***
…I remember the first time I met James, we were working together on the construction site, it was his first day and I was the one to “show him the ropes”. At first I was uncertain of his character, but I grew to like him and we soon became the best of friends.
I can recall one particular day at the construction site. We were up on some scaffolding, on the second floor, when James and I saw an abandoned newspaper on the floor below. In big bold letters we caught the front page “WE ARE AT WAR!” And then it came to me: join the armed forces, fight for my pride, fight for my country. I had been following the story of Britain’s fears of Russia becoming too powerful sea-wise and wanted to join to keep Britain’s great navy victorious. I always thought that there was something more important I could do than just work at a construction yard all my life so this was my chance.
***
Back at the camp it was getting late. James and I were conversing about tomorrow. We were all having a laugh with the others who had been joking and having fun - but you could see it, you could see it in their eyes, the fear, the waiting. The worst part was the waiting. Not knowing what would happen next.
It was silent in the mess tent. Everyone was subdued and there was little chatter. No one was eating, we were all too nervous to eat. We knew we were going into battle and wondered if we would ever return, some people were starting to regret joining because they might not see what would happen in the end. I overheard some conversations but it was clear to see in their eyes. Someone dropped their plate and the clatter was like the gunshots we were waiting for.
***
Judgement day. The trumpets signalled that it was time to prepare. I jumped out of bed and pulled on my uniform, we didn’t have time for breakfast. I was scared. My arms were shaking. I know I was not an officer but looking ahead, it does not look like a straight forward mission, there could be a Russian ambush in the trees either side of us and if that happened we would be cannon fodder. As a lowly member of the cavalry I knew we must always follow our orders but I still didn’t think this was a good idea.
CHARGE…
We galloped full speed ahead into the valley; we rode across a blood red plain. The nerves made me feel dizzy; I thought I was going to lose balance. There was something wrong. I could feel that something was going to happen, something bad. I looked up and the mouths of the cannons yawned ahead of me. The shots were deafening people started to panic as the horses collapsed. A deafening whale pierced my ears as I see men, bothers on the floor howling in pain, it was sickening how intense, how sharp the screams were, they cut my heart like the sharpest blade. The stench cordite as the Russians opened fire, the usual friendly smell of the horse was concealed by the stench of fear and death. There is a black hatred inside me for all the Russians who have taken the lives of all my friends in this cold blooded ambush.
It was a blood bath. Looking over the battlefield when we made it back from a massive ambush it was devastating. Almost our whole brigade was just wiped out in seconds. My eyes were searching for James but all I could see were bodies squirming in the distance. James was nowhere to be found. I wish I knew, I wish I knew what happened. The unknown made me uneasy as he could have been captured; he could still have been on the battlefield.
It was a big mistake going into the valley of death because we lost a lot of men. I lost a great friend. I don’t regret joining the army because I know I fought for my country and sometimes that’s the price you have to pay. But it isn’t easy to forget the blood bath in the valley. Was it worth it? Only time will tell.
