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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Desmond7's Blog

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Ch 43


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RICHARD Langley-Baston removed his steel helmet and peered through the observation portal in the sniper shield. Anxiously, he scanned what he could see of the tormented ground in front of his position.

Behind him, Sergeant Paul Reed ran a hand over his stubbled jaw and massaged his neck.

"I've been watching for 20 minutes Sir," he told the officer. "Your eyes are just getting used to the dark when Gerry bangs up another flare. If anyone on that patrol is still alive they'll be on their way back. "

Langley-Baston stood down from the firestep and rubbed his eyes.

"All the men know the password Sergeant?" he demanded.

"Yes sir," replied the NCO.

Langley-Baston nodded and disappeared down Munster Alley to the company HQ.

Reed felt a tap on the shoulder.

"Brandy ball Sarn't?" asked Rfn. Jim Davies, offering a paper bag full of the boiled sweets to the grizzled NCO.

Reed looked at the platoon's scruffiest soldier and then smiled: "Ta very much Davies lad. "

Davies was a kid. Maybe he shouldn't even be in the line, thought Reed.

"Me mam sent them to me Sarn't," said Davies, using the sleeve of his tunic as a handkerchief.

"Me little sister and her saved up for me 19th birthday to send them over." he added proudly.

Reed savoured the taste of the confectionary: "On you go lad, and keep some of them sweets for again mind. You never know when you'll need them."

He shook his head as Davies shoved the bag in his tunic pocket and took his place as sentinel. Reed reckoned the lad's real age was 16.

"Just a f..king kid," he muttered to himself.

Davies had just popped a third brandy ball into his mouth when he heard the noise.

He spat the unbroken sweet from his mouth and sotfly announced: "Movement front Sarn't. Noise in the wire."

Reed joined him on the firestep: "Good lad Jim. Any password?"

"Nothing Sarn't," replied the young rifleman.

"Could be the bloody rats son, keep your eyes peeled now ..."

From the darkness a voice called, softly, but insistently: "Ladysmith ... Ladysmith."

And into the fire trench climbed 2nd Lt. Hartley.

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