Post by PeterF on Jan 3, 2014 9:13:51 GMT
Character Name:
Peter Foster
Allegiance:
Commonwealth
Requested Rank:
Warrant Officer Class 2
History:
Catherine Hill Bay
The village is named after the schooner "Catherine Hill" which ran aground there on 21st June 1867.
Located on the southern peninsula forming Lake Macquarie, 7km south of the Pacific Ocean entrance channel and 126km North of Sydney. Access is via a sealed beach road off the Sydney - Newcastle railway. Despite the beauty of the bay and its attractive situation in a valley surrounded by high hills and bushland, the presence of the rusty iron and lifeless machinery inevitably gives the Bay a very gloomy feel.
1921
On August 17th, of 1921, Peter Foster was born to Sherry and Bruce Foster with two older brothers, Ned (5), Copper (13) and an older sister, Philippa (3) in Catherine Hill Bay.
1926
January 26th was the day Peter first attended public school. His father, Bruce Foster, was unable to see him off, having to work in the mines. Yet his older sister Philippa, older brother Ned and mother Sherry all saw him off with big smiles, long hugs and many words of encouragement. He had been nervous, but excited.
1929
'The Great Depression hits Australia!' the newspaper headline read this year.
'Mother lost her job' he said with some sadness. He was young, not quite fully understanding what was happening, but he knew enough.
'Yeah, so did mine . . ' Billy said in answer, kicking at a stone. Peter stood with his best friend at First Lookout, the wind picking up a chill cold, causing him to shiver. The sun had just set, but it would not be dark for another few minutes. 'I should go, Father doesn't like me out after sunset' Peter spoke, waving his friend goodbye.
'See you at school tomorrow Pete!' Billy chimed, jogging down the road, opposite to Peter.
The way home was long and winding. 'Whoever made these roads weren't very smart' he thought, twisting his neck to look over his shoulder. The road was far from a perfect line, curving it's way over and down several small hills. Placing his foot home on his verandah, the wood creaked loudly. He could see through the shoddy window that his mother was crying in her room, again. He opened the door to find the house in disarray, Philippa and Ned were crying in a corner with large welts to their cheeks. Copper was barely standing, his face looked as though a train had hit him. His nose was broken and bleeding, his eyes were already swollen purple and closed. Opposite to them was Father, a bottle in one hand, and a clenched fist in the other.
Peter never quite could recall what happened next that evening, but he had woken up just as Copper had, and Billy didn't see him for two weeks.
1931
'Did you hear mate?'
'Hear what, sir?'
'Sir Mawson hiked the Antarctic coastline, some 4,000 kilometers, claimed almost half of it in Australia's name! Bloody good lad he is, one day you might be like him'
'Yeah, maybe one day' he thought, annoyed. He was far from some adventurer out exploring the unknown. He was just a young boy, following the milkmans horse-drawn cart and shoveling the horse droppings for a few meager coins.
'So how's your mother going?' Mr. Tompson asked, knowing full well that Peters Dad had become an abusive alcoholic the same year the Great Depression hit, and became worse the moment Sherry lost her job, and had yet to get another since.
'She's well sir, she is hopeful in getting a job at the pub up the road'
'Good luck to her! That place is busy as ever, and everyone is looking to work there. I'll see if I can put in a good word to the owner though, aye boy?'
'Aye sir, that'd be real appreciated'
'We're almost at the end of the line, you best scoot along now'
'Yes, sir, see you tomorrow' Peter gritted, the stench of the horses feces was almost enough to knock him out. He shoveledthe last of it into the large bag and hauled it over his shoulder for the long walk home. He would sell this at a nearby farm come nightfall, to help the family with money. But he knew, every coin he earned, was no doubt going to be spent on more violent alcohol-induced tantrums from Father.
1932
'Sydney Harbour Bridge Opening! Francis de Groot upstages Premier Jack Lang' the headline read on March 19th. Billy explained to him that Francis de Groot was a WWI veteran, and during the opening of the bridge, he had rode forth on his horse, unsheathing a ceremonial sword and cutting the ribbon before Premier Jack Lang could. In days to come, he would be branded as insane and sent to an asylum before two university professors examined Francis and declared he was indeed sane.
He sat in a square with Philippa, Billy and Ned, scissors in hand as they cut away old newspapers. Unable to pay for basic commodities, they cut up old newspapers to use as toilet paper. Every few days, they would collect a vast amount of newspapers from those that no longer needed theirs, sat down and cut out pieces. It wasn't exactly volunteer work, it was their fathers idea, Billy merely joined in to help Peter. 'Oh, look at this headline Peter' Philippa exclaimed, showing him her piece of paper, it read 'The Labor government falls and Joseph Lyons becomes Prime Minister'
'I wonder why we didn't hear about that in school?' Peter pondered, scratching his chin, not because he felt an itch, but curiosity.
'We did, last week, but you were too busy drawing' Billy butted in 'Anyway, what did you get for Christmas?'. Philippa and Ned looked to one another with a slight smirk on their lips. They hadn't received much, and were quite upset at the time, but now thinking back on it, it was quite funny, although sad. 'We just got an orange in a sock'
'Are you kidding?'
'No' Peter frowned.
1938
'Ugh, we're going to be stuck here for the rest of our lives!' Billy shouted into the night, rattling his fists in the air in mock anger.
'Oh, calm down, you'll get another chance with Juliet. She'll be back next week when her father comes to work at the pub. Plus, Mother will be there so I have an excuse to be there, and my excuse is your excuse. So long as you can get me close with that french girl, whats her name?' he clicks his finger, biting his tongue.
'Marguerite?'
'That's the one!'
'Oooh, Pete, best watch out. I hear she has a bit of a temper'
'Ah well, I can handle it' he said, instantly recalling his father. Whom since had been in the jailhouse for two years now.
'Oh well, you're the one putting your hand in front of the snake' Bill shrugged 'I'll get you the french girl, and you get me close to Juliet, deal?'
'Deal' he said, taking Billy's hand and shaking it firmly.
A month went by, Copper had come home from the mines to see in the darkness of night, four figures emerge from the beach late in the evening. The beach was notorious among the youth, a way to get under a ladies dress. He knew because he himself had taken plenty of women down there some years back, along with his Highschool mates. Arriving home, Peter was late by 30 minutes, with the smell of sea salt on him, and a bead of sweat dripping from his brow. Copper just laughed, to which Peter repeatedly said 'What!?', Copper never told him he knew. It was funnier to keep it to himself.
1939
September 3rd, the whole family gathered around the radio at the pub. Copper, Philippa, Ned, Peter, Sherry, and even Billy and his family had shown up. Heck, the whole town did. They hovered over the machine, the place was dead silent. Then, the transmission began.
'Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement.'
-Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies
The room remained silent.
New Years Eve was full of celebrations, and for the very first time in his life, Peter and Billy were in the Big City. The crown jewel of Australia; Sydney. The two boys had their arms around the waists of their girls; Juliet and Marguerite. They bobbed their way down the street, singing and dancing as they went. Intoxicated by a little too much drinking. The 'dynamic duo' wore matching sleek new suits, while their women wore matching pink knee-length dresses. A bit revealing, but the boys loved it.
The city was dense with party-goers, all making their way to the Sydney Harbor Bridge where they would watch this years fireworks. Everyone told them 'You have to go see them! If you don't see them, you've wasted your life!' and they were right. The show was both awe-inspiring and dazzling.
They stopped by a harbour-side bar with the radio cranking the very popular song 'In the Modd - Glen Miller'. Throughout the night they got roaring drunk. Come early morning, Billy had overhead an argument across the room. He didn't know what, but he knew Marguerite had started it, she always did. He didn't know why Peter stayed with her, he hated her, but his friendship was too strong to say anything to upset him. So he smiled when she was around and pretended their fights weren't as constant as they actually were. He craned his head, peering over the crowd to see the french girl deliver a shocking slap to Peter, who stood with a stone stillness, shocked. A wave of whispers encompassed the crowd, all of them discussing what everyone just witness. Peters girlfriend fled the bar, as angry as a bull seeing a red cape. Peter slunk into a chair, embarrassed. 'Hold here darling' Billy said, smiling and tapping on Juliets shoulder, who was engulfed in a conversation with a woman from Brisbane. He made his way through the crowd to find his childhood best friend accompanied by a group of young men, shouting him drinks.
1940
'Nazi's occupy France!' the headline read.
Peter, Billy, Ned and Copper were all gangpressed. They were being sent to war. Accompanied by two rifle-wielding soldiers, they boarded the train with fifteen other lads from Catherine Hill Bay. Juliet was clutching on Billys mother, trying to calm her tears, at the same time, holding back the tidal wave that was her own sorrow. Sherry and Philippa stood together, strong from years of hardship. Sherry waved her boys farewell, and Philippa nodded, not wanting to move much lest her facade of a strong will crumble. As the train's horn let loose, and they were set on their way, that facade broke down, and she too cried alongside Juliet, Billys mother and Marguerite.
'The Big City, so we meet once again' Billy squinted his eyes out the window, as if some goofy hero challenging an enemy.
'Can you please shut up' Copper moaned, sick of the childish jokes and antics that followed Billy. He wasn't the only one sick of it, everyone on the train was, except for Peter. He found it comforting. They weren't too sure about where they were going to be stationed, but there were huge fears the Japanese would soon invade.
A week later, they were thankfully on the same ship, but for Ned who was taken into the Royal Air Force. Peter, Billy and Copper were to be sent to Northern Africa to train. It was there they would partake in a ninety-day training regime. After which, they would be sent to war.
To the dismay of both Billy and Copper, they were to be separated. Billy and Copper being unrelated, would be sent to fight in the Greek Campaign, whilst Peter was going north to Britain, to await further orders. Yet, the worst had yet to be heard. Arriving in Britain, he received by express mail two letters, one from the military, another from Marguerite. He read Marguerite's first, thinking this would be happy news.
'Dear Peter,
I write to inform you we can no longer be together. I have found someone else, someone who can love me better than you could. I am to be wed, as I am also with his child. I wish you all the luck in the war.
-Marguerite'
Short, to the point, and a dagger to his heart. He was devastated. He was sick to his stomach. His hands wiping away tears, he shakily ripped open the other envelope, hoping to distract his mind from the horrible letter.
'Dear Peter Foster,
We regret to inform you, your brother Copper Foster, your mother Sherry Foster, and sister Philippa Foster, that on November 12th, the aircraft Ned Foster was in, had been shot down during an air raid. His body was unable to be recovered. He is assumed as Killed In Action. A ceremony will be held in Gaza to honor those lost. He has not only made Australia proud with his service, but those of his friends in service. It is our greatest regret we inform you of his passing.
-Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey'
He threw a punch to the brick wall, almost breaking his knuckles. His skin split and blood oozed out. He was furious, he was crushed. The government had forced them into this war, and now he has lost his brother. How long would it be until his other brother would be killed? or even Billy. He was alone, in a land far away from home, in a war he did not want to fight. In months to follow, he would stick his chin up, resolve to an iron will, and work hard. There was nothing else he could do, his only hope was to make a slight difference in this war, and spare suffering that which he has faced. And mayhaps, end the war a day sooner than it would without him. You never know, it could very well save Coppers life one day, maybe. 'A man can dream' he was known to say there-after.
Writing Sample:
Peter sat with Hugh, Russell, Heath and Eric, all Australians, in an English pub. A song came over the radio 'Sing sing sing - Benny Goodman' and all the boys stood up to dance with the fine ladies. Sure, they all agreed by swearing and exclaiming 'They have annoying accents!' but they still had a decent appearance, and confirmed, not as gold as the ladies back home. Peter stood up with Eric, taking the lead by snatching the hand of a young woman, no older than eighteen, and stood her up. He rose his hand high and spun her around. 'Woot wooh!' Heath dog whistled to her, raising his eyebrows. She was of brunette hair and dark brown eyes, with tan skin. A short girl by any standards, at 5ft 1" compared to Peters 5ft 7", and Hughs 6ft 2".
Throughout the night they danced. Hugh found himself an equally tall and imposing girl, a shepards daughter. Russell had taken Erics girl which left him dancing alone with a bit of a growl. While in the corner, Heath had his hand to the wall beside the girls neck, leaning in close and whispering sweet nothings, producing giggles and 'Oh really?'s. Peter found himself getting closer and closer to this city-girl named Loria. As the song ended, their dancing turned from that to kissing, pressing himself against her. And to the roaring cheer of the crowd. She pulled away at this, embarrassed at the outburst of public affection, something taboo in the world.
'Let's say we go upstairs hey?' Pete asked
'No, I need to-'
'Oh come on, darl'
'I said no, Peter, I have to go home' she pulled away from him, heading for the doorway where her two friends awaited her. He lurched forward, tightly gripping her arm. She spun around, delivering a loud and audible slap to his cheek 'Don't touch me!'. The once cheery room turned dark and silent, and Peters mood drew in on itself, from an over-excited drunk, to a reminiscing depressed alcoholic. It was true, he had been drinking quite a lot more recently, but he wasn't really a drunk, was he?
'Hey Pete, what the **** was that about mate?' Hugh asked, clearly angered.
'I-' he paused, frowning, unsure of himself 'I don't know'. His thoughts went back to when he was last slapped like that, on New Years Eve. Marguerite had been arguing about something stupid, how Peter wasn't paying enough attention to her. She demanded it every waking hour, he barely had time to talk to Billy lest he face the wrath of that particular French woman.
'Look, head back to the barracks, get some rest. Stay off the beer for a bit' Heath said, now no longer talking to the woman, who had since left him after the sudden commotion.
'Aye, will do. . thanks mate'
'We'll see you tomorrow morning, and you can tell us what's troublin' yah' Eric butted in.
With that, Peter retrieved his grey coat and headed for the doorway, out into the dark streets of London.
Peter Foster
Allegiance:
Commonwealth
Requested Rank:
Warrant Officer Class 2
History:
Catherine Hill Bay
The village is named after the schooner "Catherine Hill" which ran aground there on 21st June 1867.
Located on the southern peninsula forming Lake Macquarie, 7km south of the Pacific Ocean entrance channel and 126km North of Sydney. Access is via a sealed beach road off the Sydney - Newcastle railway. Despite the beauty of the bay and its attractive situation in a valley surrounded by high hills and bushland, the presence of the rusty iron and lifeless machinery inevitably gives the Bay a very gloomy feel.
1921
On August 17th, of 1921, Peter Foster was born to Sherry and Bruce Foster with two older brothers, Ned (5), Copper (13) and an older sister, Philippa (3) in Catherine Hill Bay.
1926
January 26th was the day Peter first attended public school. His father, Bruce Foster, was unable to see him off, having to work in the mines. Yet his older sister Philippa, older brother Ned and mother Sherry all saw him off with big smiles, long hugs and many words of encouragement. He had been nervous, but excited.
1929
'The Great Depression hits Australia!' the newspaper headline read this year.
'Mother lost her job' he said with some sadness. He was young, not quite fully understanding what was happening, but he knew enough.
'Yeah, so did mine . . ' Billy said in answer, kicking at a stone. Peter stood with his best friend at First Lookout, the wind picking up a chill cold, causing him to shiver. The sun had just set, but it would not be dark for another few minutes. 'I should go, Father doesn't like me out after sunset' Peter spoke, waving his friend goodbye.
'See you at school tomorrow Pete!' Billy chimed, jogging down the road, opposite to Peter.
The way home was long and winding. 'Whoever made these roads weren't very smart' he thought, twisting his neck to look over his shoulder. The road was far from a perfect line, curving it's way over and down several small hills. Placing his foot home on his verandah, the wood creaked loudly. He could see through the shoddy window that his mother was crying in her room, again. He opened the door to find the house in disarray, Philippa and Ned were crying in a corner with large welts to their cheeks. Copper was barely standing, his face looked as though a train had hit him. His nose was broken and bleeding, his eyes were already swollen purple and closed. Opposite to them was Father, a bottle in one hand, and a clenched fist in the other.
Peter never quite could recall what happened next that evening, but he had woken up just as Copper had, and Billy didn't see him for two weeks.
1931
'Did you hear mate?'
'Hear what, sir?'
'Sir Mawson hiked the Antarctic coastline, some 4,000 kilometers, claimed almost half of it in Australia's name! Bloody good lad he is, one day you might be like him'
'Yeah, maybe one day' he thought, annoyed. He was far from some adventurer out exploring the unknown. He was just a young boy, following the milkmans horse-drawn cart and shoveling the horse droppings for a few meager coins.
'So how's your mother going?' Mr. Tompson asked, knowing full well that Peters Dad had become an abusive alcoholic the same year the Great Depression hit, and became worse the moment Sherry lost her job, and had yet to get another since.
'She's well sir, she is hopeful in getting a job at the pub up the road'
'Good luck to her! That place is busy as ever, and everyone is looking to work there. I'll see if I can put in a good word to the owner though, aye boy?'
'Aye sir, that'd be real appreciated'
'We're almost at the end of the line, you best scoot along now'
'Yes, sir, see you tomorrow' Peter gritted, the stench of the horses feces was almost enough to knock him out. He shoveledthe last of it into the large bag and hauled it over his shoulder for the long walk home. He would sell this at a nearby farm come nightfall, to help the family with money. But he knew, every coin he earned, was no doubt going to be spent on more violent alcohol-induced tantrums from Father.
1932
'Sydney Harbour Bridge Opening! Francis de Groot upstages Premier Jack Lang' the headline read on March 19th. Billy explained to him that Francis de Groot was a WWI veteran, and during the opening of the bridge, he had rode forth on his horse, unsheathing a ceremonial sword and cutting the ribbon before Premier Jack Lang could. In days to come, he would be branded as insane and sent to an asylum before two university professors examined Francis and declared he was indeed sane.
He sat in a square with Philippa, Billy and Ned, scissors in hand as they cut away old newspapers. Unable to pay for basic commodities, they cut up old newspapers to use as toilet paper. Every few days, they would collect a vast amount of newspapers from those that no longer needed theirs, sat down and cut out pieces. It wasn't exactly volunteer work, it was their fathers idea, Billy merely joined in to help Peter. 'Oh, look at this headline Peter' Philippa exclaimed, showing him her piece of paper, it read 'The Labor government falls and Joseph Lyons becomes Prime Minister'
'I wonder why we didn't hear about that in school?' Peter pondered, scratching his chin, not because he felt an itch, but curiosity.
'We did, last week, but you were too busy drawing' Billy butted in 'Anyway, what did you get for Christmas?'. Philippa and Ned looked to one another with a slight smirk on their lips. They hadn't received much, and were quite upset at the time, but now thinking back on it, it was quite funny, although sad. 'We just got an orange in a sock'
'Are you kidding?'
'No' Peter frowned.
1938
'Ugh, we're going to be stuck here for the rest of our lives!' Billy shouted into the night, rattling his fists in the air in mock anger.
'Oh, calm down, you'll get another chance with Juliet. She'll be back next week when her father comes to work at the pub. Plus, Mother will be there so I have an excuse to be there, and my excuse is your excuse. So long as you can get me close with that french girl, whats her name?' he clicks his finger, biting his tongue.
'Marguerite?'
'That's the one!'
'Oooh, Pete, best watch out. I hear she has a bit of a temper'
'Ah well, I can handle it' he said, instantly recalling his father. Whom since had been in the jailhouse for two years now.
'Oh well, you're the one putting your hand in front of the snake' Bill shrugged 'I'll get you the french girl, and you get me close to Juliet, deal?'
'Deal' he said, taking Billy's hand and shaking it firmly.
A month went by, Copper had come home from the mines to see in the darkness of night, four figures emerge from the beach late in the evening. The beach was notorious among the youth, a way to get under a ladies dress. He knew because he himself had taken plenty of women down there some years back, along with his Highschool mates. Arriving home, Peter was late by 30 minutes, with the smell of sea salt on him, and a bead of sweat dripping from his brow. Copper just laughed, to which Peter repeatedly said 'What!?', Copper never told him he knew. It was funnier to keep it to himself.
1939
September 3rd, the whole family gathered around the radio at the pub. Copper, Philippa, Ned, Peter, Sherry, and even Billy and his family had shown up. Heck, the whole town did. They hovered over the machine, the place was dead silent. Then, the transmission began.
'Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially, that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement.'
-Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies
The room remained silent.
New Years Eve was full of celebrations, and for the very first time in his life, Peter and Billy were in the Big City. The crown jewel of Australia; Sydney. The two boys had their arms around the waists of their girls; Juliet and Marguerite. They bobbed their way down the street, singing and dancing as they went. Intoxicated by a little too much drinking. The 'dynamic duo' wore matching sleek new suits, while their women wore matching pink knee-length dresses. A bit revealing, but the boys loved it.
The city was dense with party-goers, all making their way to the Sydney Harbor Bridge where they would watch this years fireworks. Everyone told them 'You have to go see them! If you don't see them, you've wasted your life!' and they were right. The show was both awe-inspiring and dazzling.
They stopped by a harbour-side bar with the radio cranking the very popular song 'In the Modd - Glen Miller'. Throughout the night they got roaring drunk. Come early morning, Billy had overhead an argument across the room. He didn't know what, but he knew Marguerite had started it, she always did. He didn't know why Peter stayed with her, he hated her, but his friendship was too strong to say anything to upset him. So he smiled when she was around and pretended their fights weren't as constant as they actually were. He craned his head, peering over the crowd to see the french girl deliver a shocking slap to Peter, who stood with a stone stillness, shocked. A wave of whispers encompassed the crowd, all of them discussing what everyone just witness. Peters girlfriend fled the bar, as angry as a bull seeing a red cape. Peter slunk into a chair, embarrassed. 'Hold here darling' Billy said, smiling and tapping on Juliets shoulder, who was engulfed in a conversation with a woman from Brisbane. He made his way through the crowd to find his childhood best friend accompanied by a group of young men, shouting him drinks.
1940
'Nazi's occupy France!' the headline read.
Peter, Billy, Ned and Copper were all gangpressed. They were being sent to war. Accompanied by two rifle-wielding soldiers, they boarded the train with fifteen other lads from Catherine Hill Bay. Juliet was clutching on Billys mother, trying to calm her tears, at the same time, holding back the tidal wave that was her own sorrow. Sherry and Philippa stood together, strong from years of hardship. Sherry waved her boys farewell, and Philippa nodded, not wanting to move much lest her facade of a strong will crumble. As the train's horn let loose, and they were set on their way, that facade broke down, and she too cried alongside Juliet, Billys mother and Marguerite.
'The Big City, so we meet once again' Billy squinted his eyes out the window, as if some goofy hero challenging an enemy.
'Can you please shut up' Copper moaned, sick of the childish jokes and antics that followed Billy. He wasn't the only one sick of it, everyone on the train was, except for Peter. He found it comforting. They weren't too sure about where they were going to be stationed, but there were huge fears the Japanese would soon invade.
A week later, they were thankfully on the same ship, but for Ned who was taken into the Royal Air Force. Peter, Billy and Copper were to be sent to Northern Africa to train. It was there they would partake in a ninety-day training regime. After which, they would be sent to war.
To the dismay of both Billy and Copper, they were to be separated. Billy and Copper being unrelated, would be sent to fight in the Greek Campaign, whilst Peter was going north to Britain, to await further orders. Yet, the worst had yet to be heard. Arriving in Britain, he received by express mail two letters, one from the military, another from Marguerite. He read Marguerite's first, thinking this would be happy news.
'Dear Peter,
I write to inform you we can no longer be together. I have found someone else, someone who can love me better than you could. I am to be wed, as I am also with his child. I wish you all the luck in the war.
-Marguerite'
Short, to the point, and a dagger to his heart. He was devastated. He was sick to his stomach. His hands wiping away tears, he shakily ripped open the other envelope, hoping to distract his mind from the horrible letter.
'Dear Peter Foster,
We regret to inform you, your brother Copper Foster, your mother Sherry Foster, and sister Philippa Foster, that on November 12th, the aircraft Ned Foster was in, had been shot down during an air raid. His body was unable to be recovered. He is assumed as Killed In Action. A ceremony will be held in Gaza to honor those lost. He has not only made Australia proud with his service, but those of his friends in service. It is our greatest regret we inform you of his passing.
-Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey'
He threw a punch to the brick wall, almost breaking his knuckles. His skin split and blood oozed out. He was furious, he was crushed. The government had forced them into this war, and now he has lost his brother. How long would it be until his other brother would be killed? or even Billy. He was alone, in a land far away from home, in a war he did not want to fight. In months to follow, he would stick his chin up, resolve to an iron will, and work hard. There was nothing else he could do, his only hope was to make a slight difference in this war, and spare suffering that which he has faced. And mayhaps, end the war a day sooner than it would without him. You never know, it could very well save Coppers life one day, maybe. 'A man can dream' he was known to say there-after.
Writing Sample:
Peter sat with Hugh, Russell, Heath and Eric, all Australians, in an English pub. A song came over the radio 'Sing sing sing - Benny Goodman' and all the boys stood up to dance with the fine ladies. Sure, they all agreed by swearing and exclaiming 'They have annoying accents!' but they still had a decent appearance, and confirmed, not as gold as the ladies back home. Peter stood up with Eric, taking the lead by snatching the hand of a young woman, no older than eighteen, and stood her up. He rose his hand high and spun her around. 'Woot wooh!' Heath dog whistled to her, raising his eyebrows. She was of brunette hair and dark brown eyes, with tan skin. A short girl by any standards, at 5ft 1" compared to Peters 5ft 7", and Hughs 6ft 2".
Throughout the night they danced. Hugh found himself an equally tall and imposing girl, a shepards daughter. Russell had taken Erics girl which left him dancing alone with a bit of a growl. While in the corner, Heath had his hand to the wall beside the girls neck, leaning in close and whispering sweet nothings, producing giggles and 'Oh really?'s. Peter found himself getting closer and closer to this city-girl named Loria. As the song ended, their dancing turned from that to kissing, pressing himself against her. And to the roaring cheer of the crowd. She pulled away at this, embarrassed at the outburst of public affection, something taboo in the world.
'Let's say we go upstairs hey?' Pete asked
'No, I need to-'
'Oh come on, darl'
'I said no, Peter, I have to go home' she pulled away from him, heading for the doorway where her two friends awaited her. He lurched forward, tightly gripping her arm. She spun around, delivering a loud and audible slap to his cheek 'Don't touch me!'. The once cheery room turned dark and silent, and Peters mood drew in on itself, from an over-excited drunk, to a reminiscing depressed alcoholic. It was true, he had been drinking quite a lot more recently, but he wasn't really a drunk, was he?
'Hey Pete, what the **** was that about mate?' Hugh asked, clearly angered.
'I-' he paused, frowning, unsure of himself 'I don't know'. His thoughts went back to when he was last slapped like that, on New Years Eve. Marguerite had been arguing about something stupid, how Peter wasn't paying enough attention to her. She demanded it every waking hour, he barely had time to talk to Billy lest he face the wrath of that particular French woman.
'Look, head back to the barracks, get some rest. Stay off the beer for a bit' Heath said, now no longer talking to the woman, who had since left him after the sudden commotion.
'Aye, will do. . thanks mate'
'We'll see you tomorrow morning, and you can tell us what's troublin' yah' Eric butted in.
With that, Peter retrieved his grey coat and headed for the doorway, out into the dark streets of London.
