Your Soldier Boy's Not Here

We'll never drink his lager anymore

"Any news from our boy's on the front line? What gains have we made?" James Rannow's feet hurt, conversation helped take his mind from the pain. "Nothing mate, sweet Fanny Adams after a year. Stalemate in France. All I saw was me mates coming home in wooden boxes. Bleedin' lucky to make it back I was." James and another soldier were on sentry duty. Within eyeshot was Lieutenant Nisbet-Lindley, his valet Smythe and Second Lieutenant Higgins. "So much for the war being finished by Christmas.""We've gone off the boil mate. Be years I reckon, of each of us taking pot shots across no-mans-land.""The General's never said which Christmas."

From afar, Nisbet-Lindley's eyes narrowed on James, "That man Rannow he is always shirking. Far too busy talking and not enough following orders to the letter." Higgins said, "Oh how jolly aggravating. He certainly is cocksure of himself." "Perhaps I can send him off to Béthune then he can find out what happens to lazy soldiers.""Could you do that." "Certainly. In the time it takes to say 'tickety boo', we could have the chap whisked off." "First things first Nisbet, my hamper should be delivered today. Come and join me in a glass of port."

Later that day Smythe bumped into Rannow,"Here Rannow, you seem like a decent sort. I wanted to warn you, his nibs has it in for you. He's even talking of sending you to France."Some colour drained from James' face, "I appreciate the warning. Nisbet's always had some sort of prejudice against me. Whenever he can he gets me to take the slops out in buckets, or other demeaning tasks like cleaning the toilets." "To be honest James, I'm not in agreement with it. Almost every other officer in the British Army would do anything for his men. But not that so-and-so. Wish there was something I could say or do."

At times like this James found peace visiting the Catholic chapel. In the confession booth, James made the sign of the Cross."Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been a year since my last confession."Father Patrick said, "I understand. There is a war on. Tell me of any indiscretions you have been involved in."James shuffled his knees on the hard wood floor of the dark booth. "Father, I want to confess that I'm reluctant to go to France. I don't want to have my head blown off." There was a strain in his voice. "My son these things are only natural. It is normal to have such concerns.""I see some of the other volunteers all eager to do their bit. I just feel shame that I want the war to be over. In my stomach there is a deep pit of fear and worry. Is it even right Father to take a life, even that of a German? From what I can see many of them are only young men, and seem just like us." "Are you afraid?" "I volunteered, but there is a nagging doubt in the pit of my stomach. The core of my being says it is wrong. Wrong to take a life." Father Patrick was sympathetic, despite his big size his voice was husky, gentle, soothing, "From a theological point of view, Saint Augustine was clear that nation's have a right to go to war to help peace. To prevent evil that poses a greater threat to peace. Our just war theory helps with decisions on the conduct of war." "Father would it be wrong if I made myself sick, so that I would not be well enough to travel to the front lines. Just sick enough to stay here in blighty.""Let us be clear, God has given us life to use as fruitfully as we can. After all you've two children now who need their daddy. In the church's eyes the sanctity of life is all important. How you use your time is up to your discretion. Our Pope Benedict has been busy with encouraging peace between nations, a well as helping exchange prisoner's and injured men." "I'll try and be courageous father. Thank you for listening." "And James, Keep your head down when you get out there. It's not worth taking too many risks."There was silence for several seconds."I will now grant you absolution, and absolve you from sin. God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven. Amen."'