October 10th 1914. I must be the proudest boy in London. Father joined the London Regiment
last week. Mother and I went to the station to see him off to his training.
Edward, you are the man of the house whilst I am away. Understand old chap?
Yes father. Do write and tell me everything! I shall be so proud!
Yes do write! We shall miss you so very much… Of course. Good bye darling…. Goodbye! Goodbye!
“Read all about it, Battle at Ypres, Allied troops mass ready for the offence!”
Mother and I walked home. The queue for the bus was too long and it was a beautiful Autumn
day. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be soldiers. And posters now… telling men
to join up. I felt proud as punch to think of father.
I’m trying to think of anyone who hasn't joined up! Mr Parry’s gone now; so has Ernest
Lifetree. And just yesterday Maud told me that Arthur Howell, her cousin from Gospel
Oak is off with the Fusiliers too. It will seem so strange without the men.
Yes. So many of the boys at my school have seen their fathers and big brothers go off.
And a good few of the masters to boot . Dear old dotty Templeton has been left to
teach most of the lessons! Gosh, Doctor Templeton is about 90 years old.
I don't think he will be going to the front any time soon. I rather suspect we womenfolk
will get a chance to prove our worth. Anyway. You mean like the suffragists? Votes
for women? MVotes... jobs... We're all perfectly able
you know! There are plenty of jobs we could do - a country can't sit waiting for all the
men to return! Hey! I'm still here!
Something I am heartily pleased about! How about we stop at the Angel Hotel for afternoon
tea? I think I need something cheerful to think about!
It was getting dark when we left. Mother was needed at the church. They were serving food
to people who do not have enough so she is doing her part. I walked the few streets on
my own. I met Sidney on the way. Since his brother and father joined up, he seems to
act rather more like a little man most of the time.
Edward! Mother told me the news. Your father's answered the call?
Yes! We've just seen him off. Capital! Do you know I tried again yesterday?
You are only 13 Sidney. You have to be 19 to join the army.
Nah… you just have to be clever – that’s all pal! My mate Johnny Ash got in – he’s
not a day over 17, and Harry Thomson – he fooled them too, and he’s only fifteen.
I tell you they’re too busy to be too fussy. You are a lot braver than I. It sounds like
a terrific adventure but I'd be... well – too scared to be much cop.
Well the way I look at it, when else am I gonna get to see a bit of the world? Made
it as far as getting the pen on the paper but then would you believe it some rotter
from our road bawls me out and says never mind the Hun, my mother will be on the warpath
if they let me put a cross on that line. Said my father would kick me all the way back to
England if he found me in his trench. Bad luck old chap. There is still plenty of
regiments left to try I expect. What about the cavalry? Can you ride a horse do you think?
What the donkey wallopers? Yeah why not! Can’t be that hard to ride one and mother tells
me my grandfather was a famous jockey! It’ll be in my blood I tell you! The boche won’t
be able to keep up with me! CHAAARGE!!! And when you are out trying to join up, do
they not miss you at school? Our school is frightfully strict about absence.
Nahhh… and… well… fat lot they can do about it anyway! There’s lasses in my class
who have to stay home to look after the babies and like me stand in queues for their mas.
Anyway, I’m nearly 14 so they can go hang. If the army doesn’t want this fine piece
of prime British bully beef, then the post office can have me. Crying out for telegram
boys they are. Mother says Sidney is being reckless but I
think he’s brave. Braver than I. As we walked back through the streets, with the newspaper
boys shouting about the battle at Ypres and seeing the shops with their bare shelves,
I began to feel a little worried. I shall not say anything to mother of course, or Sidney.
‘Eere, why aren’t the streetlights coming on? I shall need a flaming torch to get mother
home at this rate! It is strange isn’t it? Maybe the men who
light them have gone to war. Or maybe they are saving money.
MAYBE it is so Fritz won’t be able to see where to drop those bombs – did you hear
they think they’ll use airships – things called Zeppelins to attack us from the air
if the battle comes to England? Cor! That would be a sight to see.
Not one I want Sidney! Nothing worries Sidney. I should not worry.
Maybe it is because the nights are getting so dark and I am thinking about father. Let
us hope tomorrow brings more cheerful news.