The Uncertain Years

by Beryl Matthews

  ‘Amen to that.’

  Chapter Six

  The wait was agonising, but eventually Becky was told where she was being posted. It was a transport division based in Hampshire, and she was delighted. She wished David were here so she could thank him personally, because she was sure his recommendation had helped.

  The girls she had been with during the basic training were being dispersed to various camps, and it was unlikely she would see them again. They had been a good lot, but she was too excited to feel sad about the parting. It had seemed strange at first to be with a load of girls instead of the boys, but she’d got used to it.

  With her bag packed, she gave one last look around the hut, and with all the goodbyes said, she headed for the door. There were seven days’ leave ahead of her, and she couldn’t wait to see her family. It would be wonderful if the boys had leave as well, but she knew just how unlikely that was. Still, Will would be there, and she could hear all his news.

  The week’s leave flew by. Becky’s father had borrowed an old Austin Seven from a friend and had spent every moment he could teaching her to drive. She’d tuned up the bike, and as she packed to return to duty, she felt she was well prepared for her new posting. The only disappointment was that Jim and Bob hadn’t been home.

  Will and her mother saw her to the train. The station was packed with service men and a few women in uniform, and she didn’t miss the brief flash of regret in her brother’s eyes. It hurt to see that his rejection by the armed services still lingered, and she hoped the paper would make good use of his talents. His great need at this time was to feel useful.

  The train pulled out and she waved frantically for as long as her family were in sight. Then she sat back and wondered what was ahead of her.

  It didn’t take long to report in and stow her few belongings. The billet was better than the last bare hut she had shared with the girls, and there were only six bunks instead of twelve. Luxury indeed.

  Then she made her way to the mess for her evening meal. After such a busy, exciting day, she was starving.

  Much to her delight the first person she saw was Alice Henderson.

  ‘Becky!’ Alice rushed towards her, smiling with real pleasure. ‘I was hoping you’d turn up here. You got what you wanted then?’

  ‘I had a lot of help, but I’ll tell you about that later. What about you?’ Becky asked as they sat down.

  ‘I’m working for a major at the moment, but I’m aiming for a general before this war’s over.’

  ‘And I’m sure you’ll find one,’ Becky said laughing.

  ‘I’ll have a darned good try. They’ll be hard pushed to find a better secretary.’

  That remark reminded Becky why she’d found Alice so likeable. She oozed self-confidence, but not in a stuck-up way.

  They spent the rest of the meal catching up with each other’s news.

  Becky hardly noticed the time passing. Slipping the spanner into her pocket, she straightened up and lifted her face to the warm May sunshine. She had spent hours with her head stuck in engines and books. With added responsibility came her first stripe. She excelled in anything to do with engines, and her abilities had been quickly recognised.

  She wrote to David regularly, but she had only received two short letters from him, and nothing over the last four weeks. She loved what she was doing and had settled into army life with ease. Her happiness would have been complete if it hadn’t been for the worrying news. It seemed as if the German army was unstoppable. David was somewhere in France, and maybe Jim was too. No one knew where Bob was at any one time, and shipping was being sunk at an alarming rate. Becky had never been a regular churchgoer, but she had taken to saying a prayer at night for all those she loved, and everyone else in danger. She had no idea if it did any good, but it made her feel better to remember them all in this way.

  There wasn’t any point dwelling on it, though, because if France fell then this country, and everyone in it, would be in the front line.

  ‘Something’s happening!’ Will cried as he burst into the chief’s office one day without pausing to knock. ‘Someone’s just told me anything that will float is being requisitioned by the navy. There are boats of all shapes and sizes making their way to the coast.’

  ‘Well, don’t just stand there.’ Ted Dunston was on his feet and moving towards the newsroom. ‘Go and find out what the hell they’re needed for. Charlie! Go with Will. Find out what’s going on and get back here quickly! Will, you stay with this until you have the full story. And take a camera with you.’

  ‘Right.’

  The two boys ran and didn’t stop until they reached the Thames. Gasping for breath they watched the flotilla of assorted boats in amazement.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Will called to a man steering a fair-sized cabin cruiser.

  ‘Sheerness Dockyard,’ he shouted back.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘No idea, mate. We’ve been told to take our boats there. The navy wants them for some reason.’

  ‘Can I come with you? I’m a reporter.’

  The boat eased over to the bank, and Will pushed Charlie. ‘Run back and tell the chief I’m going with one of the boats. I’ll report back as soon as I can.’

  Charlie took off as fast as his legs would carry him, and Will leapt on to the boat. ‘Thanks. My name’s Will Adams.’

  ‘Doug Wilkins.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you, Doug. Will you tell me what happened?’

  ‘First thing I knew was the navy blokes banging on my door saying they wanted my boat. It was chaos where I moored her. They gave us petrol and asked if we’d take our own boats to the coast at once.’

  ‘And that’s all they said?’

  ‘Only that it was vital they had everything that could float.’

  ‘What on earth can they want such an ill-assorted collection of boats for?’ Will gazed around, unable to believe his eyes. There were navy personnel on some of the boats.

  ‘I don’t know what’s happened, but I’ve got a nasty feeling we must be in terrible trouble.’ Doug’s mouth was set in a grim line. ‘This operation looks like an act of desperation to me.’

  Will had to agree with that. ‘Do you think they’ll tell us at the dockyard?’ he asked, as he took several photos.

  ‘They’ll have to if they want to use my boat. I’ll want to know where she’s going before I hand her over.’

  Will put the camera back in the case. It would be easy to snap away, but he must keep plenty of film for later.

  ‘Going in the forces yourself, are you?’

  ‘Afraid not. I tried, but they wouldn’t take me.’

  ‘Why not? You look a fit young man.’

  Will stretched out his arms. ‘Because of this.’

  ‘Ah.’ Doug nodded. ‘I never noticed that. Never mind, lad, you stick with me and we’ll find out what they want with us. Whatever it is, I want to stay with my boat if I can.’

  Will’s eyes shone with excitement. ‘Would you say I’m part of your crew so I can come with you?’

  ‘Sure.’ Doug grinned. ‘Glad to have you aboard, Will. Want to have a go at steering?’

  ‘Yes please!’

  For the rest of the journey Doug taught Will how to handle the boat, and anything else he might need to know about the vessel.

  Doug took over again when they reached their destination, and Will gazed around in wonder at the sight that met them.

  ‘My God!’ Doug gasped as he edged the boat to the dock.

  Everywhere was crowded with boats, and more were steaming in all the time, passing others already heading out to sea. The navy was clearly in charge, and as they tied up, a sailor ordered them over to a hut.

  Will caught two men who had already reported in. ‘Do you know what this is all about?’ he asked.

  ‘Our army’s trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk, and they want anything that will float to go over and rescue them. The navy tried to give us train tickets home, but we ain’t having that. Whe
re our boat goes, we go as well. Just about all the others feel the same, and to be honest, I think they’re only too relieved to have the help.’ The man looked at Doug. ‘What about you?’

  ‘I’m the only one who is going to take the wheel of my boat.’ Doug clapped Will on the shoulder. ‘You don’t have to come any further, lad. Take your pictures and write the story.’

  Will’s face dropped with disappointment. ‘Let me come with you. Please! You’re going to need someone else on board. This trip will be too much for one man.’

  ‘It’s going to be dangerous.’

  ‘I know that, but I can do a much better story if I’m actually there.’

  Seeing the eagerness on his face, Doug gave a reluctant nod. ‘Phone your editor and let him know what you’re doing.’

  As soon as they’d reported to the sailors taking names, Will managed to find a telephone, and got through to his editor.

  The chief listened carefully to what Will was able to tell him, then said, ‘This sounds dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?’

  ‘I’m sure, Chief. The Lucky Lara’s a sound vessel and the owner is an experienced sailor. But if anything should happen, would you tell my parents?’

  ‘Of course, but you be sure you don’t put me in that unpleasant position. They’ll never forgive me for allowing you to go on this crazy trip. Let’s pray that boat you’re on lives up to her name. Good luck, Will.’

  ‘Thanks. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.’ Will replaced the phone and ran to join Doug on the boat, his heart pumping with excitement – and more than a touch of fear, though there wasn’t time to dwell on that.

  ‘My God!’ Will gasped as they got under way. ‘There’s a destroyer coming with us.’

  ‘They’re calling on everything to help with the rescue. We’ve got to get our army off those beaches, or we’re finished.’ Doug’s expression was grim, as he concentrated on steering the boat.

  ‘How many men can we take?’ Will asked, wondering how on earth these small boats were going to cope with thousands of men.

  ‘Twelve, at the most.’

  The sight that met them at Dunkirk was beyond belief. There were navy vessels with smoke pouring out of them, small boats wrecked along the shoreline, and thousands of men on the beaches.

  ‘There’s a line of men in the water over there,’ Doug yelled above the sound of gunfire from German planes overhead. ‘Let’s start picking them up and take them to that destroyer.’

  As soon as they reached them, Will began pulling men into the boat, blessing the fact that his right arm was extra strong.

  ‘That’s enough. We’ll be right back, boys,’ Doug called as he manoeuvred the seriously overloaded boat towards the navy ship.

  They lost count of how many trips they made, but eventually Doug called a halt. ‘We’re getting low on petrol. Collect ten only, Will, and we’ll head back to Dover.’

  There was an almighty explosion that dangerously rocked the Lucky Lara, as two boats near them received a direct hit. The carnage around them was sickening.

  Without a word Doug headed out to sea with the few exhausted soldiers on board. Dover would be a welcome sight for all of them.

  As soon as they arrived back in Dover, Doug was asking for more petrol. ‘I’m going back, lad. I’d be glad of your help, but you don’t have to come. You’ve done enough.’

  ‘You’re not leaving me behind,’ Will said without hesitation. ‘I’ll phone in my story while you’re refuelling.’

  Chapter Seven

  There was a sense of urgency running through the camp as Becky jumped out of the truck. She had just passed her driving test, but her elation faded as she noticed the grim faces all around her.

  ‘What’s happening?’ she asked as Alice came to congratulate her. There were lorries springing into life all around her.

  ‘Don’t know,’ she replied, stepping out of the way as the convoy began to move towards the gates.

  ‘Get back in that lorry,’ a sergeant yelled at Becky, ‘and follow the others.’

  ‘But I’ve only just passed my test, Sergeant.’

  ‘I don’t give a damn. You can drive, so bloody well drive! And you.’ He glared at Alice. ‘Go with her. You’re going to be needed as well.’

  ‘But I’m just about to go on leave,’ Alice protested.

  ‘All leave’s cancelled,’ he snapped. ‘Now do as ordered.’

  The girls didn’t argue or speak, but clambered back in the lorry. Becky had to put her foot down to catch up with the others.

  ‘He might have told us where we’re going,’ Becky muttered, concentrating on finding the gears without making a mess of it. ‘I wonder what’s caused the need for so many lorries?’

  The convoy halted for a moment, and a corporal jumped in, pushing Alice along to make room for himself.

  ‘Where are we going?’ Becky wanted to know. ‘I’ve only just passed my test.’

  ‘Ah.’ He leant forward to look at her. ‘I’ll drive if you’re nervous.’

  ‘I’m not nervous!’ she exclaimed, not caring for the smug expression on his face. ‘I’m more than capable of driving this thing. All I want to know is where are we going.’

  ‘Dover. Our army’s trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk, and transport is needed for some of those being brought back.’

  ‘Oh my,’ Alice murmured. ‘How bad is it?’

  ‘About as bad as it can get. France is about to fall, and then Hitler will be able to see us across the Channel.’

  Becky, like everyone else, had been aware that things were not going well in France, but this news was horrifying. She knew David was over there, and maybe Jim, as well. ‘Do you think Hitler will invade us now?’

  ‘He will if he’s got any sense,’ the corporal replied, his tone as grim as his expression.

  ‘Ah, we’ll be all right then.’ Alice sat back and folded her arms. ‘We know he hasn’t got any sense, don’t we?’

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, they laughed at Alice’s feeble joke.

  For the rest of the journey Becky concentrated on her driving, not wanting to lose contact with the other vehicles.

  On arrival at Dover they were escorted to a parking place by the combined efforts of the navy and army. They jumped out of the cab and gazed around in utter disbelief. Boats were coming in loaded with men; there were medical staff helping the wounded, and WVS handing out tea and sandwiches. The army were gathering the more able men together and putting them on various modes of transport. The girls could only gaze at the scene before them, completely lost for words, but they were in no doubt about the seriousness of this disaster.

  ‘You stay by the lorry,’ the corporal ordered, ‘while I find out what we’ve got to do.’

  Alice and Becky watched him stride away, their hearts pounding in dismay. A navy destroyer was edging in, smoke pouring out of her from somewhere, and listing drunkenly.

  ‘Look at that!’ Alice gasped. ‘It’s packed solid with soldiers. How on earth has it stayed afloat?’

  A lump came in to Becky’s throat, and she fought to keep herself calm. The dock was a seething mass of people with only one purpose, and that was to get the soldiers off the ships and cared for.

  ‘Poor devils.’ Alice took a shuddering breath. ‘Got any cigarettes on you, Becky? I’ve only got one packet, but those men must be gasping for a smoke.’

  She dived in her pocket and held out a full pack of twenty. Alice grabbed them and immediately disappeared into the crowd, while Becky continued to study the faces around her. Was David in amongst these tired and battle-weary men, or was he still on the beaches? The questions and fears continued to race through her mind. Was Bob on one of the navy ships? And what about Jim – where was he?

  She dipped her head in anguish. What must the men be suffering as they waited to be rescued? It didn’t bear thinking about. The only glimmer of comfort she felt was for the fact that her brother would not be involved in this desperate and dangero
us situation. It was obvious that every effort was being made to get the men home, and all they could do was wait and hope the rescue mission was successful.

  She continued to scan the faces, looking for anyone she might know, but all she could see was a mass of weary men. Alice came tearing up to her at that moment, quickly followed by a sergeant.

  ‘Get ready to leave,’ he shouted, as a column of soldiers marched towards their vehicles. ‘Once the men are loaded we’re taking them back to Aldershot.’

  Becky clambered back into the cab of the lorry and started the engine. Alice tumbled in after her. They waited, not speaking, as they heard the men jumping in the back. It didn’t take long before the lorries began to move. Becky slotted into the middle of the convoy and concentrated on her driving.

  ‘I went right down to the dock,’ Alice said, lighting a cigarette. ‘You ought to see the assortment of boats coming in, all overloaded by the look of them. You remember that photo you showed me of your brother? Well I thought I saw him jumping into one of the boats. I wanted to go and ask him, but they were already heading out to sea when I got there.’

  ‘You must have been mistaken,’ Becky said, shaking her head. ‘He could be here after a story for his newspaper, but there’s no way he would be able to join in the rescue.’

  ‘I guess you’re right; it’s just about impossible to recognise anyone in amongst that crowd.’

  ‘Blimey! We’ve got a couple of girls here, lads. You got any fags? We’re gasping back here.’

  Alice turned round, smiled at the face peering at them, and handed over her packet. ‘There’s only five left, but you’re welcome to them. Have you got any left, Becky?’

  ‘Try my right-hand pocket, there might be some there.’

  Alice dived in the jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled packet. She counted them, and then handed them to the soldier. ‘Only six. That’s all we’ve got, boys.’

  ‘Thanks, we’ll break them in half.’ The face disappeared.