1914 British Ace Read online

  When I saw the hills rise ahead of us I knew that we were going to the Lake District. It was sixty miles from home and yet we had done it in just less than an hour. It was unbelievable. Of course we only saw another couple of motors as we headed north and they were staid and slow cars driven by serious looking men. His Lordship drove like a maniac.

  We screeched to a halt outside a huge hotel. I was still excited by the ride and I did not even notice its name. The destination was not the most important thing, it was the journey. His lordship didn’t say a word until we were in the hotel. “Table for two and send over a bottle of your finest claret.” He turned to me, “Well, what did you think of the ride?”

  “It was beyond words my lord. It was the most fantastic experience I have ever had.”

  The head waiter directed us to a table and took his lordships coat helmet and goggles. I had not even noticed the cold but now we were in the hotel I felt the warmth.

  “I knew you would like it! Now I am starving.” The waiter brought over the claret, “Ah spot on. That will do nicely. Do you still do the game pie?”

  “Yes my lord.”

  He leaned over to me, “I had it last year too but this is the best season for game pie.” He looked back at the waiter. “We’ll have that and bring us some oxtail soup to start. My friend here needs warming up.”

  He laughed but I was listening to his words. He had called me, ‘my friend’! He poured me a glass of wine. I had never drunk wine before, not even in France but it would have been churlish to refuse. I raised my glass, “Cheers sir, and here’s to the boys who didn’t come back.”

  He suddenly became serious, “Well said, William. Here’s to our fallen comrades.” I drank the wine it felt warm but it had a slightly bitter taste. It was not unpleasant but I couldn’t drink a pint of it. “Tell me about it William. I have read the reports but I didn’t see any of the chaps. I hear Captain Ashcroft bought it?”

  I nodded and then told him the story. He got the truth, including Lieutenant Ramsden. The food came, as did a second bottle of wine. He nodded and made appropriate comments.

  “I think the day of the horse and the cavalry are over. Poor Caesar should have ended his days on the estate. I am sorry that you both had to suffer like that. I feel guilty for I was the one who got you to join.”

  “No, my lord, I wanted to go. The fact that I didn’t find it as glorious as I thought is my fault.” He nodded and we both withdrew into our own thoughts.

  The waiter returned and his lordship ordered two glasses of port and asked for the bill. He paid and said, “Let’s go on the terrace and watch the lake. It is lovely at this time of year.” I had had port before, or ruby wine at least and I liked it but I knew enough just to sip it.

  The view was magnificent with the hills and sky reflected in the huge lake that was Windermere. “And how is the Royal Flying Corps sir?”

  He clapped me on the back. “Capital, absolutely capital! That is the main reason I called for you today.” He swallowed the port, “Look we have known each other a long time and there is no point in beating about the bush. I’d like you to transfer to the RFC and be my observer.”

  It was a bombshell, quite literally. I had never even seen an aeroplane let alone thought about flying in one. “Why me sir? I am just an ordinary chap who is a bit useful around horses.”

  “I think you are doing yourself a disservice. I happen to know that you are a crack shot and a fine leader of men. I also know that you are one of the best scouts the regiment ever had. That is what you will need to be, a scout and a crack shot. I have been flying single seater aircraft but we are changing over to the Vickers Gunbus and I need an observer who can fire the Lewis gun. What do you say? If you liked the speed of the old Singer you will love the bus. We go much faster and we are as free as a bird.”

  “It is an attractive offer sir but I need time to think about it.”

  He nodded and rained his glass. “Come on then, let’s get you back before your mother begins to worry.” He nodded to the head waiter as we left, “I went to the barracks, you know, and saw Sergeant Armstrong. We had a long chat. It was him who told me how good you were and he told me of your worries.” We climbed into the car. “You know they will bring conscription in and you will have to fight again. The question you need to ask yourself is will that be in the air or in the mud?” He held up his hand. “Think about it on the way back and give me your answer there eh?” He put his foot on the accelerator and we roared away south: the silence of the lakes shattered by the Singer’s throaty roar.

  My thoughts were filled with his ideas rather than the car and the scenery. That told me all that I needed to know. He had spoken to George and George had recommended me. I could not go back to the war as an infantryman. It had killed all but one of my friends. At least in the air I would not have to think of others, I would just have to do what his Lordship asked.

  Chapter 12

  As we pulled up outside the cottage, a little bit slower this time, I had made up my mind. He turned to look at me. He raised his goggles and said, “Well?”

  “Yes Captain Burscough I would like to join you.”

  He grinned and pumped my hand, “Well done Sergeant Harsker. You will not regret it.”

  “I am still a sergeant?”

  “Of course. Mind you there are very few in our squadron who aren’t officers but that will come when you learn to fly.”

  “Learn to fly? I thought I would just be an observer.”

  “Well yes but we all tinker with engines and we all need to know how to fly. Don’t worry William. It’s a piece of cake. You will be a whizz at it.” I got out of the car. “Well I shall see you tomorrow for the wedding and then we leave on Sunday bright and early.”

  He floored the car and with it me. I had less than two days left with my family. My dilemma was, did I tell them tonight and risk spoiling the wedding or leave it until after the wedding? I had to do it now or else Sarah would not be able to say goodbye. Besides which I was certain that his lordship would say something on the wedding day. I braced myself. This would be as daunting as a cavalry charge!

  The drive back had cleared my head a little and I braced myself. My mother’s face was a picture as she opened the door. It was a mixture of anger and relief. As I had been with his lordship she could not criticise but I saw it in her eyes.

  “Did you have a nice time?” There was a heartbeat of a pause and then she said, “Your dinner will be all dried up now.”

  I hugged her, “It will still taste delicious.” I would have to eat it or upset her even more.

  She placed the plate on the table, “Mind now, it’ll be hot. Your dad bought a bottle of brown ale for you to have with it.”

  I forced the smile, “Thanks dad, that’ll be just the job eh?”

  I was full but this was a small sacrifice to make. I think I saw the hint of a grin on my dad’s face as he looked up from his paper. He knew me better than anyone. I might be fooling my mum but not him. He could see that there was something on my mind. The beer helped the food to go down. I told the story of the car journey which also gave me a breathing space.

  Dad shook his head, “I cannot believe you got to the Lake District and back in less than a day. Why when I took his lordship up there we left at dawn and didn’t reach the lodge until after dark.”

  “That’s the motor car for you, dad. I am afraid that the day of the horse is over. It will soon be something people use for hunting and that is all. That car could go sixty miles an hour. That’s faster than the train to Liverpool.”

  He angrily tapped his pipe out on the fire, “Why things have to change I don’t know. It was bad enough when they got those noisy steam engines and we got rid of those beautiful Clydesdales. Do you remember them, Bill?”

  “Aye they were lovely. Watching them plough was a real pleasure.”

  “Exactly! What pleasure do you get watching a noisy steam engine belch fumes all over you!”

  Albert ha
d remained silent. “But they get the job done quicker dad.”

  “No they don’t, not in the long run. It takes longer to set them up than it does a horse and plough.”

  “It’s cheaper.”

  “Don’t talk nonsense young Albert. A horse eats hay and grass. Those steam engines eat coal.”

  “Well you don’t need as many men do you?”

  I think dad had been waiting for that point. He jabbed his pipe triumphantly at Albert, “Precisely and that’s the real reason they use them smelly, noisy beasts. It’s cheaper. You mark my words Albert, within ten years all the men will be in the big cities with Tom and John.”

  Mum was rocking in her chair and knitting. She shook her head sadly, “The ones that are still here.” She nodded towards dad’s paper. “There’s a battle in France and they say there are thousands of casualties.”

  I pushed my finished plate away, “That doesn’t mean they are dead. I was a casualty and I am fine aren’t I?”

  She glanced down at my leg but continued knitting. “And I am glad that you are out of the war now.”

  Sarah was also sewing, probably something for the wedding as it was blue. I caught her eye and then quickly looked away. I drank some more of the beer.

  A quiet descended and the only sounds which could be heard were the ticking clock, the clicking of the needles and the swish of turning pages. I sipped my beer wondering how to bring up my imminent departure.

  Sarah finished her sewing and held it up to admire. She said, “I think our Bill has something to tell us but he doesn’t know how to start. Am I right our Bill?”

  Dad put down his paper and mum stopped knitting. “What is it son? You can tell us.” He began filling his pipe. He used that as a way of listening while keeping his hands busy. It meant he didn’t have to look at you. I think he did that to make it easier. He had done the same thing when John had told him he was going to work in a factory.

  “Well, his lordship has asked me to go with him on Sunday.”

  Mother’s eyes widened like a startled deer. “Sunday? Where to?”

  I hesitated and Sarah, who knew me well, gave a slight nod of her head, “To join the Royal Flying Corps as an observer.”

  This time it was a stunned silence. Albert looked delighted, Sarah gave me a sad smile and mother looked as though I had told her I had been sentenced to death. Dad had his pipe halfway to his mouth and he said, “You mean in an aeroplane? Up in the air?”

  I nodded, “I would have to join up again anyway. You said yourself dad, in the pub the other night, that they need every man they can get.”

  “But you have done your bit.”

  “No mum, I have done a bit but the job isn’t done yet. You didn’t raise me to give up did you?”

  Dad lit his pipe and nodded his agreement. Mum started knitting again. The needles click clacking furiously, “No, but you nearly died and there are others who could go.”

  “You mean married men, fathers? Think about it mum, I am single; we are the ones who have the least to lose. I have been thinking about it over the last few days; if we think this country is worth fighting for then we shouldn’t shirk our duty.”

  “He’s right mother.” Dad looked at me and I think there was pride in his eyes. “So you‘ll be away Sunday then?”

  “Yes,” I grabbed Sarah’s hand. “But I shall be here for the wedding.”

  She stood and hugged me, “I should think so and we will make it a real family celebration.” She whispered in my ear, “Mum will be all right but give her a cuddle. You were always her favourite.” She turned to Alice and Kath. “Come on you pair we have dresses to get ready for tomorrow.”

  I knelt next to mum and I saw the tears trickling down her rosy cheeks. I saw that her hair now had more flecks of grey than I remembered and I wondered if that was down to me. I took her hand in mine. “I have to go, mum, but I promise you, I swear, that I will not take risks. If I was in the infantry then I would be in greater danger but with aeroplanes we just observe. There will be little chance of me coming to harm.” I think that was a lie but I didn’t know for certain and I excused myself.

  “What if they crash? Albert has had to repair Lord Burscough’s car more than enough. If it breaks down in the air it will crash.”

  “And that is another reason his lordship wants me. He knows I am good with engines. I’ll make sure we don’t crash. In a way I’m looking after Lord Burscough too.” I could see that I had nearly persuaded her. I took my leave. “I had best get to bed. Tomorrow will be a big day for us all.”

  Albert followed me to bed, “You are lucky, Bill. I would love to fly an aeroplane. When I am old enough then I will join you.”

  I felt depressed to think that my little brother might have to endure the horrors of Flanders. “You never know, it may be over by then.”

  His voice sounded sad in the dark. “I hope not.”

  Perhaps because of my impending departure the wedding day flew by. It was a lovely wedding, well at least all the women thought so. Lady Burscough had decorated the chapel beautifully and my sister looked gorgeous. Her husband Cedric Rogers was a quiet, unassuming man. I had been at school with him and he would make her a good husband. I wondered if my little sisters would make such good matches. I noticed that there were few young men at the wedding. The war was already having an effect.

  Young Lord Burscough sought me out during the day. “We shall have to leave at five a.m. I am afraid. We have a long drive down to Kent. Make sure you pack all the warm clothes you can.”

  That puzzled me, “Why sir?”

  “It gets damned cold up in an aeroplane. You will need gloves, scarves and a thick coat.”

  I wish I had known. Mother could have knitted me some gloves, scarf and I could have bought a decent and thick coat.

  Everyone in the cottage was normally up early but that Sunday I am not sure my mother had even been to bed. She was red eyed and fretful when Albert and I went down stairs before the crack of dawn. She had pushed the boat out and there was a hearty breakfast of porridge and then a fry up. I saw her dab her eyes when she saw me in my uniform again. It was a visible sign that I was returning to war. Until that moment I could have been going off for another drive with his lordship. The uniform was the last nail.

  “This is lovely mum, you shouldn’t have.”

  “Well at least I’ll know you’ll have one decent meal in you.”

  “Don’t worry Mary, I can’t imagine that his lordship will go hungry.” Having had time to sleep on it Dad was much more philosophical about the whole thing.

  Mother shook her head and sat down with her cup of tea. Mum ate when everyone else had finished and if that meant no food for her then she was pleased for her family had been fed. “Now is there anything that you might need?”

  “His lordship said it might be cold up there so a scarf might be…”

  She leapt up from the table like a scalded cat. I looked at dad who smiled and shrugged. She came down beaming from ear to ear. In her hands she held an assortment of woollen goods. “Here’s a scarf, a balaclava, a pair of gloves and a pair of fingerless gloves.”

  I jumped up and hugged her. “You are a marvel! How did you know?”

  She sat down flushed and pleased, “I didn’t but Mary Burns told me that her son was in Flanders and he had written to say how cold and wet it was. She was knitting for him. I thought Tom or John might need them but I can make more for them.”

  I had just put them in my old holdall when we heard the roar and screech of the Singer. Dad shook his head, “Does he never drive at a normal speed?”

  “I’d better go. He said we have a long way to drive today.”

  I had said farewell to Sarah the night before but Alice and Kathleen came on either side of me and kissed me. Kath whispered, “And write this time! Start a letter today! She misses you terribly, our Bill.”

  “I will and you two keep an eye on them both eh? They’re not spring chickens anymore.” I punched A
lbert playfully in the arm. “And you take care- don’t rush into anything eh?” I gave him a look which I knew he would understand and he nodded.

  Dad shook hands, “Just do your duty son but come back safe.”

  “I will dad.” Mother said nothing for she was in floods of tears. He body was wracked by sobs. I hugged her and felt myself filling up. “I love you mum.” I felt her nod beneath my arm.

  The door opened and Lord Burscough stood there, “Come on old chap. We have the open road ahead of us.”He suddenly saw my mother’s face and flushed, “Don’t worry Mrs Harsker, I’ll make sure nothing happens to him.”

  She gave a slight bob and dabbed her eyes, “Make sure you look after both of you Lord Burscough.”

  I threw my bag into the space behind my seat and sat down. Impulsively I put on the balaclava. My sisters laughed and Lord Burscough smiled, “Just the ticket! Off we go then!”

  There was no long goodbye we just hurtled off down the dark road and I was grateful that we couldn’t speak for I wanted that picture of my family etched into my mind. We left the quiet English village and as we zoomed away in the dark I knew that this was what we were fighting for. Not the Belgians, or the Serbs and certainly not the politicians. We were fighting for our families and a way of life.

  Chapter 13

  Joyce Green Airfield at Dartford in Kent was really a holding Aerodrome. When we stopped for lunch close to Wolverhampton at a little place called Codsall his Lordship told me all about the squadron.

  “We have been flying little trainers called the Avro 504K. We are now moving to the F.E. 2b. Much better bus. They have a machine gun at the front. Jolly stable little aeroplane. We’ll be flying them over to France to a place called Vert Galand close to Amiens. We will just be in Blighty overnight and then we hop over the Channel. Most of the chaps will be flying today. The C.O. gave me permission to be late because of your sister’s wedding. Bit of luck that. It means the others get to do the donkey work around the new airfield. The squadron Commander is a nice chap, Major Brack. A damned good flier. It was he who suggested that I get an observer gunner who knew engines. If we are lucky the Quartermaster won’t have gone yet and we can get you kitted out.”