“No. You are to take over the battalion,acting colonel. Put the rank up with effect from breakfast tomorrow. I am to bemade a brigadier in the New Army, under Braithwaite as major general. I don’t knowhis replacement. I am to take a lieutenant with me as staff. I thoughtMichaels?”
Vokes quickly assumed the gravest ofexpressions, shaking his head solemnly.
“I am sure Wincanton would be bettersuited to the function, sir. A fine, upstanding young fellow and at home inSociety as well as in the Army!”
“Balls, Vokes!”
“As you say, sir. I will be unhappy tolose a man of Michaels’ stature, sir. Easily the best of the subalterns. Afighting man, through and through.”
It was a fair point. Taking Michaels awaywould to an extent impair the battalion. The loss of Wincanton, on the otherhand, might go a way to improving their efficiency.
“I owe the battalion a favour, I suppose…Very well. Inform Wincanton of his good fortune and make sure he is ready to goin the morning, Vokes. Pack his bag and hold his hand for him, I would suggest.”
“I shall pass the word quietly. Theappointment will be much favoured – I am sure that all will agree he will makea good staff officer.”
“You mean he is utterly useless and onlymarginally qualifies as a member of the human race?”
“Precisely, sir! Just what one expects ofthe breed.”
Richard shook his head.
“I trust you will all appreciate thesacrifices I have made for this battalion, Vokes. My congratulations, by theway. In my opinion you are more than capable of leading a battalion. I had, infact, previously recommended that you should go back to Blighty, to take over aNew Army battalion. Staying here in the 8th will be better for you andfor the men. With your agreement, I shall inform the Mess tonight before dinner.”
“A good idea, sir. Sensible to inform themall in the evening rather than expect them to understand anything at thebreakfast table. What of the RSM, sir?”
“O’Grady? I cannot take him with me, canI?”
Richard’s knowledge of the Regulations wasfar less than Vokes’. He had no years of peacetime service behind him, had hadno opportunity to peruse The Book and discover all of its wrinkles.
“It is possible, sir. If you need to establishan administrative cadre then a senior warrant officer could head the neworganisation. Not as a sergeant major, as such, but at equivalent rank.”
“I shall speak to Braithwaite.”
“Sir, I am told that I may need a warrantofficer to set up my administration, run my offices for me.”
“I wondered when that would occur to you, Baker.Strictly speaking, it cannot be done – you should look for a body on a Home posting,unfit for service at the Front. In practice, all things are possible when ageneral and a brigadier wish to fiddle them. I understand that O’Grady is areformed character, has forsworn the booze?”
“He has become a model of all that asoldier should be, sir. I will be pleased to have him at my shoulder when wecome out in May.”
“Let it be so. I shall arrange the papersfor our party. Yourself, Michaels and O’Grady together with your batman, I believe.”
“No, sir. Major Vokes fell down on bendedknee before me, begged that I should not take Michaels from him. He is far thebest of the subalterns for his aggressive spirit, I must admit. Wasted on thestaff. In exchange for suggesting that I take O’Grady, Vokes offered meWincanton.”
“He, of course, is ideal for the position,being utterly useless as a soldier. I shall put his name in place of Michaels.”
Wincanton was called to the colonel’soffice, found him there with Major Vokes. He stood to attention and saluted, rememberingto use the right hand, wondering what he had forgotten to do.
“Back to England for five months, sir, asyour staff? Oh, please, sir! My father will be so delighted, sir, especiallythat I am working to you, sir!”
Richard hid his distaste. He thought hedisliked Wincanton’s father slightly more than the son.
“Be ready for eight o’clock in themorning, Wincanton. If you are so much as one minute late, I shall go withoutyou and find a replacement in England.”
Wincanton swore he would be on time, earlyin fact, and ran off to find the servant he shared and make a nuisance ofhimself while the man packed for him.
Sergeant Major O’Grady came next.
“If you wish, ‘Major, you are to be mywarrant officer in charge of my brigade’s office. Aldershot until May, when webring the New Army across to France.”
“Thank you, sir. Working to you will keepme happy, sir. I shall require one day to gen up my successor in the battalion.I can then make my own way to Aldershot, sir, given the papers and travel warrants.”
“See Mr Hawkeswill. He will deal with allof that.”
O’Grady saluted and marched out, noddingto Paisley as he left.
“Why, Paisley?”
“Never said it, sir, and don’t knownothing. He can’t just walk out, sir, without handing over the deals to JimCrowe what will take over. Jim’s not the senior sergeant, but he’s the one theyreckon is best. He has to take him to the rear and make him known to the rightpeople, sir. Can’t leave the battalion without its supplies, sir.”
“You mean the gin and vanrouge and freshbread and cheese that turns up every week or two?”
“That’s right, sir. The stuff you don’tknow nothing about. Don’t grow on trees, do it?”
“How does he pay for it, Paisley?”
Paisley put a finger to the side of hisnose, the sign that he was not actually saying anything, was not to be quoted.
“Got his store of souvenirs, sir. From thetrenches we took at Loos. He puts them to his middleman and they go to the docksand back to England. Good money for them there. Helmets and belt buckles andthose Lugers get most. Any sorts of badges fetch a few bob. Bayonets as well. Rifles,if they can get them across – a bit big and bulky, they are. German paybookssell as well, especial if they got a bit of blood on them. I know they want oneof them Parabellum machine guns, if they can get hold of one, but they’re muchtoo big a risk,
