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But it was one of the most glorious charges ever made in the history of the world. These men had done their bit. "Hullo," I said to one passing through on a stretcher, "got a 'blighty'?" "Yes, sir," he said; "rather sure Blighty for me." "And for me too," said another lad lying with him waiting attention, "I shan't be able to play footer any more. Look!"
Then men started to curse, threw their rifles on the floor of the car, others said nothing, seemed to be stupefied, while some had the tears running down their cheeks. It was a bitter disappointment to all. Now it was no Blighty for us. That return journey was misery to us; I just can't describe it.
We immediately fell in love with her until two days after, while we were on a march, we passed Flossie with her sleeves rolled up and the sweat pouring from her face unloading shells from a motor lorry. As our section passed her I yelled out: "Hello, Flossie, Blighty What Hopes?" Her reply made our love die out instantly. "Ah, go to hell!"
Then we both laughed. Little did we think then that we would both be coming back to "Blighty" on just such a ship; Sandy within a few weeks and I more than a year later. Before daylight we picked up a string of beacons, red and white, and dropped anchor. As soon as it was light we could see the harbor of Le Havre. I had been there before and recognized it quickly enough.
Then, as the invariable rule of war, there came the hundredth time when the unexpected happened. Shells, bombs, bullets they take the others and pass you by. But sooner or later, it will be "nah-poo." You can only pray Heaven it's a Blighty. With the German patrol, it was not. A whispered word came down the waiting line. "Get ready."
And scarcely a moan, scarcely a word of complaint! men giving up their turn with the surgeon to a comrade 'Never mind me, sir he's worse nor me! or the elder cheering the younger 'Stick it, young'un this'll get you to Blighty right enough! or, in the midst of mortal pain, signing a field postcard for the people at home, or giving a message to a padre for mother or wife.
On the same theory I became nearly convinced that a month in the trenches was good fun because it felt so good to get out. At the end of the week I was better but still shaky. I started pestering the M.O. to tag me for Blighty. He wouldn't, so I sprung the same proposition on him that I had on the doctor at the base, to send me back to duty if he couldn't send me to England.
'E ain't bloody well goin' to do 'is bloody solderin' in a 'cushy' job in Blighty like some of 'em. Not after rysin' us. Do it wiv 'is bloody self like a man; an' that's wot 'e is." The speaker glared accusingly; but his declaration agreed too well with what all thought for any one to take exception to it. The new Commanding Officer had been wounded at St.
Our right section commander got a blighty two days ago and is probably now in England. He went off on a firing battery wagon, grinning all over his face, saying he wouldn't sell that bit of blood and shrapnel for a thousand pounds. I'm wearing your tie it's the envy of the battery. All the officers wanted me to give them the name of my girl.
"I say," said Duff, brushing aside the compliment, "did young Pickles get through? That young devil is the limit. You'd have thought he was hunting coyotes." "Yes, he got through. Got a blighty though, I guess. It was he that told me about McCuaig." "Well, Pilot, old man," said Duff, taking him by the arm, "get out! Get out! Don't waste time. There may be a break any minute. Get out of here."
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