End of the Line

Chapter Thirty-three. An Exchange of Letters.

Chapter Thirty-three 

Exchange of Letters

Authors Note: Just a reminder.This chapter contains original letters. Please do not comment on the many grammatical errors. 

For the two weeks following Bill's heroic action the Canadians were in almost constant contact with the Germans. Jack and Tommy received their true baptism of fire in the assault on Assoro. There they learned the true hell of stretcher bearing.  

During combat, by day or by night, they were in constant action, making their way through an incessant barrage of shells and gunfire to the most forward positions, retrieving the wounded and carrying them back to the clearing station. There would be a momentary rest then back again for more. There was no protection for them, no shelter in slit trenches, just constant exposure to the hail of bullets. They had to make life and death decisions. Which of the wounded were beyond saving, which could possibly live to fight another day? They felt like the angels of death. To the troops, they were known as "body snatchers".  

On the 1st of August came the welcome news. "9th Ambulance will now proceed to a rest area where the troops will enjoy a period of relaxation and the rewards for a job well done." 

The rest area turned out to be a scorched and stony plateau in the interior of the island, near Grammichele. To make matters worse, from the high ground they could see the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Rumour had it that many of the non-combatants had taken over comfortable billets in resort hotels at the seaside. They however were confined to base. All towns and cities were out of bounds. No fraternization with the Sicilianos was allowed. No barter for, or purchase of, local goods was allowed.  

As for relaxation, there was little. It was like a boot camp starting at 0600, six days a week. On Sundays, they were allowed to sleep late but at 0900 there was a compulsory church parade, after which they were free to clean kit and weapons. To antagonize them even further they were subjected to innumerable inspections by non-combatant officers and even worse, ceremonial inspections for visiting V.I.Ps. So they spent the entire month of August blistering in a virtual desert.  

The order to move to the coast of the Straits of Messina in preparation for the invasion of Italy came as almost welcome relief.  

For members of the 9th Ambulance there was little talk of what lay ahead. They had all been bloodied, but still not fully prepared for what lay ahead in Italy.  

W.Benson 093642 

9th Canadian Field Ambulance 

R.C.A.M.C. 

28th December. 

My dear June, 

Hello. You will be thinking by now I have forgotten you but no the other way about. I have not had much chance to write as you know we were in another show and it was one of the hardest yet. We were working all kinds of hours and when we did have a sleep it was in a foxhole that was when they let us sleep. What with the shelling and the planes at night it was a hard thing to do. But we are out for awhile now to rest up and clean up. You will never know just how dirty a fellow can get laying in a foxhole. On those nights when the action was really hot I just prayed and so did the rest. I saw you as plain as day.  

A few of our boys are not with us anymore. But that's what one as to expect. Its still hard to part with fellows that has been with us since 39. Its just a matter of luck really. I just heard that one of our regimental first aid posts was shelled and there were a lot of casualties. Poor sods, they had just gone through hell in Ortona. I just hope Jack and Tommy weren't there. I haven't seen either of them for days. We have a grand place now to sleep in. It's a dug out about four yards square. We can't have a light at night but the fly's don't get in so one can sleep out of a net for a change. 

Well my dear it wont be long till its all over by the sound of things. I do hope they send us home after we take Rome. We have all had enough of war. I had hoped last year to be home for your birthday this year but I sure will be for the next and then we will make up for the four that's gone by. I wont be able to send you even a card this year but on the 13th no matter what I am doing I'll think of you all day. 

Well my dear I am going to do a little more washing so give my best to all. I love you darling and will be back some day. All my love as ever. 

Your loving husband 

Bill 

P.S. Just received some terrible news. Jack and Tommy were involved in the shelling I mentioned earlier. Tommy was hit by shrapnel in the shoulder. They never found Jack's body but Tommy said he was definitely there. There is to be a mass burial tomorrow - eighteen members of the medical corp are unaccounted for. I have no way of telling you how terrible I feel. Jack was not only a brother he was my best friend. First Betty, now Jack and before that Sid. Maybe that's it. They say bad luck strikes in threes. Mum and Dad must be heartbroken. Help Mary to look after them and pray for me.

1408 Pierce Street 

Montreal 

January 21st 1944

Darling Bill, 

I didn't really want to write this letter, what with all your going through, but your mother insisted. I have just returned from a memorial service that was held for Jack at St Stephens Your mother insisted in going in her wheelchair, but your father refused to attend. He is a changed man. The loss of Jack has proved too much for him. He just sits in his favourite chair staring in to space and muttering to himself. He hasn't eaten in days. I don't know what we can do for him. I just pray that you make it home safe and sound. Not just for me but also for him. 

At the service I met your sister Belle for the first time. She seems to have done well for herself. She is a widow and now lives in North Hatley. She has kept in touch with your brother Dan, who is also serving overseas. He is posted somewhere in England. I also met George and Meg. They seem very happy. He is now a vet in Bancroft, a small town near Algonquin , and they have two kids, both girls. They have all rallied around to help financially but Belle wants absolutely nothing to do with your father. What happened there? 

I know you and Jack were great buddies and that you will miss him dearly. I just hope his untimely death doesn't cause you to do something daft. From all accounts this terrible war will be over by next Christmas Please be careful.You'll soon be home and we can start our life together. If we have a son we could call him Jack. That would be a fitting memorial don't you think? 

I miss you terribly, especially at times like this. Keep safe my darling.  

Hugs and Kisses 

June

Sergeant W.Benson. 093642 

9th Canadian Field Ambulance 

R.C.A.M.C. 

Sat.24th September 1944 

My Dear June, 

Hello my dear. Not much to report as things are very quiet. Not much doing these days. Nobody getting a leg or an arm off so I have not got much to do. 

Its been quite a while since I got any mail from anybody. I did hear that Dan is in France. I wish I had the chance to go there. I had just has well see all as I can when I got the chance. I have seen all of Italy I want to see. 

Well my dear I have been thinking of what I am going to do when this thing is all over. The first thing I want to do is buy a home. I don't care if its just a shanty as long as its ours and no rent to pay every month, and then if I can get a job on the mail or railroad I'll take it or go in to some kind of business for myself. What do you think would be the best bet? You never say if you ever think about such things. Do you? 

We have just got a new O.C. Our old one went back to Canada. I don't know what the new one is going to be like. He does not seem to bad so far. He has only been here a few days. So far he is not so bad. Well my dear I guess thats all for now. Give my best to all and all my love to you. Goodnight darling. 

Love  

Bill