THE LAST MARCH OF COLONEL HARRY McCREATH

Old Harry sat in his wheelchair gazing out over the car park of the residential home where he now lived. At ninety six he was still a big man although only a shadow of what he was in his prime. He was known affectionately as ‘The Colonel’ by the staff because that is what he used to be. He was an outwardly gruff individual but once you got to know him you realised that he was a very clever man with amazing insight into what made people tick, add to this a dry sense of humour, a quick wit and a wide general knowledge it was easy to understand how he had become a favourite of a lot of the staff, especially the more mature ones.1

He gazed through the window but did not see the tarmac, instead he saw field HQ in France circa 1944. There were the lorries, the armoured cars and most of all the men. They were lounging around and brewing up the tea as they did at every possible opportunity. He moved towards them, suddenly one of the men leapt up from the ground by the kettle,
“Officer present,” he barked and everyone scrambled to their feet and stood to attention.
“Relax lads,” said the old man in his mind, “it’s only me.” There were cries of “‘Ello colonel,” and “Wotcha boss,” and similar as the men stood down.
“Want any grub colonel?” asked a voice from the back
“Is that you Nosher?” The Colonel was surprised, “I thought you were invalided back to Blighty!”
“I was sir, but I’m fine now.”
“Do you want pie or macaroni cheese?”
“That’s a daft question Nosher I’ll have the pie.”2

“I know it’s a daft question but I have to ask because it’s my job to and the name is Barry not Nosher.”
The colonel jerked awake, it was male nurse Barry. He and Barry had a good relationship, as much as he hated relying on someone else for personal care he understood that since spinal arthritis had robbed him of his legs he could not do certain things and so the staff helped him. Barry was particularly good, they had a mutual respect and Barry did his best to maintain old Harry’s dignity. They shared a healthy banter in which Harry would criticise and bark orders and Barry would be rude back and do atrocious salutes but their friendship was firm and mutual.
“Come on Colonel Old Fart get a grip,” said Barry
“Cheeky blighter!” roared the colonel, “You should show more respect.”
“Righto colonel sir, sorry sir.” said Barry snapping to attention and saluting.
“That’s not a salute, that’s a disease you limp wristed buffoon.”
“Sorry sir,” another salute, “How’s that sir?”
“Good grief man, now you’re swatting flies! Pathetic.”
“Shut up you grumpy old so and so.” And so it went on in good natured bickering as Barry wheeled old Colonel McCreath down to the dining room for dinner.3

At six pm old Harry was returned to the lounge and, at his request, was put back by the window. Once Barry had left to sort out some of the other residents Harry was left in peace to gaze at the sunset over the car park and return to his memories.
“Back with us sir, enjoy the grub?” It was sergeant-major ‘Dickie’ Richards
“No not really”, he replied, “It was nearly as bad as Noshers concoctions.”
“Blimey! That is bad; I wouldn’t even give his stuff to the Gerrys!”
“Spanner?” enquired the Colonel looking around.
“Yus mate, colonel sir.” came the reply and then Harry saw him crawling out from under a lorry, covered in oil and muck.
The men gathered around the colonel and they chatted over old times. They talked of Private ‘Spanner’ Hodges and his ability to fix anything; of Noshers culinary habits; of places seen, battles fought and narrow escapes made. They laughed, sighed and reminisced.
“Why don’t you join us sir?” asked RSM Dickie Richards
“What? How? You are only a dream,” replied Harry
“Well in that case you can walk over to the lorry.” Said Spanner as the rest of them did just that.
“Don’t be daft, I’m stuck in this thing.” said a frustrated colonel.
“If it is a dream then you can walk,” called Nosher from the side of the lorry, “I’ve brewed you a tea, don’t let it get cold”
Old Harry Thought about it and thought to himself “Why not?” He placed his hands on the arms of the wheelchair, took a deep breath and stood. The pain was horrendous but brief. It shot through his back, across his chest and down both arms. He gritted his teeth and stood still staring straight ahead and as suddenly as it started the pain stopped. It seemed to just slide off him like an errant bed sheet. He stretched and the years seemed to fall away like autumn leaves, he had not felt this good in years. He looked over to his comrades, they seemed more real than ever, and they were clapping and beckoning him over. They welcomed him to the cooking fire with warmth and many claps on the back and hand shakes.
Corporal ‘Blanco’ White handed Harry a cup of tea,
“Here you are sir, Noshers finest and just as you like it – hot, strong and sweet.”4

“… just as you like it colonel – hot, strong and sweet.” Barry proffered a cup of tea to Harry, there was no response.
“Wakey wakey colonel, teas up … colonel … Harry …” he called nurse Betts,
“Quickly, get Mary” he hurriedly put down the tea and reached to take Harry’s pulse.
When Mary, the homes manager, came over she saw Barry with his ear to old Harry’s chest. She spoke and Barry stood up,
“Barry?”
“Better get an ambulance Mary. Tell them not to rush.” and he turned round and gave old Harry a textbook salute.
"Why the proper salute now?" asked nurse Betts.
"You wouldn't understand", replied Barry.5


“Look at that sir,” said Blanco pointing. Harry looked back in time to see Barry’s salute and hear him say,
“Goodbye colonel, it’s been a real honour.” Harry looked at Barry and then at the figure slumped in a wheelchair. He suddenly understood, he saluted Barry and said,
“You’re a good man Barry, thank you.”
“Sir” said Nosher “I think it’s time, look”. Harry turned back and then noticed a bright white light a way up the road.
“I think that is where we have to go lads come along,” said the RSM, “After you colonel.
“Why me first? We should all go together.”
“We will sir; we were only waiting for you. You led us in battle and you fought by our side, you always looked after us so you have earned the right to go in front.” Said Blanco and the men parted allowing Harry to pass between them. There were many more slaps on the back and ‘well done sir's' as he made his way to the head of the group. He pulled himself up to his full height and said with pride,
“Come on my boys, follow me!” and in the company of the bravest and best men he had had the pleasure of knowing he walked towards the light.

Author notes

This story is written in an attempt to ease the pain of my own mothers passing. She walked into the light herself in June 2008. {I don't know if it is working though.}
This is a story to show a brotherly love between men which is not sexual in nature. It is a love born in shared adversity.

Competion Entry:- Death

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 19 of 19

  • Yoko
    November 5
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    The ending was beautiful. "Come on boys, follow me!" This was a lovley read.

    Thanks for entering my contest! =^^=


  • lesbian-in-love
    October 16

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    This was very well written and enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks so much for entering and best of luck to you in the contest.


  • CantYouHearTheDrums
    August 8
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    This was fantastic. Watch out for spacing and stuff like that but otherwise... GOOD LUCK!


  • FireByrd
    July 7
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    Er um. okay I am so sorry about your mother. that really bites, but hey at least you had time to spend with her. My mom split 6 months after I was born. This story was pretty cool and interesting despite it not being my type. the characters are perfect and funny. I loved how they really talked.


  • May Kingston
    May 30

    Edit | Reply
    This is actually surprisingly good. It was well-written and the voices are perfect for old army buddies. Thanks for entering! This really was very real.


  • Lady Eventide Greeters member
    March 15
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    I was in tears in the end. My dad, ex-marine that he is, is always talking about his old buddies...about having dreams about them and everything. I saw him as the old man, although my dad isn't yet sixty, you know?

    Other than a few errors here and there, this is a heck of a piece! Really beautiful. I'm still in tears!

    Thank you so much for entering this in my contest. Good luck.


  • Atticus Unanimous
    March 8
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for changing the color of the text. This really is a lot better on my terrible eyes.

    At first I wasn't sure about this piece. Towards the end though, I started to really get into it. Apart from a few errors here and there, you seem to have a pretty firm grip on correct spelling and so forth, which makes me happy.

    I particularly enjoyed your characters in the dream sequences and how Barry floated in between as the link between reality and memory (and in a way, death).

    You did a really nice job here.


  • Savage
    March 8
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    I think this is the first time I've seen green font... sorry, I get random. Yes, this is a brilliantly written piece, melancholy rather than sad. There's a certain satisfaction in him standing, and Barry doing the salute.

    This is a textbook-ly unique and wonder piece.

  • Atticus Unanimous
    March 6
    Edit | Reply
    One rule I have is no yellow text becuase it hurts my eyes. I will finish reading this if you change the color by the eighth.


  • Web Haunting
    February 8
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    that was all sad and stuff! TT_TT it was really good though, i liked it! ^_^ great job

  • everlight
    February 6
    Edit | Reply
    Great and thanks for entering!


  • Dassy
    November 8, 2008
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    hehe... my name is Amber lol

    okies.. anyways I'm sorri about your mom passing in June, I have no idea what you must feel right now... but I know that it must be terrible
    your story didn't seem sad to me, but seemed like it had a happy ending, but I enjoyed it either way


  • Andy Stephenson gold member
    November 5, 2008

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    Good Story!

    Each speaker's dialogue should be separated. It would be easier to read that way. This is a good story. I had a hunch after beginning the story, how it might end.

    Thanks for entering For Serious About Reviews Group Only.

    Andy


  • Bradshaw 101
    November 4, 2008

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    Wow

    Despite the sad ending it brought a smile to my face. I like his soming in and out of conciosness (sp?) and the way his comrades had waited for him was a nice touch

    beginning: 3, language: 4, plot: 5, ending: 4, dialog: 4, characters: 5.


  • RxxSpiritWolfxxJ
    October 18, 2008

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    Awesome story. Powerful, and I enjoyed the Colonel's story and the camaderie he has with his men. Listen to Val's suggestions, and your story is well on it way!
    Thanks for entering.

    RJ


  • Valkyrie silver member
    August 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Aww, yay! *blows nose*

    That was a great story. You so got me with the lads all waiting for their CO like that. I liked the character of Nurse Barry as well.
    On an editorial note, you left a lot of your quotations without a final punctuation mark, whether comma or period, but other than that, it was a fine read!

    • Tomereader
      August 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for your comments, I am glad you enjoyed it and thank you for pointing out my (lack of) punctuation. I will endevour to put that right at some point


  • FatElf
    August 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    That's sad but, good tale. Good job in one read through. Tears almost welled up, but umm, war sucks as you know. This is about some Platoon? Wonder what happens next when he walked towards the light? Can you tell me? Just want to give a few words saying, excellent job.

    • Tomereader
      August 6, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I appreciate you taking the time to comment and am glad you liked it. As for the light that is whatever you need it to be. It could be the entrance to Heaven or some other paradise of even just a chance for them all to rest in perfect peace together, to be in that "... corner of some foreign field that is forever England".

1 - 19 of 19