War to a Boy

War to a boy

The question was heard almost before his Great grandson had burst into the room

“Granddad I need you to help me with my homework’.”

Frank spun his wheelchair around and away from the window to look at the excited ten year old who was now bouncing on his bed.

“All right Jimmy that’s if I can, now what’s it about?”

‘It’s about the war’ Grandad, I’ve got to write about the first world war, you were in the war weren’t you granddad?”

“I was Jimmy, yes I was.” Then as the memories came back Frank patting the bed for Jimmy to sit on said.

“Yes Jimmy I remember, yes. I remember how I was just eighteen the day when I joined the army. It was me, me and my best mate Danny we both went down to the town hall and joined up together.  We thought with the uniforms we’d get all the girls and have a bit of a laugh, but we never thought it would turn out like it did.

I remember the train down to Dover, and then there was the training, oh we were all excited. We were going to show the bosh. Oh Jimmy, just pray you never have to go to war.

“What happened next Grandad?”

“They put us on a train to the front, I don’t think any of us realised what it was going to be like.”

“Was it all fighting Grandad?” There was a moment silence before Jimmy asked. “Did you shoot any Germans?”

“I don’t know Jimmy, I don’t know, but I know they shot a lot of us, and Danny.”

There was silence then.

“Danny,” Again there was silence followed by. “Danny copped one the second day. It was up and over the top, and Danny.”  There was silence as Jimmy watched his grandad wipe away a tear. “Danny copped one before he even got over the top. I saw him fall, I thought he had just slipped, but I never saw him again. I didn’t know until after the war. There was mud blood and bodies and all for what, just from here to that road, four hundred yards, all those dead, and it went on and on. Four years Jimmy, and all for nothing. Jimmy lad, just hope and pray that there is never another war like the one to end all wars that I fought in.”

Jimmy sat silent for a moment and then said.

“There was one though, wasn’t there Grandad?”