Read 1914 (British Ace) for Free Online

affectionately, “And look after this old boy.  He’s a good ‘un.” He shook my hand.  We didn’t go in for hugs or great shows of affection.  It wasn’t our way. “And try to write.  Your mum would like that.  I know you might not have time but you know women.”
    “Aye dad.   I’ll be alright you know?”
    I could see him becoming a little upset himself and he just nodded and said, very quietly, “I know son but… well you best get off to the barracks then eh?”
    As soon as we were issued our kit we knew we were not going to sunny climes. It was the heavy woollen brown uniform which meant northern Europe. The orders were pinned up on the barracks wall; we were to take a troop train down to Kent and a holding area there. That was exciting and daunting at the same time. We knew that trying to get horses into a train would not be easy.
    My section was made up of good lads.  I was lucky in that they were all troopers who worked with horses and had all grown up around Burscough.  There were others in the regiment who could ride but mine happened to be the ones who worked and cared for horses.  It made life easier. Thus it came about that Major Harrison designated us to be the ones to travel with the horses. The boys complained but secretly they were pleased to have been chosen.  It made them seem special. I split the section up so that there were two of three of us with every two horseboxes. It would be an eight hour journey so we had plenty of water.  We also made sure that we had shovels. Horses were messy enough as it was, a rocking railway carriage would do nothing to settle them.
    I had the Brown boys with me.  I knew them well; they worked on the estate farm next to our cottage.  They were dependable.  Their conversation left a little to be desired; they were mainly interested in chasing women and girls.  They had not had much success but it didn’t stop them buying every new hair product which came on to the market.  They were convinced that the right combination of oil and perfume smeared on their heads would draw women like moths to a flame. It amused me. The other reason I liked them was that they were good singers and singing kept the horses calm. As we left Burscough Station the horses started to become agitated. 
    “Come on lads, give us a song. Send them to sleep.”
    Although they were in different carriages we had the adjoining doors open so that they could hear each other. Doddy hummed the opening and his brother joined in.  They chose a lilting Irish melody.  Soon every man in my section was singing.
    Oh, Danny Boy the pipes are calling
    From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
    The summer's gone and all the roses falling,
    It's you, it's you must go, and I must bide,
    But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
    Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow.
    It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
    Oh, Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you son!
     
    But when ye come, and all the flow'rs are dying,
    If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
    Ye'll come and fine the place where I am lying,
    And kneel and say an A-ve there for me;
    And I shall hear though soft you tread above me,
    And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
    For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
    And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
     
    The effect on the horses was nothing short of miraculous.  Soon every horse was chewing happily from their nosebags. The boys all enjoyed the singing. Doddy and Tiny knew many songs and they even sang a couple of the newer songs.  Those were sung just by the two of them but, as the others listened and learned the words they joined in too.
    Up to mighty London came an Irishman one day,
    As the streets are paved with gold, sure ev'ryone was gay;
    Singing songs of Piccadilly, Strand and Leicester Square,
    Till Paddy got excited, then he shouted to them there:--
     
    "It's a long way to Tipperary,
    It's a long way to go;
    It's a long way to Tipperary,
    To