Rise and fall
by Roughputplediamond (Jules)
In 1939 over one million Canadian soldiers including French, Spanish and British Canadians gave their Lives when they went to fight for their Country, their freedom and the remaining free world including the women who were active as nurses and airforce workers.
They lost 42000 soldiers and 55000 were injured.
There are 12 unknown soldiers that are buried to one grave per burial site, this is because so many suffered the brutal sting of torture and death in POW Camps where their remains were so badly decomposed, in such a state that it would be considered in poor taste to be returned while many bodies were never found including those brave men who perished while fighting On the beaches of Normandy in France, The forests in Belgium, The brutal islands around the Pacific Ocean and offcourse Hong kong anf Singapore which fell to the imperial empire under the Japanese army in December 1941 Early 1942.
Those who made it to Germany and The Austrian Alps to bring down the SS and the strong hold The vile Dictator Adolf Hitler hard over Europe, we remember and thank you for your service
This is a story about four ordinary young men on the cusp of 20 to 21 years old who had their own lives, families and had fallen in love destined through an enormous historical tragedy to lose their most beloved Wives, Fiance's, Family members and best friends should they never meet again.
This an alternate time and era story
1944 after DDay.
My lament
"Oh I have touched the ground with my feet and felt the blood pool beneath me"
"The sting of my memories run riot in my mind, lost to the dance of time where I embraced my Sweetheart and kissed her good bye"
By Ship, on land, or the dreamers that fly
Oh to be the dashing hero and angel of the sky. Alas after months of training and hardship. I find my feet in front of the foe
Coming at me,not slow. It's a never-ending war that was promised to end last Christmas and the one before and before.
I deal him with my rifle a barrage of fatal blows.
Oh and when we met with our empire friends The Elite, they thought they were above the Canadian fleet.
We give our heart and support our French born comrades born in the vast landscape
Of Quebec, Vancouver and Toronto where I too was born.
The poet of my name.
With alot inside my brain.
I wonder where my lovely bird, blonde and blue like an angelic saint
Oh her kind spirit, I cannot taint.
Then after the mud, blood, sweat and tears
I'm recruited to serve the best mission in three years.
I Trent Cooper, a man of a mere means
From just Outside of Ottowa in Ontario so it seems. Born and raised to love and not hate
My heart filled my body when I had my first date. I wrote my Fiance of whom I will marry yet I knew that would worry her sick as she tarried
We went swimming together and were very much adult. We removed our clothing to feel each other's heartbeat
I gave her my Mothers ring and vowed Is return.
She said yes but why not now.
I smiled "Gwen my sweet
"In my heart youll slow burn.
Thats what kept me alive on the shores
While my friend was bleeding and two others limbs lay on the sand. A poor fellow lost both legs while the other his left hand.
My innocence had gone and perished was my happiness.
May God bless this mission,
its important and a privilege to serve in.
The death that surrounds
the loud bombers around me,
were sending my insides within.
My mind is failing.
Im foggy and scared
"Do these, you're not a coward"
My Sergeant sneered.
30 Missions, money in my pocket
A terrifying loss of pilots on both sides
Only My beautiful and lovely Fiance
Keeps me in my stride.
Gwen my sweet, a loving greet, I imagine holding you with more passion than ever before. Please wait Gwen oh wait until Im knocking at your door.
Private T Cooper (Trent)
Tyler:
1940 January 3rd
The night before the men Leave for Halifax on a convoy ship to protect Hong Kong with the Royal Canadian Army.
In Vast plains of the Alberta green, Tyler waited for his most well known and beautiful bride.
The woman he had made his own was the envy of many a Husband and the Wives who glared as she openly kissed him in front of large cameras in black and white.
"Ill never know how I got an angel like you to say yes" Tyler warmly smiled as his pin-up girl and Bride the lovely famous Lindsay Lavender her stage name sold posters, post cards and gave the troops fighting, something pretty to avert their attention from as they admired her beautiful blonde bombshell laying on different set pieces, from green grass, to over a bed in modest yet appealing nightwear, pink like soft cotton candy, her lony blonde hair and voluptuous curves shown behind tight corset and stockings of old .
Tyler first fell in love when his older Brother David came home and had shocked the family by enlisting early on in 1939.
October 30th just weeks after War was declared by Prime Minister Makenzie King in British Colombia.
His Mother forbade him to go but he didn't listen as he was old enough as was Tyler who had also signed up with his school friends Harold and Geoff.
It was at the recruitment office where his Faf had given David the same speech related to the middle Child.
"Just come back okay son?"
Tyler nodded. "Yes Sir"
He then saw two pictures at the recruitment office. Among the "Canada needs you' and war propogandic material was a breathtaking picture.
Lindsay Lavender, signed with her own hand in an ink Quill, laying in a red polka dot dress, holding a poppy. Her hair was like a resting place that Tyler imagined would smell like vanilla and roses.
There was another picture of her holding hands with A pinup who signed her name beside Lovely Lindsay Lavenders. They wore pink in a soft tone and the fake seashore lay behind them as they grasped each others manicured hands and their dresses flared by a fake breeze holding them up. Lindsay's big blue eyes and smile with cherry lipstick and tiny earrings matched the long black haired beauty beside her nicknamed by the agency "Heavenly Heather' a fake smile and seductive eye make up insured the photo looked mesmerising and Tyler was only it was Lindsay he had his brown eyes on
The recruitment officer noticed this and roared loudly.
"Take a good look my boy" "these are who you are fighting for" 'Our young women, our children and our Mothers" 'those who cannot pick up a weapon but certainly add to the war effort in their own special way" he added, getting lost in the young ladies eyes from the posters
From that moment on, a determined guy From Alberta just like his love to be Lindsay, vowed and declared that he was going to "Marry that beautiful woman"
Laughter was then heard and even his Dad told his son he was "Wishfully thinking.
Tyler grew angry.
He filled out his papers and stormed out with his Uniform and paperwork.
"Wishful thinking huh?"
He then yelled on the street "Just watch me"
So it came to be on that beautiful yet uncertain day, that Lovable Lindsay, looking a true beauty in lace and silk, ivory white with a long viel of which Heather and het friend soon to be graduate Nurse Bridgette held.
Geoff cried and Harold was beyond impressed
Heather was beautiful in Red gown and silver tiara told Tyler he scrubbed up well"
"So do you" Tyler replied smirking
Heather gasped.
Lindsay giggled and held Tyler's hand and promised her vowels to be faithful, obedient and loving to her beautiful Tyler in her words.
Tyler had hearts in his eyes and hisnay saying older brother and Father congratulated him after he spoke his vowels promising to protect her in sickness and in health and in times of war. "Then when I get home baby, we'll make lots of babies" he grinned
Lindsay's heart swelled with joy. Hugging him and giving him a very decadent kiss thsr made her parents and inlaws blush she agreed and asked with tears in her eyes "please come home to me" "I could not bear to lose you"
Tyler held her close and kissed her.
"You wont sweetheart" he reassured her while a pit of a million rocks hit his stomach.
Geoff whispered from behind the groom, "Don't worry Lady fare, I will keep him safe"
Lindsay thanked him. Bridgette just nodded and bit her lip apprehensive.
At the reception they clinked glasses while the men, kitted out in their official Royal Canadian uniforms chatted amongst themselves and all patted Tyler on the back.
"A toast" "before the couple danced" Bridgette stood up in her blue dress and neatly tied hair.
"While many of our sons, Husbands and Fiance's, nephews and grandchildren to some, Embark on this unknown journey"she blinked back Tears while Geoff held her hand. "May Godspeed be with them"
"Yet right now may we forget that for this afternoon and this evening as we celebrate my best friend who grew up in Alberta and is now on every young man's postcard from abroad"
They all cheered and Harold and Duncan who was with his uptight fiance made a sexy remark which made Courtney furious.
Duncan followed her and explained it was a light hearted quip. "Besides Im catching the train tomorrow" she kept walking until she cried. "I don't want you to go to france" Courtney wept. "Babe" he hugged his fiance and told her he would be fine.
"Besides I have you to worry about signing up to be a red cross nurse" Duncan replied anxiously.
"I want to do my part and Bridgette may even end up where I do"
"Yeah but it depends where you're posted and we don't know where that will be"
Duncan then shuddered. "What if it's the Islands or Hong kong even Singapore" he yelled. "I've heard stories, horrific ones"
Courtney held Duncan's hand. "Im sure its not true" she replied kissing him gently
"They won't send me anywhere that doesn't uphold the Geneva convention
Duncan sighed. "Okay okay'
They then embraced in a kiss and returned to the venue where Lindsay was dancing with Tyler.
Bridgette sang and sang well.
With a piano behind her played by a young female nurse aid named Beth she sang a familiar yet hopeful and humbling song
"Well meet again", dont know where dont know when " she smiled at Geoff who gazed lovingly into her green eyes as he stood by the stage, where she sang into a silver microphone attached to strings and a stand
"She would've made a spectacular lounge singer" Duncan said.
Geoff agreed.
"But I know well meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through the way you always do
Til the blue clouds push the dark clouds far away"
Lindsay held Tyler close and he took his black tuxedo jacket off.
"I'll be in my uniform tomorrow, on the boat from Halifax with Geoff to Hong kong" he sighed.
Lindsay felt a large knot in her stomach.
She could see the pain and apprehension in Tylers Mother's eyes and concern in his Father George. They'd already sent one son to war so irrespectively Tyler didn't have to go.
"You are under no, what's the word?" Lindsay scanned her brain while resting her head against her newlywed.
"Obligation?" Tyler questioned. Stopping the dance and holding hid beautiful bride.
"I know but you're doing your bit and so is Heather" the dark haired pinup was sitting drinking champagne in thoughts of her boyfriend who had foolishly gone to fight in the Spanish civil war. "For his ancestry"
Lindsay wept and nodded. "It's all I can do" "Women don't have a lot of choices in times of War" My Mom told me. "So I figured I could inspire and encourage the troops with my pictures" she stated. "If you must go, I love you either way baby" she pressed her lips against his.
Tyler felt two tears fall from his eyes as Geoff started welling up then wiped his eyes and shrugged it off "The song its uh powerful"
Tyler agreed.
They then cut a small fruitcake (there was a depresion on afterall) while Lindsay was wealthy and making her own money, Tyler was not so the Army provided three meals a day, two uniforms and 25-Canadian dollars which back then was high enough to entice alot of struggling, out of work men to enlist.
"Plus I get to see parts of the world I'd never in a million days and nights think I'd be fortunate enough to see".
Tyler was prepping himself up.
Lindsay encouraged him to remain positive she just adored him so much it would be agony at that train stop .
"Tonight we have each other" he reassured her taking her hand and going to leave for Lindsay's home where they would remain until after the war for someone marital consummation when Harold grabbed Tyler quickly.
"So Casanova" How did you get the pin up girl we all adore?" The redheaded Marine asked.
Tyler narrowed his eyes"what do you mean adore?" He asked with a sour tone.
"Tyler baby" Lindsay held Tyler and stroked his hair. "They have pictures, you have the real thing, I'm yours"
Tyler picked Lindsay up and more applause was heard as he apologised to Harold and went to take three wedding photos paid for by Lindsay's Talent agent.
"Perfect for the magazine" Lindsay jumped on Tyler and he fell on grass outside while she landed on top of him.
Heather continued to pose for photos until the photographers saw Lindsay and Tyler. They werent hurt, just laughing happily and it was captured on camera to print showing off her best features
",No one in my training camp believed I was dating you Mrs Lavender Kennard" "I nearly got my keister kicked in by six of the guys In my barracks for lying but Geoff had my back and said I was engaged to you." "All I had were two postcards from you baby but they had your loving messages to me" "so it proved them wrong"
Tyler explained all while Lindsay giggled and thanked him for his loyalty and patience when waiting for her that night in Alberta where Lindsay did a photo shoot to encourage the troops to enlist.
"You were wearing yellow" Tyler grinned.
"I was" She replied sweetly.
"There were the photographers and make up team and wardrobe team, ah it was tiring but then you" . She giggled "You", "Tyler the sweetest kindest most polite man ive ever met comes up to me in the middle of a set" , "annoying the photographer greatly and making me laugh and feel like..."she downcast her eyes to the grass below them .
"Like a human being and not a toy or object of affection for men to arouse themselves with".. she said with happy tears falling intertwined with her mascara.
Tyler got up and held his bride close.
They both locked lips while photographers snapped the shots.
Lindsay wasn't mad.
Tyler however wanted privacy with his beautiful Wife.
He told everyone including those at the reception that he was going to make a Woman out of Lindsay Lavender" the crowd applauded.
Heather scoffed . "She's not a virgin"
Bridgette slapped her shoulder. "Shut up, what that pervert casting agent did isn't sex, its unwanted advances on a vulnerable female".
Heather rolled her eyes. "You think that I didn't go through the exact same thing plus I had to "hide" my Heritage" "you guys know, Lindsay knows and obviously Tyler but Lindsay and me are colleagues and she wouldn't ever tell anyone" Heather hid her inner pain as she spoke. Though she was very tipsy at this point.
The pain of pretending her Japanese Mother died when really she relocated to Japan. Heather's Dad made her pass for white.
That was the done thing in the 1940s.
Alejandro understood racism himself and had his fair share of anti latino remarks plus physical beatings which did make him stronger long term and chose to fight for Spain and continue to even after the Spanish civil war which ended horribly.
Once Tyler and his pin-up were laying in the beautiful spare room with their wedding pictures and lindsays pictures displayed on the wall and in frames, Lindsay, naked after their romantic romp leaned over and went to open her dresser. Tyler stroked ger legs, bottom and drew circles on her back.
"Hmmm Mr Kennard you certainly know your way around my body" she purred.
Tyler filled with a slight ego boost ran his hands up her legs again. "What can I say ?"
"We did everything but have relations"
Lindsay giggled seductively. "Yes and you enjoyed all of it"
Tyler agreed "Oh yeah" "The showers together, the other things..." "Like when you used your"...
Lindsay stopped him with a kiss. "I remember Husband Dear". she winked.
The bombshell pin up then moved off Tyler and handed him four pictures and two were photos with notes on the back "My Soldier My Hero Tyler" "I Love you forever baby" "Stay safe, stay focused stay strong"
"Love your Lavender Lindsay.'
Tyler couldn't stop looking at the two wedding pictures and the lovely pink pin up girl on the bed as well as her laying on a beach set with a black and white striped swimsuit that covered her but was still one piece. Her hair flowed in every picture..
Tyler told Lindsay he would keep them by his side all the time.
"Always thinking of you baby" he gleamed proceeding to lay on his sexy bride for round two
"Always and forever" she softly replied.
Meanwhile in Alberta.
Bridgette was restless she didn't know if her nursing was up to scratch so she'd be having hands-on combat nurse training.
"Where will they send me Geoff?"she lay on him and wept.
"Sweetheart listen to me you'll be fine" "you're a kind person with a large heart who knows?" you may even be posted in Hong kong and Nurse Tyler and me"
Bridgette gasped and worriedly shook her head.
"Dont joke about that Geoff" she cried
"You're not dying or going to"
Geoff held his beautiful wife closely and reassured her that just like the song
"Theyd meet again"
TBC
Hong Kong and Singapore fell to the Imperial Arny in Dec 1941-January 1942
Injured prisoners who weren't fortunate enough to get sent home before the invasion were stuck under a brutal regime that killed and assaulted Women, murdered children and killed most of the wounded men or sent them to POW.
Should I?
Im toying the idea of the red Ross nurses being captured in Hong Kong since a lot, a huge amount in fact of Canadian Men and Women were nurses and Soldiers in
Hong- Kong during the invasion. Out of the 109 soldiers who were captured in Hong kong29 survived and just barely.
We remember them.
This is the calm before the storm
Chapter two nightmares nightingale
More than 1.1 million Canadian men and women served in the armed forces.
this chapter will focus on letters from the front and the two Nurses Courtney Satella and Nurse B Summers
the letters from POW camps dont get out until after liberation but will still be written and given to the families in 1945 in Canada.
What becomes of Alejandto once Spain falls? is he captured by the Germans and sent to Mathausen a brutal Prison Camp where hundreds Of thousands of Spanish were murdered or will he evade capture and join up with a Platoon headed for Normandy?
Where is Gwen? at home alone? waiting for Trent the Fighter Pilot to knock on her door
Duncan is sent to Europe where he meets a familiar face or set of faces.
TBC