On September the 9th 1924, Charlotte Gallagher was born.
She was the only girl and had two older brothers, Stewart and John. Her older brothers were twins, born in September the 20th, 1919, to Christina and Alexander Gallagher. Their parents used to live in Dumfries and Galloway, where Alexander took over his father's farm after his passing. But soon enough, he changed careers when the Great War broke out and headed off to officer training school, which left Christina back in Dumfries, by herself.
With no other relatives, Christina soon moved into the city of Glasgow for a short period, before settling in Edinburgh. While her husband trained to be an officer, Christina worked in a linen factory. With not a lot of money, Christina was lucky to only have one mouth to feed, while her husband went off to fight in the war. The war started on the 28th of July 1914 and ended on the 11th of November 1918.
Being an officer in the war gave Alexander a decent paycheck. So, he kept a career in the army and moved Christina into a house, close to the training camp. After their twin boys were born, Alexander was already a Colonel. He was in charge of an entire Regiment and gave his sons and wife an enjoyable and comfortable life.
Charlotte was born in a comfortable cottage, surrounded by nothing but hills, streams, forests and grassy fields. She attended school in the village close by, while her two older brothers got ready for higher education back in Edinburgh. Charlotte was a bright and attentive student, who had a great interest in music, history and anything she could take apart and make with her hands. She loved to know how things worked. Her parents were both proud of their children. They were well-disciplined, respectful and bright.
Stewart and John both decided to follow their father's footsteps and joined the army soon after high school. They went to officer school, both became 2nd Lieutenants and joined their father's camp in the Scottish Borders. Charlotte was fourteen when Britain declared war on Germany after the Germans invaded Poland. Alexander had hundreds of young men to watch over, including his two sons, who were both Platoon leaders. It was then where Christina hugged her sons for the last time before they both headed for France.
That was the last they'd hear from Stewart and John.
For a very long time.
Alexander came back from the battle of France, with only half of the Division.
Christina was devastated. Knowing that she might never see her sons again, broke her heart. And she died quite suddenly, three weeks after. The death of Christina was a mystery. The doctors ended up labelling her death as a sudden heart attack. But Charlotte wasn't so sure. It was during this time when Alexander was honourably discharged from the army. With him, he had plenty of medals, ribbons and his Victoria Cross, from serving during the Great War. He was highly respected by the whole of the allied forces and had connections everywhere.
When Alexander moved back in, Charlotte was no longer alone.
And after spending one week inside the family home, Alexander decided to start fresh. He proposed the idea to Charlotte, he told her;
"America". He said, "we'd do well there".
So, the tiny family moved across the Atlantic and greeted America.
Alexander had friends in the States, and they stayed with a family in South Philadelphia for two months, before he found a lovely little house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Charlotte liked Lancaster. It was a charming town, with hard-working and kind people. Alexander enrolled his daughter into the local community college, where she found it challenging to fit in. But she did meet one young man in her class, who look a liking into Charlotte. And the pair of them quickly developed a friendship.
Harry Stevenson had lived in Lancaster all his life. And he wanted to be a vet. He loved animals, especially horses and spent his weekends at a farm, where he looked after the farmer's horses, goats and pigs. Soon enough, Charlotte was up at that farm with Harry, and she loved it. She loved being with the horses; she'd spend hours grooming them.
Harry would often tell Charlotte;
"you're good with horses. Maybe you should be a vet too".
Charlotte thought hard about being a vet that night.
It was winter, the month of Christmas.
And the next morning, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and America joined the war.
Harry planned to enlist after his nineteenth birthday.
Charlotte hated to see her only friend go.
"What about being a vet?" She wondered quietly.
Harry smiled, "well, I'll be a vet when we beat the Germans, Lottie".
She could appreciate his optimism.
Even if it was a little naive.
Charlotte and Harry were pretty opposite. He was outgoing, fun and active. Charlotte was quiet, reserved and shy. But they balanced each other out. When Harry reached too high up, Charlotte would gently pull him back down to reality.
They were sitting in Harry's room that afternoon; it was the day after Christmas. Alexander was out with some old friends from the army and left his daughter in the care of Harry's parents. She didn't mind, not at all. Mr and Mrs Stevenson were lovely and devoted Christians. They were popular in the town. They lived in house 420 south-west avenue. And they were very friendly with their neighbours. It was strange at first, moving to Lancaster for Alexander and Charlotte as the whole town attended church every Sunday and knew each other. They were a well-built community. But Alexander was a known figure in the army and the community took to him and his daughter well.
"Harry, Charlotte!" Mrs Stevenson called, "come down for a minute, please!"
Stubbing out their cigarettes, Harry and Charlotte tossed them out of the window before grabbing a stick of gum each. Making sure they didn't smell of smoke, they both left the room and rushed down the stairs. Only to be met with their next-door neighbour and her son.
"Look who's back, Harry". Mrs Stevenson gushed, "and doesn't Dick look handsome in his uniform – oh, Edith. You must be so proud".
The Winters were another well-respected family.
They were hard-working and did a lot for the community.
Richard and Edith Winters had two children. Dick and Ann.
But this was Charlotte's first encounter of the Winters.
Taking a step forward, Harry shook Winters hand;
"Good to see you again, Dick". He said, "how was Croft?"
"Yeah, good". He replied politely. "You still in college?"
Harry nodded, "sure am". He confirmed. "I work at Bill's farm now too".
"That's good, Harry". Winters replied, "you working hard?"
"You'd bet, Dick". Harry then grabbed onto Charlotte's arm and brought her forward, "this is my friend, Lottie. She's from Scotland and moved here nine months ago".
Charlotte gave the young man a shy sort of smile;
"hello". She whispered.
Winters smiled, "good to meet you, Lottie. Did you meet Harry at college?"
"Yeah, we did". Harry replied, "she works with me at Bill's now. We have a great old time, don't we Lottie? Hey, Dick. I'm 'gonna sign up after my nineteenth. Ain't that right, mom?"
Mrs Stevenson sighed, "well, your dad seems to think it would do you some good". She then added, "I'm not sure you're mature enough".
"I wouldn't worry, Mrs Stevenson". Winters assured her, "the army life is great for young men like Harry".
"Dick has been training a Platoon of men". Edith bragged, and rightly so, "his Sargent wanted Dick and his friend to stay behind and train the new boys coming in".
"That's very impressive, Dick". Mrs Stevenson said, "how are you liking the extra responsibility?"
Winters nodded, "it suits me fine, Mrs Stevenson".
Edith then looked down at Charlotte, and she smiled;
"so, Lottie". She said, "you're from Scotland?"
She nodded, "yes, Mrs Winters".
"And did you move here with your family?"
"My dad, Mrs Winters-"
"her dad is Colonel Gallagher". Harry pointed out, "he's with some other high-ranking officers, celebrating the holidays. So, Lottie stayed with us".
Winters looked at Charlotte, "Colonel Gallagher?" He questioned, with a raised eyebrow.
"Retired". Charlotte told him softly, "he was honourably discharged after the battle of France".
"He fought during the Great War, did he not?" Winters continued to ask, "my Sargent spoke of him once. He's highly respected".
Mrs Stevenson placed a hand on Charlotte's shoulder;
"would you all like some coffee and muffins? I baked them this morning with Lottie".
Edith smiled, "sounds lovely, Maggie".
When Harry's older brother returned from work a few minutes later, Dick Winters greeted his old high school friend. And of course, Derek was impressed with Winters uniform and new military life. But Derek had no desire to fight; he wanted to remain working in the hospital, whereas Harry was gun-ho and craved the action. So, the conversation was entertaining during their coffee and muffins. Derek spoke about the hospital; Harry went on about guns. And Winters tended to keep quiet, much like Charlotte.
Charlotte and Harry didn't see Winters again for a while after that.
Apparently, he had graduated from Officer Candidate School and was now a 2nd Lieutenant. It was around that time, where Harry had formed up an idea. He had seen a poster about this army branch called the Paratroopers. And he was drawn in from the get-go. Harry wanted to be apart of the best and fight alongside the best. He craved the action and jumping behind enemy lines, was a perfect match for Harry.
Charlotte wanted to go with him.
Alexander Gallagher wasn't impressed;
"Lottie, you haven't finished college".
He didn't mention the obvious. That women weren't allowed to fight. Or that it would have been impossible for Charlotte to join a combat role in the army. And it had crossed Charlotte's mind, but she was sure, her father could get her in.
"Your brothers have been taken from us". Alexander whispered, "they're prisoners of war, and you want to leave me too?"
"I don't want to". Charlotte mumbled, "but…I think I have to".
If it weren't for Alexander, Charlotte would never have been allowed to join.
But she passed the medical examination, and she signed up for the Paratroopers in July.
Unfortunately, Harry didn't pass the medical. His eyesight was terrible, and he was declared "unfit for service" due to his asthma. Charlotte wanted to quit when she found out her friend wasn't allowed to join, but Alexander wouldn't let that happen. So, she was bound for training and had to wait for her call-up date.
"It wasn't even your idea". Harry mumbled.
They were both at the farm on the weekend.
Charlotte was grooming one of the horses, while Harry filled up the hay nets.
"This is shit, Lottie".
Frowning, Charlotte remained quiet and continued to brush the horse.
It was the last weekend she'd spend with Harry on the farm. In fact, Harry stopped talking to her altogether. Mrs Stevenson felt terrible for her son and Charlotte. And she tried to encourage Harry to be Charlotte's friend again, but Charlotte was rejected every time. So, she gave up and focused on her call-up date.
Just weeks before her eighteenth birthday, Charlotte's call-up date arrived.
She'd get the train and head into Georgia on the twenty-seventh of August.
Charlotte was to join the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Sink. A West Point Class Graduate of 1927. Alexander didn't know Sink personally, but he had heard a lot of good things about him from a mutual friend, Bill Lee. Who was the commander of the U.S Army's jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. And in August, he was promoted to the two-star rank of Major General, becoming the first Commanding General of the newly formed 101st Airborne Division.
Charlotte had never met General Lee.
But her father spoke highly of him and everything he had done for the Airborne Infantry. It was a brand-new way of fighting for the Americans, and Alexander could see the Paratroopers doing well. The 506th was different; they were to train together, earn their jump wings together and then head off into combat together whereas many men were split up and sent where they were needed. The 506th would remain together throughout the war.
Charlotte was nervous.
Alexander was nervous. But he was also very proud of his daughter. And perhaps sad to see her go, as all of his children were now following in his footsteps. And he didn't think his heart could take losing the only family he had left. But Alexander wouldn't stand in his daughters' way. If she wanted to fight, then he would do all he could to make that happen even if the risks of losing her were very high.
So, in late August, Alexander waved goodbye to his daughter and watched her board the train to camp Toombs, Georgia.