In Mourning [Fusiliers]

[Nicholas Ealing]

OOC: Open to all members of the RWF. Rest in peace Glyndwr and Clements...

The entire tavern was deathly quiet. A gentle breeze whistled outside the dirty window, a bird's song could be heard harmonising. The trees swayed majestically beneath the perfectly tuned sun. Yet there was little to be happy about.

All around the Lieteunant a large group of soldiers stood steel-faced and grim, not daring to cry for fear of rebuke from their companions. A couple had red, swollen eyes and wet cheeks, alone comfortable enough to show their true feelings. No. Comfortable wasn't the right word. They would probably never be comfortable again.

Ethan had recieved a telegram a couple of days earlier, revealing that the staunch Sergeant Lawson had fallen pray to a rogue German bullet. He had been one of the most popular NCO's amongst the men, in the barracks and on the battlefield. But now he was gone and there was nothing he could do about it. The Fusiliers had joined together to pay their last respects for the man who had died for their country. It was also somewhat of a memorial for the other two privates who had died in recent times - Llywelyn Glyndwr and Ethan Clements- both barely out of their teens.

The Lieteunant wondered how Sergeant Bevan was holding up. He had been particularly close to Glyndwr and it was no surprise that he had decided not to turn up. Ethan sighed heavily and raised his glass.

"For the Fusiliers!" he roared, as he felt droplets of tears well up in his eyes. The roar echoed around the pub as the Fusiliers remembered the three brave men who had lost their lives over the Second World War.

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David walked hurriedly into the pub. He took a seat behind the main group and forced himself to stay strong and not to cry. He was determined not to show any weakness.

Llywellyn was his newest recruit at only eighteen years old and had been the most enthusiastic of Davids soldiers and a good friend. His life had been taken away by an Axis coward who had no intention of having an Honorable fight.

David felt huge anger burning inside him. The three dead men had only recently joined RWF and had already been killed. David knew that one day he would have his revenge.

He gave a hand signal to call the barmaid over He whispered to her to get him a pint of beer. The barmaid quickly returned with a pint of beer. Now all he wanted to do was drink to Llywellyn's memory.

[devros1]

Tom entered the pub with privates Derfel Cadarn and David Edwards even though he had been demoted they still respected him as their leader but ever since he got demoted they respected him more and grew into stronger friendship. When

Tom entered through the double doors he expected everything to be loud and noisy as ever but it wasn't everything was deathly quiet. He saw Sargent Bevan and Lieutenant Ethan Day there they were drinking heavily he walked up to them and sat in a stool next to them as he gestured at his privates to sit down.

"Hello" Tom said

[Nicholas Ealing]

Ethan heard a creaking from behind him and turned around to see Sergeant Bevan standing at the doorway, his face practically expressionless. All eyes turned towards the Sergeant. He had come after all.

The Lieteunant joined him in his secluded corner and hung his head down low.

"Come on, David," he said calmly. "Come and have a drink. He wouldn't have wanted you to be like this, would he? Come on,"

An ugly horse-faced barmaid scuttled over and handed David a drink roughly. Ethan could tell he was close to tears. But he had too much dignity to cry. Too much.

Ethan clapped David on the back companionly, before leaving his side to return to the main bulk of the force. He was about to make another toast when three further figures strode in. Ethan sighed. He had hoped Tom wouldn't be joining them but he had been characteristically wrong.

"Hello," beamed the Private, apparently unsure of the nature of the gathering. He hadn't known Clements. Or Glyndwr. Or even Lawson. He had no right to be here; it wasn't as if he was paying his last respects.

"Three men are dead, Tom," sighed Ethan. "Maybe you could show a bit more respect,"

[devros1]

"Sorry sir" Tom said "I didn't realize sir may I speak sir?" Tom replied.

Tom watched the lieutenant he had aged a bit since Tom had seen him last. He began to sing of home. Home Tom thought were the trees grass grew green and birds sang. Haw many years had he been away Tom though it seemed like a decade. Shame Tom though that so many soldiers would never see home again.

He wondered if he would see home again he hoped he would. He also hoped that Derfrel and David would see home again. How he missed Wales land of sword and song. He carried on singing

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David sat in the corner drinking the cold beer Ethan had kindly given him.

David noticed a familiar voice behind him saying "Sorry sir I didn't realize sir may I speak sir.
David then turned to see Edwards was there "Why are you here asked David angrily to the disgraced Private. But the Private seemed to be deep in thought and did not answer.

David then walked over to the main group in the center of the pub where it seemed like there was going to be a toast. So david quickly called the barmaid to refill his pint.

He then noticed that Edwards was now singing loudly David walked over to him and barked "shut up do you have no respect" he said angrily.

David decided he had to calm down so he lifted his pint to his lips and let the freezing refreshing liquid flow down his throat.

[devros1]

Tom couldn't understand what the Sargent had said he was slurring his words he was getting to drunk."I can't understand what you said sir" Tom said he had tears in his yes he was proud Tom thought proud and stubborn.

He liked the Sargent's brother he was a good man but David was twisted with hate. At any moment he looked as if he was about to lash out.

He was becoming a fool Tom though like he had been before he stopped his drinking. The man was a nut case his eyes looking every were at once he looked suicidal.

[Nicholas Ealing]

OOC: Bit of an overreaction, wouldn't you say, Tom? Just don't go shooting anyone this time.

Ethan couldn't believe it. The foolish private was actually singing. All eyes were on Tom, he who had broken the respectful silence over the fallen. David was taking it especially badly, it seemed. He looked set to crack.

Bevan and Edwards had been bitter enemies from the start, their unbridled hatred escalating horrificely when Tom shot his superior in cold blood. Ethan didn't know if Tom was dishonouring Glyndwr's memory to anger David or whether he was just foolish, but whatever the reason David had had enough.

"Shut up!" he bellowed suddenly. "Do you have no respect?"

Ethan turned towards Tom, unsure what his reaction would be. Edwards was well-known for his random outbursts of anger; he could grow extremely violent once provoked.

"I can't understand what you said, sir" answered Tom cooly.

Did he really not understand David's speech or was he genuinely trying to provoke the Sergeant? Ethan would not wait to find out. He had no intention of having to break up a fight in the middle of a memorial.

"Right, you two!" hissed the Lieteunant. "I have had enough of you! Tom, for once in your life, act your age! Can't you think of anyone but yourself? Three brave men are dead. They were our friends. Our family. Our brothers. And you can't even give them the respect to stay quiet while we are grieving? You disgust me, private. I took pity on you back in that prison because you promised you'd changed! But it doesn't look like it, does it? Now, unless you shut up and stop being such an ignorant little fool, I will not be taken responsible for my actions!"

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David was about to give the Private a good beating. He was furious as he moved in to strike a powerfull blow he was interrupted.

When David heared Ethan his anger faded away and noticed the whole room was staring at the Private who had broken the respective silence. David shot one last disgusted look at Tom and headed off towards the crowd of mourning soldiers.

The whole room was just stood there watching Tom and David actually felt a little bit sorry for him having everyone against him. But in Davids eyes one of the worst things a man could do was disrespect the dead.

David then walked silently through the crowd and stood there there beside Ethan. "That guy really pisses me off" whispered David to Ethan so that no one would notice.

[devros1]

Tom heard what the Sargent said but no one in the room could understand what he said because he was slurring his word . He looked at the Lieutenant and said "I have a massage sir we AR to leave at eight o clocks tomorrow morning sir for Africa!". He walked away to his privates and talked to them

[Nicholas Ealing]

Ethan was stunned. He had recieved no message from Head Office about a campaign in Africa. It was most unusual. Ethan reasoned that Tom was probably drunk and was probably about as aware of his surroundings as he was of the inner metabolism of a Peruvian Toad. Ethan was about to contradict Tom's statement but he could see no lie in the private's eyes, no blank look of drunkeness. He was telling the truth.

Ethan's head swam. He knew of course that the German threat was increasing everyday and that his division would be sent off to the frontlines in the near future but...one day? It was ridiciolous. Last he heard, the Americans were down there giving it there all. Trust the Yanks to cock it all up.

Something must have gone wrong in Africa or else they would never have been called up out of the blue. Something wrong. Something terribly wrong.

"Private," said Ethan, tapping him on the back with a slender finger. "You must have some more information than that. What did Head Office say? And why did they tell you? This is confidential information, Edwards. Answer me!"

[cymraeg123]

Rhodri entered the pub to see the Lieutenant who had called the Fusiliers to the pub shouting at Private Tom Edwards who had recently been demoted. He was not quite sure why but it didn't matter. Either way his equal was now his subordinate whatever the reason.

Lieutenant Day was shouting at the drunken Private and asking him about how he got confidential information. Rhodri walked around the argument and walked towards Private Davies who had managed to get there before him.

'What's happened?' he asked the private.

'Well you know that we were all invited here to remember the members of the Fusiliers who died serving their country. They seem to have had too much to drink and Edwards did something to anger the Sergeant and Lieutenant. That's all I know Sir.' The private answered.

'Well seeing as we came here for a drink,' Rhodri said after noticing Davies didn't have a drink, 'Do you want a drink?'

Rhodri ordered the drinks and rejoined the private. He raised his glass and said 'To Privates Clements and Glyndwr!'

Davies raised his glass and said 'To Clements and Glyndwr!'

Then they both raised their glasses to their lips and drank.

[devros1]

Tom staggered thinking the lieutenant was angry and said "We have lost a lot of men sir they're they broke our flank they say men ar needed to reinforce the regions sir!".

[Nicholas Ealing]

Ethan raised an eyebrow at Tom's decidedly vague account of events. He still didn't understand how the Private could have recieved the information before his commanding officer. Corporal Williams had joined the small company seconds earlier but Ethan was only half-aware of his presence. Edwards had somehow gained classified information and Ethan wanted to know how.

"Private," he repeated through gritted teeth. "I will ask you one more time and I want you to be 100% specific with your answer. What exactly did you hear and from who?"

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David watched as the Lieutenant became increasingly angry. David knew the Private was not telling the truth as he had never even been to battle let alone Africa and now he was saying he had secret information.

David also knew that if they were to leave for Africa at eight o clock the next morning they would have been told before. Though David wished it were true that they were off to fight as he had been waiting for action for a very long time.


David noticed that by now the crowd had began to disperse and go back to sitting in corners and drinking. David called the barmaid and asked to beers one for him and one for Private Price who had now come over to him.

"If he ain't telling the truth about that information the Lieutenant's gonna give him a one hell of a beating" said Price humorously.

"yeah that would be great" replied David.

"Let's go get a better look at whats going on"said David.

Then the two began to walk silently towards the Lieutenant.