by Carl Leckey
Chapter twenty-seven
I find Pompey Lill
On arrival at the site of the charabanc I cut across the field and avoid previous deep tracks to reach the abandoned charabanc.
The buses and charabanc are usually employed moving troops in a hurry to hot spots on the line. I stop quite close to the stranded vehicle.
Toot and I dismount and proceed to examine the vehicle. Apart from a few bullet holes in none crucial places, plus the fact it is bogged down to the axles the bus appears in excellent condition.
“She isn’t a four wheel drive vehicle, you see?” Toot points out.
“The silly bloody driver shouldn’t have risked running on a soggy field. He most probably followed the tracks of another thinking he would be ok and got himself bogged down in the mud, then the bloody ground froze.”
“I’ll make inquires when we return to base and try and find out if it’s been completely abandoned. If it has, we’ll bring some gear with us next trip and see if we can recover it. This would be ideal for shipping the treated lads on to the hospital it will release an ambulance for the front line duties.”
We continue the run to the pickup point, on arrival we find seven British casualties, two MPs and a wounded German Officer.
The stretcher-bearers are about to load the British when the MP Captain intervenes.
“This one has priority.” He points to the German, ordering us to load him and leave room for himself and his Sergeant to travel with us.
Toot informs him. “They are loaded in order of their arrival from the front Sir.” He adds as an afterthought.
“And if they have a good chance of making it to the casualty station.
We never give the enemy wounded priority over our own men.
I’m certainly not allowed to carry fit and able personnel, especially armed in an ambulance carrying a Red Cross symbol. These are the orders I have always worked to Sir.”
The Captain glares at him. “Fancy being a private Corporal, do you? Now get this prisoner loaded and let’s be off. I am countermanding your previous orders.”
We have no choice but to leave four British wounded behind, and it galls us. When we arrive at the station the Captain insists we drop the German off at the POW compound first despite one of the British wounded being in a critical condition.
More MPs, the Doctor, and someone I’m ashamed to say I have given little thought to for quite a while, Oscar. He meets us at the gate of the compound and gives me a brief wave of recognition then carries on with his duties. They attended to the prisoner immediately before carrying him into the building where poor Tommy had spent the night before his execution.
Toot is very angry as we drive up to the underground casualty station.
“You would think it is Kaiser Bill himself the way they treat the bastard.” He complains. “The trouble is I have nobody to take this up with the bloody Officers here won’t go against the MPs that’s for sure.”
I think it is prudent to be silent on this occasion and don’t pass any opinions. Toot has been in the Army a long time and knows the system far better than I do.
Thankfully, the critical casualty survived the journey, much to our relief. The receiving Doctor asks why we have only brought in three wounded. He also wanted to know if things are easing up at the front line? We explain what has happened hoping he will take some action. Instead he shrugs his shoulders and says. ‘Cette la geurre, mon amies.’
While I clean the inside of the ambulance and refuel, Toot goes to see the Adjutant at the company HQ regarding the stranded charabanc.
Sam follows us in to the base his ambulance is loaded to capacity with six more wounded. I take the opportunity to have a chat with him about Toot’s idea of retrieving the abandoned vehicle and explain why we had to leave casualties at the pickup. Always one to be up with news I find he already knew about the MP Captain, and the German prisoner. He remarks.
“They are cheeky bleeders. I wish there was someone we could report the bleeders to, but I’m afraid these bleeders in charge here won’t do anything?” I note Sam is still bleeding well.
Through various sources we eventually find out the story about the German.
The stretcher bearers rescued the enemy Officer from a shell hole in no man’s land. An observer reported he had been shot by his own side as he made his way towards the British lines.
The British Officer in charge notified the MPs when he was discovered to be a German Intelligence Officer, a prize worth having.
The information cleared up the mystery of why he had been given priority treatment at the expense of our own wounded. Toot returns with a smile on his face and gives us the thumbs up sign. The rescue of the charabanc has been approved by the Adjutant an attempt to retrieve the vehicle is now on.
Next morning, loaded with tow chains, mud mats and a large thermos containing boiling water we set off. I can sense Toot’s excitement as he drives towards his prize. Sam and Jake follow behind in another vehicle to give us an extra boost if required.
Dave and Billy both ride in the rear of the ambulance as extra muscle the trip is developing into a works outing.
On arrival at the site we find the mud completely thawed.
Toot immediately begins checking the engine in case the freezing temperature has cracked the block.
While he does the checks we attach the towing chains to my vehicle and use another to link Sam’s ambulance to mine. Toot who is, about to capture his new toy is beside himself with excitement when he informs us the driver has drained the engine water before abandonment. He is usually a cool individual and takes everything in his stride on this occasion however he acts like a kid does at Christmas.
Sam tops up the engine with the hot water, Toot takes up his position in the driver’s seat primes the engine and gives us a toot on the horn.
I move forward and tighten my chain. Sam takes up slack tensioning the towing gear. There is a slight skid, sloppy mud from Sam’s back wheels spews towards me and the train begins moving forward. As we reach a piece of unbroken field Toot blows his horn. Sam stops suddenly, I nearly run into his rear. I manage to just bring my vehicle to a halt inches away from his rear end. Clouds of smoke burst forth from the exhaust of the charabanc. The lads cheer, Sam and I give the horns a series of resounding honks.
Toot’s face is rent by an ear to ear grin as we run back to see his prize alive and kicking.
Like silly kids we cheer and congratulate each other on our efforts. We detach our towing gear, top his vehicle up with petrol and leave him to proceed back to base with Dave and Jake in company.
Sam and I continue on towards the front line.
Chapter twenty-eight
Gas
We assume the use of gas has ceased on our front line, there haven’t been any attacks with the deadly poison for months. What a shock I receive on arrival at the pickup. A line of blinded and burnt soldiers wait for transport.
Normally the ambulances are designed to carry six stretcher cases but by rearranging the rear of the ambulance we manage to cram twelve of the gas afflicted casualties inside. Billy rides in the back with them. I cram two more of the least affected in the front alongside me.
One of the lads becomes talkative after I give them all a slug of rum to ease the pain of the journey.
“It is our own fault really. We have never been attacked by the bloody stuff while we’ve been over here. I couldn’t believe it when the bloody stuff poured over, good job the wind changed direction or it would have affected our entire mob. Thank God it only dropped on a short stretch of the very forward firing trenches?” Unbelievably, considering his predicament, he begins laughing only to finish his hilarity abruptly in a coughing fit. I considered stopping but he waves me on.
When he finally settles down he explains what amused him.
“It was the wind you see? It blew the bastards gas back onto them, you should have heard old Fritz coughing and swearing. Our side cheered like buggery despite so
me of the gas hitting us.”
Abruptly he asks, “Do you know what will happen to us now?”
He looks about eighteen years old to me and yet the lad asks my advice on a number of subjects. I answer him the best I can with my limited knowledge. The poor lad treats me as if I am a wise old soldier. I must admit feeling slightly proud of this unexpected compliment. It’s a good job he can’t see how old I really am.
God, poor bugger, imagine being blinded at his age. I pity him as I consider his predicament and what kind of life is he going to lead from now on?
While we unload the casualties, the Doctor congratulates me on my initiative for bringing so many back to the station in one trip.
“You are the same chap that brought that trailer thing in a while back ain’t you?” I confirm the fact.
“Good show chappy. That is what this place needs, a bit of initiative.”
Unexpectedly, he asks me to wait a moment and disappears into the tent, after a few minutes reappearing with a small china doll in his hand.
“Here you are my boy, a reward for your initiative. Her name is Lulu, and it is my intention to present one of these to every driver that shows outstanding abilities. Consider this a kind of medal and guard her with your life. She will bring you good luck. Carry on.”
He returns to his operating tent without further explanation. I examine the doll and wonder what I can do with such an object made of pink china, decorated with a large bow on its head and a red -cross on it’s chest.
All the drivers consider this particular Doctor slightly eccentric, but on the whole he is a kind, and considerate person greatly admired for his skill and compassion by the casualties he treats.
I hang the doll up in the cab, considering any help my guardian Angel has in bringing me good luck is a bonus.
I proceed to the pool to refuel feeling very pleased with myself.
Billy calls me a ‘big headed bastard,’ when I show him my prize and laughingly explain it is a kind of medal.
I wander over to Toot and Dave where they are still cleaning the charabanc. It has already begun to look really smart, although I notice the fitters are still working on the engine. Toot stands back admiring his handiwork.
The logo PORTSMOUTH OMNIBUS COMPANY has appeared along the side previously obscured by mud.
I inform Toot about the gas attack and how we had overloaded the casualties to get them back quickly.
“It’s a pity old Pompey Lill isn’t ready, she would have been ideal for that type of wounded.”
The sentimental old bugger has already given the charabanc a name.
I remark tongue in cheek. “Well as long as we keep her off the mud old Pompey Lill will be alright. If she gets stuck again she shouldn’t depend on old Gettum Girty here to get her out of the shit again.”
I slap the side of my ambulance affectionately and burst out laughing, Toot gives me a strange old fashioned look.
From this moment on all the vehicles and carts are christened with names instead of the nondescript numbers we had used previously.
As winter slowly turns to spring, there is a new feeling about on the front line. Flowers begin appearing in the gardens of wrecked houses, on the roadsides snowdrops are disappearing to be replaced by yellow primroses.
On arrival at the pickup point one beautiful morning I am surprised to find Sam’s ambulance is already there as we usually pass him en route.
I park up alongside his vehicle to my surprise there is no sign of Sam and his mate Jake. We locate them behind some ruins. Jake and Sam are sitting on chairs they have retrieved from a shell blasted house stripped to the waist enjoying the morning sun.
This is the first time we have arrived to find no casualties waiting for transport since I joined the ambulances. The stretcher-bearers and NCC men are laying out Corpses for transport back to the cemetery.
As the frozen mud thaws the remains from previous battles are released from their icy tomb for proper burial. It appears the lads are taking advantage of a lull in the fighting to clean up the battlefront.
How I have hardened since recruitment. I can now look on a scene of unimagined horror without feeling any emotion or revulsion.
We unload the food and tea thermoses and hand them over to the NCC lads for delivery to the trenches. Billy and I join the sunbathers lying on the grass.
Sam tells us an unofficial truce is in progress. Both sides are clearing their respective areas before the hot weather has arrived bringing flies and rats. He reckons he has witnessed the same thing happening in a couple of previous springs.
Without any agreement soldiers stop firing at each other, and the bearers are allowed to carry out their grisly task unhindered.
“It’s got to Makes sense.” He explains. “Who wants rats and flies, plus a bleedin horrible pong, to spoil a nice clean battlefield eh? You haven’t seen the bleedin front line without being shot at have you Scouse?”
I shake my head. “No, the last time Toot and I were stuck in the trenches I was shitting myself.”
“Here’s your opportunity, you may never get the chance again.” Sam informs me.
“You’re not kidding are you Sam? I don’t want my head blown off at this stage of the game.” I seek reassurance before I follow his advice.
“Go and ask the stretcher bearers if you don’t believe me.” He replies in a hurt voice.
An Engineer Officer appears on the scene, ending our spring respite from the usual pain and suffering.
“No casualties for you lads this morning, and I don’t think we shall have any today.
A field kitchen is being set up here now it will save you the trouble of bringing these in future.” He points to the food receptacles.
“The supply wagons are able to bring the empties back to base for you.
Will you do me a great service lads? Will you take the dead back with you?
I know it’s not your usual task but we are getting overwhelmed here and these poor souls should have a decent burial as soon as possible.”
Sam takes the decision for me and agrees to the evidently caring Officer’s proposal.
“Just give me an order in writing Sir, and we can load right away.”
Sam is too old a soldier to do anything without his piece of paper.
The Officer gives us a signed order, and the stretcher-bearers pile the corpses into the ambulances.
This thwarts my chance of seeing the front line without risking my life, what a shame. Maybe on the next trip I will get an opportunity to see this unusual occurrence.
I arrive back at the station ahead of Sam and stop outside the HQ.
I go in search of someone in authority to explain there are no casualties today and I intend proceeding to the burial ground with my load of corpses. Only my friend the station clerk is in the underground office.
I show him the written order and explain the situation at the front line to him. As I reach the entrance, an irate Doctor I have not encountered before bumps into me.
“Are you the driver of that ambulance?” He asks in an enraged voice pointing at my vehicle.
“Yes Sir.” I agree nervously.
“You blithering idiot, you’ve packed em in so tight you’ve killed the damn lot of em.”
I fall into stuttering mode as usual when faced by superiors giving me a dressing down. Fortunately another Doctor appears. This is the same Doctor that had praised me on my initiative and presented me with the doll Lulu on a previous occasion. He rushes around to the back of the ambulance to see what all the fuss is about.
The other Doctor continues to rant and rave, threatening me with all kinds of dire punishments.
“You my man are a damn right murderer. I suppose you packed your unfortunate victims in so tight so that you could idle your idiot life away drinking and smoking.”
The other Doctor approaches us trying to hide the smile on his face.
“By Jove my boy, you sure have packed em in today.”
He pauses
then extends his hand out to me. “Well done lad, take em up to the burial site now before the poor buggers start going orf on us.”
The clerk emerges and shows him the note from the engineer Officer. Bugger me if he did not shake my hand again.
“I’ll dine out on this story for years my boy, when this lots over.”
Putting his arm around his colleague’s shoulder, he whispers something in his ear, and leads his red-faced friend into the tunnel.
Sam arrives with his load of corpses as I drive off to the burial ground.
I meet up with Sam and his mate when we are refuelling at the pool.
We had a good laugh when I tell them of my set to with the new Doctor.
Billy follows by revealing the whole story of his encounter with the mad Doctor. When the Doctor first came over to the ambulance he asked Billy. “Got many in soldier?” All business like Billy replies.
“We have never loaded as many bodies as we have on board now Sir.” Billy assuming the idiot Doctor knew all about the corpses.
He never dreamed he would look in the back and think the overcrowding had killed the poor sods.
Toot listens to the yarning while we load petrol and clean the ambulances. “I’ve got an idea lads do you want to hear it?”
We agree Toot explains. “While it’s a bit quiet up at the front I want you both to take turns at giving old Pompey Lill a bit of a run. I want you to get used to driving her.”
Chapter twenty-nine
A date with Lill
I am excited as we toss a coin to see who drives first. Heads I call and win the toss, I can’t help wondering what the Corporal is up to.
Sam sets off for the pick up as Toot gives me instructions on how to start, drive and maintain the charabanc. This is only the second type of vehicle I had driven and some of the controls are different to the American built ambulances. Thankfully I quickly master them and have an excellent drive around the area.
