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    The Vein Openers
    The Vein Openers
    The Vein Openers
    Ebook220 pages3 hours

    The Vein Openers

    By John Marshall

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    Beresford who had first thought Shoults objective would be the town of Albuera, saw he was mistaken, and therefore deployed troops to thwart Shoults spearhead.
    It was every man for himself now with fierce hand- to -hand fighting. The conflict now became an overwhelming fight for survival.
    Turning to look for Robbie, I had to be alert for a French bayonet or a Polish lance would have been through me.
    The carnage continued, with bodies from both camps, dead and wounded lying amongst dead cavalry horses. If you had been in hell you would have been in a better place. With another quick look for Robbie I spotted him alongside Matt Hayes and Will Smith, the three of them disabling a Polish lancers horse, and then after pulling him to the ground, all three bayoneting him.
    The carnage increased, when in desperation the French artillery opened up again with a bombardment in our direction, killing both French and allied soldiers. You could see and hear the canon balls, as they flew past our heads, some connecting causing decapitation.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAuthorHouse UK
    Release dateJan 29, 2014
    ISBN9781491890462
    The Vein Openers
    Author

    John Marshall

    Having moved to Switzerland, and qualified as a historian (Masters, Northumbria University, 2016), the author came across the story of the Savoyards in England and engaged in this important history research project. He founded an association to develop Anglo Swiss relations regarding this story, in liaison with Cadw, Château de Grandson, Yverdon and others.

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      Book preview

      The Vein Openers - John Marshall

      Chapter 1

      "S teady, men! Steady! STE—ADY!!,

      Heads up, men!

      Keep your rifles high!

      Let the Frenchies see your bayonets!

      Your bayonets I said, smart arse!

      Don’t let me see you lift your kilt again soldier!"

      That’s my brother Robbie always good for a laugh but Sergeant Major Bell wasn’t having any of it,

      Keep your brother under control, Udney he blasted.

      Yes Sergeant, I replied.

      Drum, Drum darum Drum Drum

      Drum Drum durum Drum Drum.

      The drums are getting louder and closer, Udney,

      Yes they are Robbie,

      Just then Colonel Gray rode up on his big black horse, calling out:

      Right then, laddies, for King and Country, King George and Country, keep that Highland square intact. Wait till you smell their garlic breaths!

      Do you remember when we first heard that cry Robbie.?

      Aye Udney, I remember that day well, when we both fell down that chimney in Edinburgh Castle and into the fireplace in the Great Hall. Aye, Robbie. Colonel Gray was having a meeting with other senior officers, at first he thought we were French spies!

      Aye well, look where it has got us today, Udney.

      Its not too bad, Robbie, it ‘s only a training exercise here in the Kings Field at Holyrood. It’s not like we were in France fighting the French, and it’s just as well Robbie for you may have got your manhood shot off if a real French sniper had seen you lift your kilt! Here is Sergeant Bell coming, Robbie, we better smarten up.

      Right men, said the Sergeant, that is it for now, it might be the real thing the next time, get into line and we will march back up to the Castle.

      We were only young boys when we cleaned chimneys in Edinburgh, the first day we started at the Castle. Our boss, big Tam Mcadam the sweep shouted up the chimney to me,

      Udney get them brushes down and stop dreaming.

      He was always shouting at me, but I wasn’t dreaming, it is not everyday you get to climb a chimney in Edinburgh Castle. I remember that day, I was up on that big lum (chimney). What a view,! I could see right over the river Forth and as far as the Highlands. That was when I looked down on the Castle esplanade and saw all the soldiers in their kilts and bonnets gathered together along with the pipers and the drummers.

      Edinburgh%20castle%20Image%201%20copy.jpg

      Do you remember Robbie? I couldn’t wait to tell you.

      Aye, you were so excited when you came down that chimney, Udney. You kept ranting on about joining the army and wearing the kilt, and marching down the Royal Mile to the pipes and drums with your rifle over your shoulder, I will be a soldier too, with you Udney, I said. We asked that big sodger, (soldier), we called him a big kiltie sodger, can we join the army sir? He laughed, then said, ‘aye if you go home and get all that soot washed off, come back in ten years, and then we will think about it, go on the pair of you get away home.’

      "Yes, Robbie but it would be quicker than he thought, for the next day while we were cleaning the chimney in the Great Hall, we slipped coming down the chimney into the huge fireplace, Colonel Gray and some other senior officers were discussing plans to raise an army to defend Great Britain in the event of an invasion by the French who we were at war with. The Colonel thought we might be spies until that ‘big kiltie sodger’ as we called him, came in.

      Permission to speak sir?

      Yes, carry on Sergeant Major, said the Colonel.

      Well sir these two lads are chimney sweeps, they are cleaning the chimneys in the Castle before the winter comes, they are not spies sir. Yes, yes, yes, said Colonel Gray, I know that.

      Well, said the Sergeant Major, (Hugh Bell was his name), they actually want to join the army sir."

      Join the army? said the Colonel, they are too bloody young to join the army, man, and look at them—they are as black as the Earl of Hell’s waistcoat! Who employs these laddies anyway? Don’t they know it is illegal to send boys up chimneys these days? What are your names? he bellowed.

      I am Udney Marshall, sir, I said nervously, and Robbie piped up, I am Robbie Marshall, sir, then gave him a salute. The Colonel gave a little chuckle at that.

      And who is sending you up these bloody chimneys lads? He asked.

      Its Big Tam Mcadam, sir, oor gaffer, we work for him.

      Get this Big Tam Mcadam in here immediately he ordered.

      Yes sir, said Sergeant Bell, and went to fetch him. In came big Tam.

      Do you know? said the Colonel, that sending laddies up chimneys to clean them has been outlawed?

      Been outlawed, said Tam, well nobody told me about that, and any way these two are bound to me for another three years.

      No they are not, roared Colonel Gray, they are joining the King’s army as junior soldiers, so there, you can get some other way to clean the bloody chimneys, you scoundrel. And you can get out of this Castle. Go on, get out.

      I looked at Robbie, and he looked at me, then we both yelled out,

      We are going to be soldiers!

      "You both had better go and tell your parents that you are joining the Kings army. You will of course require their approval, but, if they can let you both clean chimneys for that rascal Mcadam, then I think the two of you would be better off in the army. Off you two go now. You are both dismissed.

      We both saluted the Colonel then left, leaving all the officers chuckling. That’s when we first heard the Colonel say,

      Remember, laddies, FOR KING AND COUNTRY, KING GEORGE AND COUNTRY.

      We left Edinburgh castle and went marching down the Royal Mile with our chests out and with our chimney brushes over our shoulders feeling as proud as punch, down through the Canongate we went and up through our close.

      When we got there was a roar ;

      Whaur di yae twa think yis ur gon at this time o day?

      You tell Ma, Robbie, naw you tell her Udney, you’re the oldest.

      Well Ma, we have joined the army, I spluttered, we are to be enlisted into the army Ma.

      Are you jesting me, Udney, cause you twa are too young to be in the army?

      I started explaining the story, telling her about the Colonel, big Tam, and the big kiltie soldier and all that.

      Oh my God! she screamed, wait till your faither gets hame, oh my God!

      As soon as our father came in, she screamed again,

      Some high heed yin up at the Castle has enlisted these twa into the army, Jock. Whit are you going to do about it?

      Our father was known to like a dram of whisky or two or more, so he had had a few that day and was quite calm.

      Well, Margaret, he said, (that was her Sunday name as we called it, any other day it was Maggie, but as this was not Sunday it was obvious he was buttering her up).

      I know they are a bit young for the army, but, they will soon be men. Robbie and Udney will get fed and clothed. Aye, all be it in a uniform but they will have a better life than we can give them here. Look at them blackened with soot, ragged and thin, and, you know, they will just be up at Edinburgh Castle.

      Ma erupted in a flood off tears, and screaming, My two bits of bairns in the army! you could have heard her up at the Castle! Whit about wee Charlie? she asked. you have not let him join up too?

      No, Ma he will join later. He wants to be a piper soldier.

      Over my dead body! she yelled.

      Our mother had a good greet and our father disappeared back to the inn for another dram of whisky. The next day Robbie and I went up to the castle and were enlisted into King George the Thirds army as boy soldiers.

      Left, right, left, right! Sergeant Bell shouted instructions as we marched back to the Castle after our training exercise at the Kings Field. When we reached the Castle Esplanade we were met by the sound of bagpipes. Hundreds of soldiers were marching to the pipes and drums, the same scene I had viewed as a boy cleaning chimneys. The soldiers looked splendid in the kilts, with different tartans for each Scottish regiment. Colonel Gray led us on his sleek black horse, he too looking splendid in his uniform, his bright red tunic with gold epaulettes on the shoulders, white breeches and black leather riding boots. On his head he wore a bearskin hat with tartan braid around it, and from two cross belts hung his sabre.

      The troops parted in formation allowing us to march on up into the Castle.

      What did you think of that Robbie? I asked.

      It made the hairs on my neck stand up, Udney. he said, then humming the tune,

      ‘Wi’ a hundred pipers an aw an aw Weel up and gie them a blaw a blaw

      Wi’ a hundred pipers an aw an aw weel up and gie them a blaw an aw.’

      We marched up into the Castle until we reached the square, where Sergeant Major Bell roared, Compaa—NY, Halt!; then, Stand at ease, men. Colonel Gray will address the company.

      The Colonel cleared his throat with a cough and began. "You soldiers have as you know, been training to fight the French and their allies who we have been at war with since a revolution in France saw the execution of their Monarch King Louis.

      After the peace Treaty of Amiens was signed by the French and British, we have had peace for more than year, however, things have changed since then. The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte has embarked on a journey of world conquest. Prime Minister Mr Pitt has warned parliament that Bonaparte is once again a threat to this country and is preparing to invade Great Britain.

      His Majesty King George the Third, having been informed of the situation has now instructed the Prime Minister to strengthen the forces of the army and navy. Therefore, gentlemen, we are at war again with France!"

      The Colonel went on to say, The troops you have seen gathered here today are going to the south of England. In the event of an invasion from France, our company will be held here, for now, to defend the coast of Scotland. He finished up saying, You have all done well in training so we are giving you all a short leave to visit your families and loved ones. Sergeant Major Bell then instructed us that we must report back to the Castle in twenty four hours.

      And I mean twenty four hours! said the Sergeant, we are at war now, so anyone absent after that will be charged with desertion and could be shot! Comp—any dismissed!

      A yell went out from the whole company. Everyone was relieved now, knowing what was about to happen.

      "Right, lads, who’s for a drink to celebrate? suggested Robbie,

      Aye, was the majority reply.

      Hold on, Robbie I said, we best see Ma and Da first and tell them the country is at war."

      Aye, sure, Udney. See you all in the Laird and Dog tonight then, lads he cried.

      As we left and made our way down to the Esplanade the bagpipes and drums started up again, the soldiers there on the command, Quick march,, marched off the Esplanade, down the Royal Mile. Crowds cheered them all the way to the Port of Leith.

      You can’t help thinking, Robbie, that some of them might never see their homeland again.

      "Well, Udney, it will be our turn soon enough—so lets make he best of our leave. With the sound of the pipes and drums fading in the distance we made our way down to the Canongate to see our folks, receiving lots of backslaps as we went.

      Everyone was in a state of great euphoria after hearing the news that we were at war with France. Why was everybody happy? I do not see war as a happy event.

      We reached the close where we found Ma hanging washing out.

      Heard the news, Ma? Robbie asked.

      Aye, an’ whit ur yae twa gon tae dae?

      We are to defend Scotland Ma, in case that `Napoleon` tries to invade us.

      Aw aye, weel am seek o’ a’ wars an’ a’ thing. I lost twa uncles at Culloden, an am feart fur ye twa.

      Never mind, Ma we are not going anywhere except down to the Laird and Dog tonight, said Robbie.

      Awa’ wi ye, ye cheeky wee tyke I’ll gie ye a skelp oan yer lug the noo.

      Where’s our Da, Ma? Robbie asked.

      If ye dinna ken that, weel ye’l fund out the nicht when your doon at the Laird and Dug, Ma answered with her razor sharp tongue.

      The next morning when we awoke Robbie moaned, Aw ma head! that was some night, Udney. Did we drink some ale?

      Aye, Robbie, my head will vouch for it, I wonder where we will go with the army, and do you think Napoleon will invade Scotland? You never know, Robbie. Anyway we best get back up to the Castle you know what Sergeant Bell said about being late,

      Yes, Udney, it’s bad enough with the sore head but what would it be like if we were shot for being late back.?

      Ha ha, very funny Robbie! Right lets tell Ma we are away, no good wakening Da he will be sleeping off the whisky. That’s us Ma, we are away back up to the Castle.

      Aye, a’right lads, noo keep me and yer Da telt aboot whar yies are. said Ma, with a tear in her eye. We gave her a cuddle and said cheerio.

      As we marched proudly up the High Street with our chests sticking out, people came up to us, wishing us luck. Spotting Big Tam Macadam the chimney sweep Robbie shouted after him,

      Awa’ ye big chancer Tam! You still cleaning the chimneys?

      Aye, said big Tam.

      You should join the army Tam, said Robbie, you could be in the Black Watch!

      Aye, lads, very funny, said Tam, anyway, lads, I wish you two all the best. Then added, You two look after one another, good luck!

      When we arrived back at the Castle we were met by Sergeant Bell.

      Have a good night then lads?

      Yes, Sergeant, a great night, we have two heads to prove it.

      Well we have some more news for our company, so if you two go up to the Castle Square, Colonel Gray will be announcing it when everyone is back.

      When the rest of the company returned we assembled on the square to hear what he had to say.

      Well laddies, I hope you are all refreshed after your short leave, now I told you all before that our company was being held in Scotland In the event of a French invasion, Well there has been a change in orders, and we are now needed in the south of England. I can tell you no more than that for security reasons, but as you probably observed, the rest of the battalion left yesterday, we leave tomorrow, we will embark at the port of Leith in the morning.

      The Colonel then ordered Sergeant Bell to instruct the men on their requirements for the journey.

      Right, you lot said C.S.M Bell, listen carefully. You will draw what you need from the Quartermaster’s stores—one, your bedroll,—two, food and a canteen for water,—and last but not least your ammunition. You will keep your rifles and your bayonets cleaned and serviced at all times. I want no accidents on this voyage. Do I make myself clear?

      A loud reply was, Yes, Sergeant!

      Good! You will not be allowed out of the Castle now for security reasons, so I hope you have said your goodbyes, I would advise you all to get a good night’s sleep tonight. We will be up at the crack of dawn.

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