Free Forever the Colours by Richard Thomas Page A

always knew I was.’
    â€˜I already told you I could feel pain,’ complained Tommy.
    â€˜Yes, yes, I was testing your theory, so please don’t ruin my moment of triumph.’
    Just at that moment, the tent flap parted and the Surgeon Major walked in, followed by another, rather large officer, by the look of him, or so Tommy thought.
    â€˜You, young man, are supposed to be resting that head of yours. Now swing those legs back up and lie down, or I will tell the Sergeant Major here that you are fit for duty. I’m sure he could find you plenty of jobs to do.’
    â€˜Yes sir, sorry sir,’ replied Tommy, and he swung his legs back up onto the bed.
    Tommy looked at the Sergeant Major and found him staring back, looking from underneath the bushiest eyebrows he’d ever seen. This was a big man, at least six-foot-five or six, broad in the chest and shoulder, and standing ramrod straight. He had a large moustache and beard as well, though they were well groomed. In fact, he looked quite magnificent. He was wearing an off-white uniform, all shiny brass buttons and a pith helmet. He gave off an air of absolute confidence, and Tommy felt slightly intimidated.
    â€˜Now then, Sergeant Major, you wished to see Corporal Armour. You will find him in that bed over there,’ the Surgeon Major said, pointing to the third occupant of the tent. Then he went and sat at his desk.
    The man in the other bed had suddenly lost the colour in his face and he was visibly shaking. The Sergeant Major walked over to the foot of the bed and looked down. This guy is brilliant , Tommy thought. He seriously looks the part, and even comes with one of those cane thingies .
    â€˜Now then, Armour, would you like to explain to me why you are not back with your chums and performing your duties like a good soldier? Because the Surgeon Major here has told me your wounds have healed and you are fit for duty.’ He paused his slow, sonorous voice for obvious effect. ‘Now, for some strange reason you, have told the Surgeon Major that you are not fit for duty, that you have not fully recovered from your wounds and you are refusing to leave the Surgeon Major’s tent, a tent for genuinely injured soldiers.’ He took an enormous inhalation through his nose while looking above at the roof. ‘Now then, sonny, if I were to think that what you were in fact experiencing was not sickness but, say, cowardice, for instance, well, I would have to report it to the General. And I would presume that he would make an example of you to the rest of the regiment. The Cat hasn’t seen the sunshine in many a year.’ He gave Armour a piercing stare. ‘So I will ask you, Corporal Armour, are you or are you not fit and ready for duty?’
    The man Armour jumped out of bed and stood at attention, and barked, ‘Corporal Armour ready and fit fer duty, Sergeant Major Cuppage.’
    The big Sergeant Major nodded like a proud father. ‘Well done, lad. Now you have a little time to get your things together, and then report to Sergeant Rollings’s Company.’
    â€˜Yes Sar’nt Major Cuppage,’ Armour nearly shouted.
    The big Sergeant Major turned and started to make his way back to the entrance. But he caught site of Maurice and stopped. ‘Well, I did not see you there, Lieutenant Rayner. You are making a speedy recovery, I hope, sir?’
    â€˜I am, Sergeant Major, thank you. You are well yourself?’
    â€˜I am in excellent health, sir.’
    â€˜Tell me, Sergeant Major, have you met our new arrival?’ he asked, nodding toward Tommy. ‘No? Well, may I introduce Private Thomas Evans, formally of the Fusiliers, newly joined in India and now a man of the 66th. Private Evans, may I introduce Sergeant Major Alexander Cuppage, backbone of the regiment.’
    For a moment Tommy forgot where he was and put out his hand for Cuppage to shake. The Sergeant Major looked at it with indifference