Intermission Volume 2

By Marc Twine

A brief respite from today's busy times -- for those who love to read...and believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marc Twine
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311075062

Marc Twine

Retired Critical Care nurse

Book preview

Intermission, Volume 2

by Marc Twine

Copyright 2014 Marc Twine

Smashwords Edition

Table of Contents

For King and Country

Butterflies Are Free

Number Please ?

If You Live Long Enough

Stickball

Take A Number

Things Go Better With Coke

Tom's Thumbs

(Tricks not Treats)

Waltzing Matilda

About The Author

For King and Country

Worchestershire Barracks

12 September 1914

My Dearest Darling Dahlia,

I know it's been a while since you heard from me, but I've been doing the King's work. I've enclosed a photograph that shows I'm now an official member of the Royal Grenadiers, Devonshire Regiment. And a corporal! (Oh joy!). I hope you're proud. I am.

Now that the ignoble Hun has decided to test our mettle -- I'm ready, willing and able to engage him. Can't wait to cross the channel and give him what for! This won't take long. Rumor has it that we'll all be home by Christmas.

I might just be a company clerk, but my contribution will count, too! And my sergeant says that I'm quite good with a bayonet. I can only hope that I get the chance to participate before this distraction is over.

Meanwhile, I love you with all my heart and I'll be home soon.

Yours faithfully,

Dan

~~~

It's a  war! Colonel Richardson was addressing the company. "There must be war because of the treachery. Lord Kitchener, hero of the Sudan, King George V himself, Winston Churchill, now First Lord of The Admiralty -- all have said we have no choice. And the Kaiser, the Colonel chuckled, he wanted it all. But he shall get nothing! Everyone has his or her place...perhaps he hasn't learned that. Yet! Immaterial!"

At dinner time later that day, Captain Ferguson appeared at the enlisted men's mess hall.

Attention! Officer present! the Sergeant-at-Arms shouted. The Captain strode to the front of the room, climbed a small platform and began to speak.

"I understand that some of you men want more information as to why we are going to war. Very well, then. Listen closely. Alliances are of material importance, forged over decades. They enumerate rights and responsibilities: to another country, to another empire and its colonies. But Britain, our home, and the British Empire have spent hundreds of years exploring, hundreds of years ruling countries and colonies spanning the globe. Now, a relative upstart on the world stage has chosen to challenge that history. And in the process, exercise its powers and influence among other nations to foment aggression against Britain and its allies. Intolerable!

For example, Sir Winston ordered the seizure of two battle cruisers being built by the Turks in our shipyards because he realized the Hun intended war and understood our need for ships as an island nation. All available ships. He offered Turkey the opportunity to become an ally. Instead, these treacherous Muslim barbarians decided to accept a bribe of two battle cruisers, funded by the Germans, in return for their support of the Triple Entente. Believe me, they will shortly rue that decision.

Now men...you can readily see that we as Englishmen have no choice. We must crush these unsavory characters forthwith! We will do our duty for King and country, pursue and conclude this unpleasantry with haste and return victorious to home and hearth. God save the King!"

~~~

3 November 1914

En Route, at sea

Dearest Darling Dahlia,

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I shan't be privileged to fight the obnoxious Hun. Rather, I've been sent 3000 miles away to fight the bloody Turks!

I'm not a grand strategist - and the censors read every letter anyway - but I think we're supposed to draw troops from the Western Front. Hell, I could've swam the 21 miles across the channel and engaged those villains in a matter of hours! Now I just sit/lay in a bunk on a rusty-bucket transport ship, often losing my breakfast/lunch or dinner as we roll, pitch and lurch along our miserable way. I'm told the modern ships are reserved for more important duties in the North Atlantic. I just yearn for this journey to end!

Ah well, it will all be over soon. Then I shall hold you in my arms and we can plan the rest of our lives together.

Think of me often.

As I do you.

Dan

~~~

13 January 1915

Gallipoli

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my cherished one!

It's all quite glorious, really.

Our allies from down are rendering invaluable assistance to our efforts. The Australians, we call them diggers, and the New Zealanders -- known as kiwis--are present in great numbers. A much larger force than we Brits, actually. In official correspondence we refer to them as Anzacs. They're a splendid lot. Fine lads, all.

I understand there are problems with the postal services...so if I don't hear from you very often it won't trouble me. We don't receive much news from the Western Front, either. But I'm confident we are giving the hordes a good thrashing and I'll be able to come home soon.

I love you my sweetheart and, upon my soul, we shall be wed within a fortnight upon my return.

Your future husband,

Daniel

~~~

Interesting. How could these so-called beaches have been chosen for our landings, Sergeant? Why, they're nothing more than boulders interspersed with scrub brush. The valleys and the ravines...the gutter washes...a man unencumbered by munitions, rations and a firearm could scarcely scale them!

"Dunno, lad, dunno. But it is the challenge we were given and we shall bloody well accomplish it!"

No obstacle