A ShortStory Based On: Conrades an Eposode

I knew that it was coming, the day I had been d skiming. Ein truthone was express that it was great, time we taught those Germans a lesson and that we had a duty to do for our country. simply I was different. I knew what it was going to be wish entirely when forever I tested to speak aside no one listened and said that I was a coward. May be it was true I didnt want to die.I packed up my stuff it had been eight days since I had received the auriclen informing me that I had to go to war. I had no choice. I had to go. I feeling I would be better finish get through beneficial kill my self right now. I had no hope in war. vertical look at me 5 feet 2 and weighing just 8 stones. What good for beguile I be in the Great contend?I said an emotional removedewell to my family my mum especi whollyy I had al ways been closest to her. My tonic had always thought of me as a no hoper. He was big and strong nothing like me solo he said was good wad with a firm handshake. I could tell he didnt think I was going to last very long what possibly could someone like me do on the battlefield.I was taken to Chesterfield rail station along with an other(a) 150 y discloseh recruits. We were then(prenominal) to be taken to Winchester army base .I was sitting in the first carriage seat 6a. I was nervous and tired merely slightly excited .I was the fist in my seat. It was alphabetically solely with a name like Alfred Ambrose I had no choice. I could hear lot giggling and looking and pointing. I could imagine what they were saying I have resonaten an ear wig bigger than that.I sat drink down and took out a book. We were told that it was going to be a sise-hour journey. I was disturbed by a deep voice Hi nice to meet you Im Tim Bright. Tim was a big man, he do me look like a nanus but my first impression was that he was a gentle giant. He sat down and took out a comic he was 23 and comfort reading comics but he explained that he had never been taught to read I felt sorry for him. But I was sure that no one was going to mess with him.I read up to chapter six but I was tired, I had not had too much ease the night before, I couldnt target to sleep because I was nervous and perturbing to leave my family. I shut my eyes and tilted my head. I was woken by the sound of the steam engine stopping. I perceive a peach and the doors flung open. The 22 men from my carriage departed and formed an orderly queue. When all 150 men ranging from 17 23 had left the train a fine man with a moustache came round the corner with a green uniform on with socks tucked into shorts and a non-white cane down the stairs his arm. He didnt look scary but looked as if he could get angry very easily.He introduced him self as Corporal Blake Right lads, you are to be based here for 4 days, during this time you will go by means of basic training and get to know your fellow comrades. Then you will be shipped of to France and split into pontoons you will be driven to Shrewsbury dock and trans user interfaceed across the English Channel to Normandy.We were then taken to our dormitory roomitories, they were broken and were full moon of old bunk beds made out of thin metal. There was a musty smell in the style but this didnt make much difference I was only here for 4 days. Training was due to start tomorrow. I sat on the bed and thought about what was to get by. I was sharing with the same(p) spate from my carriage so at least I had seen all the faces before. I was on the bottom bunk and Tim was on the top he came down and we played a nice friendly game of black jackass with a few of the other guys. It was getting dark and I was impression tired I lied down on the bed but it wasnt very comfortable but It would do. Ding a ling, ding a ling I was woken at 7oclock by the sound of a bighearted bell fitted in all dormitories. It was earlier than I was utilize to but I had had a long sleep so I was legal opinion refreshed. This gave us time to have a shower and eat breakfast, which wasnt in particular nice, warm lumpy porridge had never been my favourite.This was our last day before we manipulate off for Normandy. Today we were due to received our kit. It took all day for everyone to get kited out, I was near the beginning due to my name but this did hold me time to think and write my parents a letter. It was six thirty by the time every one was establish. Then we were called to the briefing room (a actually big long room with a desk). We were given our orders and instructed to be fixate by four thirty for a five oclock sharp leave. formerly once more the bell was to be sounded there was to be 35 trucks full of men and 12 full of equipment. Ding a ling, ding a ling up we got and out side we went, lining up following(a) to our assigned truck. We climbed in, when given the order as warned we left at 5 0clock.A convoy of 47 trucks. In my truck there were the men from my dorm but my only real friend was Tim I sat conterminous to him and we just talked of infrastructure. The journey was only going to be 2 hours so it wasnt that adult but it was really uncomfortable.We arrived at Shrewsbury dock at 4 minutes past cardinal. Our so-called ferry was to leave at seven thirty. It was more of a raft than a proper boat made out of iron with a small sheltered area with a little engine only capable of a top fixedness of 8 knots. We were told that we couldnt travel in anything to big, as it was too DANGEROUS because we ran the insecurity of being bombed. I thought it would still be pretty promiscuous to see 32 boats crossing the English channel but that was the sympathy we had to go at a time of low light ready to be there at noon so we could fight like a shot away.The crossing was rough but not quite as bad as I had expected. We arrived at a small naval port in west Normandy there were only a few other men waiting our arrival but they did let of a small cheer to make us feel welcome which was enough for me. We locate down and received our equipment it was so heavy I could hardly stand up. But the worst of it was still to come we had to march 6 miles with our equipment to get used to the weight and the amount of walking that was to come in the future. We set off in good sprits but after almost 2 hours we still had not arrived at our string hold on the front. But we had seen and heard our first exchange of bullets and shells this just reminder us of the reality and the author that we are here.It was scary but I was ready to fight, I exponent not be much good but I had come this far there was no point indorseing out now. We marched through a small French town deserted but under close watch from our allies. The trenches were just 200 yards but we had to walk some other half mile along them before we got to the fighting. We were to be stationed along the trenches as backup and reserves for the troops already there.As I had expected Tim had been put in charge of our pon toon it was only twelve strong. He had been chosen because of his big performance in the training. The noise was amazing there were non-stop firing and exploding. I just wondered how you were supposed to sleep. I was told that you didnt even try to sleep just for the fear of a grenade or shell landing near by.I wasnt concentrating when I heard a bellow section 2 it was Tim our pontoon were unavoidable on the front line for the first time and it was only our tail day here. Right lads, we are needed the others have been drooping like flies lets do it for our selves and our country. One last thing good luck.It wasnt the best speech but Tim wasnt that good with words. We moved forward as a team, for the first time I loaded my rifle and looked out over the trench wall for to see a mess of bollix and barbed wire, craters and even dead bodies. I had got through 56 rounds off ammo in 3 days we had only lost 2 lives which was a good ratio compared to things before.Lets go lads we are g oing over the top This is what I had been dreading, there were 4 other sections going with us to try and make 12 yards to the next set of trenches where we were needed as back up. This was the most dangerous part of the job so far as we were venerable to German fire as well as our own sides as they try to protect.1,2,3,4,510 OK lets go I was running with my head down when my first nightmare came true. Tim had been hit only in the leg but it looked bad he was like a sitting duck, there was no way he could survive. I fortunately made it to the other side, we had suffered 6 deaths and 4 injuries. I looked back to see Tim still alive in pain I couldnt leave him I had to try and save him. I knew I was mad and stupid but he was my best mate I had to.I climbed over the back of the trench with a determined look in my eye, I ran as quickly as I could and reached him in good health, he looked bad, crazy and weak, blood pouring out of his wound. I grabbed him by the arms and pulled with my l ittle strength luckily it was enough. I was only a meter away when I felt an unbearable pain in my set about back, I collapsed and couldnt move. I knew it was bad but even worse I had failed Tim what patient of of a friend was I.Fortunately we were close to the trench and we had a chance, as expected two men crawled out and dragged us back to the galosh of our own trench. The medic was called for and looked at Tim first because he was more meaning(a) than I was. The verdict was good he and his leg could be saved. It was fasten and he was taken away. I was not quite so booming I thought I had no change of walking again and would be lucky to still be a live in 12 hours I was taken to the nearest hospital along with Tim. It didnt injustice that much mainly because I had no feeling up to my navel.12 WEEKS LATERI had been lucky the doctors had managed to save me but I was paralysed from the lower back down. I was in a roll chair and in the same ward as Tim. He was staggering abou t and was on course for a full recovery. Tim and my self were due to go home in three hours there was no use for us anymore. We were twain injured and could do nothing to help our country. All I was blissful about was that I had managed to save my friend he said he owed every thing to me and promised to look after me for as long as he could.I was sedated for the crossing to stop pain and discomfort I thought back 16 weeks ago when I was on my way to France not on the way back in a wheel chair. We arrived earlier than expected and my parents were not there yet it wasnt long until they arrived and were take aback when they saw me. Tim went over and explained what had happened and how I was a hero in his and everyone elses eyes. My Dad came over and said, Im proud of you my son This was the first time he had ever said anything like that to me.I went home to a heros welcome, totally unannounced every one in the town lined the streets to cheer me home. They thought of me as someone special who gave his ability to walk to save another(prenominal) persons life.Thats not the end of it I was even given a heroism award presented to me by Her Majesty the Queen. But if anyone asks I would do the same again to save my best and only friend Tim.