in his arms and telling her not to worry. He would take no chances and that he would probably not be sent abroad. “I love you,” he said, “I couldn’t live without you.”
“I love you too – that’s why I don’t want you to go. I would die if anything happened to you.” Alex thrilled to hear her spill out her love for him and he tilted up her chin, looked into her eyes and said, “Ruth will you marry me one day?”
Ruth looked at him for what seemed a long time.
“Yes I will, but not yet,” she replied.
“Then can we become engaged now?” Alex said, excitement in his voice. He held his breath waiting for the answer.
“Yes dear, but we should ask mother first I think,” said Ruth with a beautiful smile.
“Come on, we’ll do it now. Your mother’s still in the house.”
They walked back to the house to speak to her mother. They found her in the kitchen preparing tea when they walked in on her. She turned to greet them and saw immediately that they were excited about something. Alex spoke. “Mum. Would you mind if Ruth and I became engaged?” Mother looked at each one in turn. She had been expecting this but somehow it had come as a shock. She looked at Alex and spoke.
“Well Alex, you’ve been like another son to me these last two years so I must agree to your engagement. You’re not thinking of a wedding yet are you?”
“Oh no, another year I think Mum.” And he kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll take care of your lovely daughter for you, have no fear.”
Ruth’s mother looked at them both again and saw the happiness in their eyes. She knew that she had lost a daughter but had gained a son. Having told Ruth of his plans, Alex felt relieved and began to look forward with great excitement to his new posting.
--0--
He reported to his new unit in Devon, three weeks later and within hours was being examined in all aspects of training. With him was a young chap, Ken, from Dorset, who had been a farm labourer in civil life. He too had yearned for some excitement and after he had completed six weeks’ training with the Dorset Regiment he had volunteered to serve with the Commandos although he knew little about them. He found the training very hard and had to be helped out several times by the sergeant with him. Alex loved the life. He enjoyed the rigorous, outdoor training and was delighted when they were told that they were going to Scotland for a final six weeks’ course.
The train journey to Scotland was uneventful, except for the odd air raid alarm, when the train would stop and wait for the all clear to go. On arrival at Spean Bridge a tough-looking sergeant ordered them to leave the train and to put on their kit haversacks.
“The camp is 7½ miles away. You have one hour to get there. Anyone failing to do so will be returned to their unit,” roared the sergeant.
Alex looked at Ken, shrugged his shoulders and grinned! They all set off running, then walking with about 50 lbs. of equipment on their backs. No words were spoken on the journey and it was a relief when the squad finally arrived at the camp. Outside the camp were fifty tombstones with the names of the dead soldiers and the reasons for their deaths on them. The soldiers were very quiet as they read each epitaph. Little did they know then that there were no dead soldiers under the tombstones, and that this was a psychological ploy; a test for the new recruits
Alex and Ken were separated but were determined to remain friends. Alex moved into a Nissen hut, threw his kit onto a bed and looked round. The steel ribs of the hut were behind the bed. The bed itself however had what he had been looking for, space to hang his photograph of Ruth. Having done that he proceeded to empty his bag and settle in. Training was hard, and although Alex was as very fit he was quite tired when he returned from a 35 mile route march.
He enjoyed canoeing in the white wat
ers of the local rivers, often returning sodden. The ‘Death Slide’ was a cable stretching from a tree up a mountain, across a river in a deep valley, down to a tree near the camp. Alex hated it and always said a prayer when he slid his hand through a loop in a piece of wire, threw it over the cable, slid his other hand in another loop and then jumped. He would hurtle through the air at great speed while soldiers fired live ammunition around you. Ruth was never far away from Alex’s thought as he flew through the air.
Four weeks passed quickly and everyone felt much fitter than on arrival. In spite of the long training days Alex still found time to write letters to his Ruth, letters full of love. Ruth too, wrote often, and her letters told him how much she was missing him.
The course was of six weeks’ duration, and two weeks of this was spent in the hills where they had to exist on what food they could find. They were sent out in pairs and Alex was glad to be with his young Dorset friend who was well-versed in country lore and so was well aware of anything poisonous in the hills. It was he who caught a field mouse and a rabbit in the first few hours. He knew where to look for beetles and other insects which when crushed could be swallowed to supply much needed protein. They survived the two weeks. Both men had lost a few pounds but were in fine physical shape and with their weather-beaten faces, looked a picture of health.
The training over, the soldiers returned to Devon to await their posting to an active-service unit. The two men were pleased when they learnt that they had been posted together to 43rd Regiment. Alex was still a sergeant while Ken had been promoted to lance corporal, the first rung on the promotion ladder. They reported to the office for further instructions, to be told that they had been granted seven days leave. Ken tried hard to persuade his friend to go to Dorset with him but Alex would have none of it. He was desperate to see his fiancée again. They had sent many letters to each other but this only fuelled the fires of love.
It was late when he arrived at Salisbury and so he had no transport home. But he was quite undeterred by a mere five mile walk ahead of him. He took a short cut by walking along the main railway line which led past Ruth’s home. He was soon home and he tapped gently on the door. After what seemed an eternity, he heard the key turn in the lock and the door slowly opened. A head peeped round the door and a voice enquired who it was. The voice was that of Ruth. Alex eased the door open, stepped inside and in a sweeping movement took her in his arms, stilling her startled gasp by pressing his lips against hers. Her wide eyes looked up at him then she surrendered to his arms. They stood like this for moments. Alex could feel the soft body through the clinging nightdress and he responded. The heavenly moments were shattered by the sleepy voice of Ruth’s mother demanding to know who it was.
“It’s Alex,” gasped Ruth, “It’s alright mum, I’ll take care of him. He wants a cup of tea.”
Unfortunately Mrs Rowdon insisted on joining them and soon, all three were sitting down and drinking tea – Alex eating sandwiches, using up the week’s ration of cheese but not realizing it of course. Soldiers were well fed without the bother of ration cards. They sat and talked for an hour. Alex hoped that the old lady would go to bed, leaving him with Ruth but whether by accident or intent, she remained downstairs with them till Alex intimated that it was time for all to go to bed. They all went to bed and he barely had time to give Ruth’s hand a squeeze before she left him for her room.
The seven days slipped by very quickly. Most of it seemed to be visiting relatives. This was a chore but he felt it had to be done for Ruth was evidently very proud of her sergeant. In the evenings they went for walks around the village often stopping to speak to one of Ruth’s village friends and their soldier friends. Most of the village girls had been taken over by the soldiers of the camp and the Tyneside accent was frequently heard when Alex walked out. He had lost most of his accent now, due to the correction by Ruth and his service with south-country soldiers.
Alex was very much in love and loved to hold Ruth in his arms, especially in the warm weather when she wore thin summer dresses and he could feel her body pressing against him in his embrace. He made no move to caress her body nor did he demand more than kisses. He did not want to ruin his life. Ruth was steadfast in her belief that there was plenty of time for body knowledge after marriage.
Once again he said farewell to her and he felt that he had convinced her that the work in which he was involved was not as dangerous as she had thought. He smiled grimly to himself as he thought of this as he knew that on his return he would be sent off on a raid – to where, he did not know.
Alex arrived back to find Ken studying the notice board.
“We’re off to Girvan tomorrow,” he said, turning to greet his friend, “did you have a good leave?”
“Marvellous!” said Alex. “Rather short though.”
“You didn’t get yourself married I hope.” Ken replied, laughing.
“Married? Me? No way. There’s plenty of time for that when I’ve finished playing war games,” retorted Alex. They went on their way together, chatting – obviously pleased to see each other again.
The train puffed its way slowly up the west of England, stopping here and there for water and twice when the air raid sirens warned of an air raid in the district. These stoppages lengthened the journey to double the estimated time and there were many tired and bored soldiers who detrained at Glasgow. Vehicles met them and bore them to their camp and so to bed, only to be woken at dawn to ‘Stand-to’ to get up and guard the camp.
Three days later Alex was called into the Colonel’s office to be told that there was to be a raid and that he was to be in charge of the demolitions. His task was to blow up a small factory which was in German hands. He would be escorted by a section of ten men to protect him and they would have another Royal Engineer to help him with the charges of explosives. The colonel discussed the task with him, going over the plan with him several times and then sent for the covering party. A young officer, barely in his twenties and ten men appeared. Alex was delighted to see that Ken was one of the soldiers. They were introduced and the rest of the plan was produced and discussed. With a bit of luck the raiding party would be in and out without meeting opposition.
The next day the party left for Oxford to pick up the equipment needed for the task. Alex carefully checked the explosives and detonators and felt reasonably confident that he could carry out the task given to him. They then all left for Portsmouth where a Motor Torpedo Boat was to take them to their destination. They boarded the craft in the early evening and were told to have a sleep while they could. Alex couldn’t sleep, his mind was too active. He looked around him. Some of the more experienced soldiers were already asleep but he saw that Ken was awake. He too was having a problem getting to sleep.
Alex went through the plan again and again and then thought of Ruth. She would be preparing for bed now, little dreaming that he was on the high seas, bound for France, on his first raid. He dozed, waking with a start every few minutes and he was quite pleased when they were told to prepare for Action Stations.
The soldiers were silent, each with his own thoughts. Alex felt his heart pumping and his throat was dry. How well would he react to this kind of fighting? He spoke to Ken but didn’t recognize his own voice. Were the others feeling like this? He wondered. They all looked calm and composed and this soothed Alex and he began to feel more comfortable. ‘H’ hour arrived and they silently disappeared into the darkness.
Once off the boat Alex became a new man. He made his way to the target, which was a small factory near the waterfront of a large village. With great coolness Alex laid the charges, taking great care that his demolition was going to be a success. At last he was satisfied and waved back his support group. They disappeared into the night, covering his departure. He lit the safety fuse and moved back quickly. When he had re-joined his comrades, they all set off, back to the beach. Half way to the sands, the stillness was shattered by a great explosion. The air was filled with debris and the whole ar
ea was lit up as flames reached high into the sky. The soldiers smiled with delight, their teeth gleaming white in their blackened faces. They hurried to the point where they were to be picked up, for they could hear the harsh voices of the German soldiers as they searched the area for the intruders.
They found the marker and waited tensely in the grey light of dawn. The minutes ticked by. The guttural voices of the enemy could be heard quite close now and they had with them their guard dogs which snarled and barked as they strained at their leashes. The soldiers looked anxiously out at the grey sea and then one of them touched Alex on the arm and pointed. There, slowly looming out of the dawn was their craft. They quickly waded out to it and were hauled aboard in seconds. Just in time they thought as the Germans burst onto the beach. Bullets slapped against the boat but it quickly disappeared from view and Alex and his team relaxed, laughing with pleasure at the outcome of the raid. Soon they were drinking mugs of hot tea and eating food with great relish. Alex felt elated. What a night. This was what he had hoped for when he had volunteered. No doubt there would be more to come.
Ken was quiet now that the tension had broken. He was feeling a little nauseous. He was thinking that only he had been nervous, the rest seemed to be so relaxed, so unafraid. Even Alex, on his first raid, looked quite calm. Little did he know of course that most of the younger soldiers had been scared but they had managed to conceal it; just as he had done from his fellow soldiers.
The young officer went to each member of the raiding party to congratulate him on his effort. Ken told him that he had been afraid and was astonished when the young officer laughed in his face and told him that he had not been able to stop his teeth chattering, and slapping Ken on the back, told him that he was going to ask for him on the next raid. Ken smiled with relief and sought out his friend Alex who greeted him warmly and they discussed the whole raid till the boat arrived back in Portsmouth.
Here they were separated, Ken going back to barracks and Alex being taken to headquarters to give his version of the raid. He was congratulated on his demolition and he left for barracks, feeling very pleased with himself and his night’s work.
Weeks passed and although training was interesting Alex couldn’t wait for the next raid. He was delighted when he was told to report for an Orders Group, when he would be given details of another raid. He and his fellow soldiers were warned that this would be a very big raid and so casualties could be expected. Strangely enough no one considered themselves as a likely candidate for death or even wounding.
They set off for Scotland and Scapa Flow where they anchored till the assault group were all there. The North Sea was at its worst, 30 feet waves smashed against the ships, so the raid was put back a day. The waves had lessened so off went the ships led by a battleship, destroyers either side guarding the commandos.
Alex stood on deck watching as the ships made their way to Norway. His thoughts were centred on Ruth. How lucky he was to have a girl like Ruth, he prayed for the war to finish so he could marry her and take her north to Newcastle. His musings were cut short as the stand-by warnings were broadcast. He put on the rest of his kit and stood waiting with his friends.
Nearing the objective he boarded his small boat, a landing craft. The team made its way to the small town which was being shelled by the cruiser with planes dropping smoke bombs to hide the approach of the landing craft. Racing ashore Alex began his work by blowing up a tank, then setting fire to a German storeroom and some accommodation. He darted around a corner to join his comrades when he ran full tilt into a burly German. The German was the first to respond drawing his Luger pistol but Alex grabbed his arm, pulled him over his hip twisting his hand at the same time so that the German shot himself. Alex kept the Luger and then raced on to complete his work of demolitions. At 0400 hrs. they were called to retire and they did so - a job well done. Returning to their billets they were given a week’s leave so Alex returned to Winterbourne and cuddled his lovely girl.
--0—
Two weeks later the unit began to train for the next task. This involved cliff climbing and abseiling so they moved to Bracklesham Bay to practise these skills. Ken being rather heavy found cliff climbing rather difficult but the lighter Alex enjoyed the new activities. Abseiling he loved and very quickly he was descending cliffs in seconds by means of thirty feet jumps down the cliff face. During one of the abseiling days he was asked to demonstrate the art to some new recruits. Grasping the rope, he wrapped it round himself, showing the spectators how to do it. He then lowered himself slowly over the edge of the cliff and began the descent. He was two thirds of the way down when the rope snapped and Alex went tumbling down the cliff. The soldiers looked down and saw him lying in a crumpled heap. Quickly the instructors scrambled down the cliff and raced to his side. Alex was unconscious. A medical orderly took charge, first ensuring that he was still alive. An ambulance raced to the scene and carefully they lifted him onto the stretcher and into the vehicle. Minutes later he was on his way to hospital, accompanied by his friend, Ken and the medical orderly.
Meanwhile, the Sergeant-Major had turned to the other soldiers and had made them redouble their efforts in training. Accidents were accepted as routine to this type of soldier. Gently they carried Alex into hospital where he was examined thoroughly by a team of doctors. He slowly opened his eyes, smiled weakly, sighed and fell back into unconsciousness. They prepared him for surgery and wheeled him into the operating theatre. Three hours later he came out still unconscious and was wheeled away to the ward. Here he was put to bed and a young nurse sat in vigil at his bedside. It was some hours later when he regained consciousness. The first, slight movement had the nurse on her feet, hovering over him like a dove.
He opened his eyes and looked around without moving his head. He tried to speak but the nurse motioned him to be quiet and not to speak. He looked at her, smiled again and dropped off into a deep, healthy sleep. It was morning when he next awoke and there, still with him was the same nurse.
“Hello nurse.” he said weakly.
“Hello Sergeant. Now don’t talk too much, you’re still weak,” replied the pretty, young nurse, tucking in his sheets.
“What have I broken nurse?” he asked.
“You’ll hear all in good time. The doctor will keep you informed.”
“Have you been with me all night nurse?” Alex asked her softly
“Yes, I couldn’t leave you till you came to. I’ll go now. Nurse Thompson is here to keep an eye on you. Be a good boy,” she said with a twinkle in her eye and a flashing smile. Patting his cheek she departed.
Nurse Thompson came along and took her place but somehow it wasn’t quite the same thought Alex and fell asleep, dreaming of a young nurse who had nursed him back to consciousness.