The Departure

The Departure 

10 November 2019
13:11

The Departure It was time to leave; Arthur picked up his battered attaché case which had
previously been used to carry his football kit. He was not wearing his best suit, as many others did when
answering the conscription; instead, he had chosen to put on a comfortable Harris Tweed sports jacket
and grey flannel trousers his comfortable brown shoes and his tweed flat cap, following the rules set by
Leeds United for all the team players.
 
May was wearing the light grey twin set with a dark blue hat and matching gloves, which Arthur had
bought for her last birthday with a matching skirt and her brown flat shoes, she was facing the two-mile
walk each way to the station and back; she wanted to look her best as Arthur left her for who knows
where or when, and she knew that the last view would be as important as the first, Arthurs last view
had to remain in his memory until such time; after all, as a footballers wife she was expected to
dress, look and act the part.
 
Exiting the house, Arthur locked the door and then handed the key to May saying “Here you are love, it’s yours to look after”, May put it into her handbag.
 
They set out to walk the two miles to the station, Arthur carrying his attaché case May holding
Harry's hand. They walked in comparative silence, just an occasional word; each with their own
thoughts; When would they meet again; how would May manage the household without Arthurs
guidance?
 
It had always been a partnership, Arthur was the "Man of the house" but they had always discussed
things. It wasn’t a case of do as I say, as was the case with many families where the wife had no say at
all; they worked as a team, and now one of the team was being taken away.
 
Arriving at the station Arthur handed over the travel warrant in exchange for a ticket. The clerk had seen
so many of these he knew where Arthur was going, he said "Best of luck mate" as he handed over the
ticket and returned to his work; thinking 'How soon it will be when will I be in his position?
Only those who work directly with the trains are exempt the forces and more young women are being
recruited to take over office work.
It was twenty minutes to the trains arrival time. Arthur carried his bag into the cold waiting room.
May said, "It’s cold in here."
"Better than standing out in the wind though" Arthur replied. "I suppose so" replied May.
 
It seemed like hours before the porter poked his head round the door and announced that the train was
due in a few minutes.
They rose and slowly walked out on to the platform, each trying unfailingly to put off the final moment of departure,
May now carried the attaché case as a sort of last act of kindness for him, with Harry in her other hand
.
The train pulled up at the platform, Arthur bent down to Harry and said 

"You are the man of the house now, look after mummy for me"; he then gave May a cuddle and said “Take care love, I will write with my address as soon as I can” turned and entered a deserted compartment and lowered the window.
 
There was chuff from the engine as it began to pull away,
May and Arthur touched hands. As the train
moved on May followed waiving to Arthur until they went round the bend in the track and was lost to
sight. May stood watching the back of the departing train as though wishing it to return and saying a
private prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary requesting her to ask her son Jesus to take care of him.
'Please Mary Mother of God watch over Arthur and keep him safe, bring him back unharmed,
please help me to keep Harry safe'
 
May and Harry walked home in silence. Each deep in thought of what the future may hold
May calculated mentally how she could eke out her money.
Arthur got One Pound per week from the
mill and another Pound from his football, less if they lost and more when they won. Now it would only
be Tens Shillings from the Air Force and another Five Shillings from the United.
She wouldn’t need food for Arthur or any snap for his work, that’s where much of the money went food for sandwiches. Then Harry’s clothes; the gas and electric were on prepayment meters;
Arthur had a jar of shillings for that, but it won’t last forever.

I will have to keep saving shillings in the jar and hopefully, I will keep on top of those,
I can use the coal fire for heating a kettle and keep water in the 'Yorky' (1) that should save some money.
Gas was only used to boil a kettle for a drink and wash themselves and pot and pans with on wash days
she used the setpot (2)

(1) Yorky A combination fire range consisting of a central open fire with an oven to one side and a water boiler to the opposite Underneath them was a space open to the main fire where hot coals could be pushed to heat oven or water
Thus, the single fire could be utilized; saving on fuel  
Usually constructed of plain metal, which the house wife would burnish with ‘liquid ‘Black Lead’
The hinges to the oven door were often made of brass also polished, using ‘Brasso’ metal polish

(2) Setpot A cauldron set into a brick-built stand, with a space underneath where they could light a fire; usually, a few embers from the main fire would be placed in then covered with firewood.
The cauldron was filled by a pipe from the single cold tap and emptied by ladling the water out, the final drops had to be taken out using cloths or an old towel and squeezing them dry

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

You have written an account of what must have been a familiar situation in war time Britain. That last heart wrenching goodbye, not knowing whether you would ever set eyes on your loved ones again and leaving the home in the safekeeping of the woman in the family. And didn't they have to step up to the plate to keep the home fires burning. A good read

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Christine > It is a chapter in a book in am slowly writing
Began with family during the Industrial Revolution creating a woollen mill and one side building homes for the mill workers > Intend to go through the was years > We have stored food in the cellar . All are on the site

I was three the memories stay with you > the train taking dad away down the line & the uphill walk back home to grannies

[Dave Brown]

I wonder one day if "they'll" be able to attach a machine to our head and play back the memories'read moreI wonder one day if "they'll" be able to attach a machine to our head and play back the memories'
Possibly not a great idea

[Wild Rose]

Nice thought Christine
They do have voice recognition machines And THINK ones which can distinguish different words
They would have a real job if the got someone with a strong local accent and dialects

[Paul Bell]

Off to war, no exceptions, well maybe some. Your country needs you.
Yet right away, there are two wars. Harry's war after a short training period.
Mays war, looking after the house and lack of money.
Great write. You can feel it.

[Wild Rose]

Same when it came to our turn to go for National Service
Some got exemptions for educational reasons
We went at 21 after your apprenticeship Medical doctors were taken after they passed the medical exams at 26

My pat went from £5 per week to £1-10s

[Paul Bell]

could you imagine that happenin g today. Just dropping your salary old chap, hope you don't mind.

[Ana Papaya]

Wild Rose, you are quite the story teller.
I often get lost reading stories and I can never pinpoint exactly why but your telling of it kept me engaged right through. I found myself feeling for this woman's predicament, and I imagine that there were so many women in the same predicament during those years when the men went off to war.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you > Pleased it kept your interest right through

[Onlyme]

A heartbreaking scene pictured perfectly within our mind's eye on reading this familiar situation that happened during wartime in the UK. You could really relate and understand how they felt. Both the soldier going to war. And their families. The emotional piece is done, sensitively and nicely.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Dawn
I was three at the time

[Samuel Dickens]

Although you've omitted quotation marks and placed more than one speaker per line, the story is well-worded and easily understood. Even though it takes place in a different time and locale, I could easily sense their feelings, having been a military person myself. There's fear and sorrow all around, then the possibility of friction when the service member returns. By necessity, wives learn to take care of everything by themselves and may have difficulty returning to their previous role.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you for your constructive comment > It was written as a draft for a book about life as a child in wartime
But moves to an earlier time to the beginning of the firm my family was part of >> To send to my late sister's girl in NZ she knows nothing of our families history
I will use your comments when I come to rewrite

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

A great reminder of how war puts the ordinary people to test. A greatly moving story of apprehension and deprivation. A reminder of the horrors to people in peace time.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you > I am the 3 year old seeing daddy off
More to be written > 'Arthur' > was dad entering the RAF and how they were treated > 'Birth of an empire' is about the development of a firm started by my ancesters . no mobile phones TV or cars

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Those who have lived through it have so much to tell. They know what life is and how to appreciate it. You are welcome.

[emmajoy]

What wonderful details, what heartwarming though sad as sad memories! Your thoughts shine loud and clear here, seems as if you've just set pen to paper and let thoughts and pictures flow - simply yet with amazing detail, touches of fact couched in such personal language. Reading the second time, aloud.. i can near hear the voices, the concern, the stress. The love. How many times must this chapter have been real, distinct - not just in our country but all over Europe. This is a story about courage and necessity, dear friend. Superb writing. Sighhh.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Pleased you have read and you comment

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Great period writing Wild Rose. Excellently written and detailed story of WWII British soldiers and their brides and the sacrifices both made. You bring to live the characters, places, customs and settings in vivid and authentic descriptions. I Would love to read more of Arthur, May and Harry’s experiences.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Pleased you liked it
I have rewritten the chapter one and posted as "Birth of an Empire" with a sequel to follow then - re read May and Artur got to include May's sister > 'Returning Home' follows

Actually it is the story of my family > I was three when dad left (I have his trip to the first camp written . might have posted it will have a look


Book "Harry Worth story of a wartime childhood
PeteC

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I read this with great interest. I loved it throughout its entirety i will try to read the other chapters from beginning to end.
You have a gift for description and the mood of the time came across very clearly.
The details are perfect, loved it, thanks so much

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Pleased I managed to keep you with us
memories of a three year old
Re writing the first chapter at present

[Gee]

Finally got round to reading, as suggested by your good self. There must be an ageing generation that will be able to relate to this, the teary goodbyes, uncertainty, fear, but also the excitement of an adventure in the offing.
Enjoyed this muchly young fella :))

[Wild Rose]

Don't know about 'Adventure'
Both parents had been kids during WWI
I was three YO
read moreDon't know about 'Adventure'
Both parents had been kids during WWI
I was three YO

At present rewriting the prologue part
Sent part to NZ to (Late) sisters girl
Her reply say she knows nothing about our family history [her mum died at 59 yo]

[Verse]

This is early 20th century literature, without question! Although I’m not from the war era, my parents met and married in postwar Britain, where I was born. I am old enough to remember a lot of what you described.

What I enjoyed was the attention to detail, down to the coal fire, set against the enormous sense of helplessness for her. She focuses on tiny things she can control, the choice of shoe. This description is as clear as a screenplay. :):)

Excellent flow throughout, with the odd typo toward the end. Nothing major, easy fixes. Apart from that, a stirring piece from a bygone era. :):)

V

[Wild Rose]

Thank you for reading Love you review

Lots of it I do remember I was three
Remember the tension about - even kids can pick those things up and two cyclisy riding up the road with hand bells shouting something out
Not many had radios (wireless's they called them)
Ran on two 'Lechlanche' cells ours at weekend only

I am rewriting the prologue at present

[Verse]

The two cyclists were probably the telegram delivery boys, with news of the dead.

[Wild Rose]

No we had a wireless (radio) which ran on batteries (Lechlanche cells) that lasted to weekend -
read moreNo we had a wireless (radio) which ran on batteries (Lechlanche cells) that lasted to weekend -
We & granny were 'rich' the two cyclists were shouting - Mum said war had been declared - That I wouldn't understand

Prim Minister had just announced the declaration of war
Telegram boys wore uniform and knocked on the door and had to wait for a reply > Sorry no reply (missing: dead: injured and in hospital )