Basham - Robert F. Clifton (easy books to read in english txt) 📗

their seats and for the rest of the night and until four thirty the next morning sat listening to the engine sounds of German bombers as they passed overhead, exploding ordinance and the second raid of what would historically become to be called, “The Blitz.”

At seven forty five that same evening as the air raid

alarms blared in the streets of London people began leaving their homes and headed for the underground (subway). There,

they found the entrances to the tube closed. Many without the protection of shelters became victims. Four hundred and thirty people were killed. Sixteen hundred people were injured. It took three weeks of constant bombing by the Germans before the British government allowed the subways to be used as underground air raid shelters.

On the night of Wednesday, October 16, 1940 The German

bombers came again. This time they dropped newer, heavier explosives along with incendiary bombs. With the warning sirens

blasting, the residents of London made their way to the subway. There, thousands of Londoners crowded together. Infants and young children cried, some out of fear, some bored with being

kept from moving about freely. The elderly, some escorted by family members moved slowly down the subway entrance steps, taking one step at a time. Henrietta Camp was alone. At age eighty and with vision problems caused by cataracts in both eyes she grasped the stair step railing with one hand and slowly lowered one foot at a time searching for the next step that would take her to the bottom of the stairwell. As she did those in a hurry to seek a safe place in the tunnel moved past her, some bumping into her. Finally, in fear she stopped where she was and fought the tears that were forming in her eyes as the frustration of old age and infirmity was making it impossible to get to safety.

She turned her head when some one took her arm and in a soft feminine voice said, “Now, now mother let me help you. We'll just take our time and together we'll get down to the platform.”

Henrietta smiled, “Thank you my dear and may the Lord bless you for helping an old woman.”

“There's no need to thank me mother. I'll stay with you until it's safe to leave.”

The woman guided the elderly female to a place with room for both of them to sit and slowly lowered the woman in order for her to sit comfortably on the concrete floor. “There now. You can sit and even lean back against the wall if you desire”, said the helpful woman.

“Thank you my dear. You are so helpful for me at this time of need. What is your name, may I ask.”

“Certainly mother. I'm Mildred Perkins.”

“I am Henrietta Camp. Do you live close by?”

“No, I'm in the area just to be of help. You see I'm a social

worker. Now, I want you to relax. Later, I will want to check your pulse and blood pressure, just to make sure that you are alright.”

“Oh, you are a nurse.”

“No, but I preform nursing duties.”

“I see. Bless you.”

Bombs hitting the homes, buildings and streets of the city

above the underground at times shook the concrete and tile subway tube causing dust and dirt to fall from the ceiling.

Air raid wardens went about the crowd of people assuring them that they were safe and the tube could withstand the bombardment. Little did they know that German explosive ordinance had already penetrated the subway at Balham and Bounds killing many seeking safety there.

About an hour later an electric grid was hit and the lights in the underground went out. In the darkness children now afraid of the dark began to cry as mothers attempted t ease their fears. Cigarette lighters and matches were struck. Those with hand torches turned them on. In the darkness Mildred Perkins

wrapped her fingers around Henrietta Camp's throat and began to squeeze. Fifteen minutes later Mildred got up and made her way in the dark to another location far from where Henrietta now sat lifeless.

At day break came the all clear and the air raid wardens

escorted the people out of the underground. Then they checked

The platforms and tracks where hours before the people of London had sat with family members or huddled together with strangers. They looked for the lost, the injured and the dying.

One warden found the body of Henrietta Camp. Her back was against the subway wall. Her head was titled, her mouth and eyes open. Her body was cold. There was no pulse and she was not breathing. An hour later her body was removed and sent to a makeshift morgue and added to those who had died in the attack.

Walking through and around the rubble that had fallen into the street from the explosions of apartment buildings, stores and private homes Mildred turned her head from side to side. She saw men pulling brick and lumber from piles of material that once belonged to a dwelling as they searched for survivors. Woman and children stood silently watching, hoping, praying that a relative or friend might be found. Others stood crying as they looked at piles of debris that once was their home or at dead bodies that had been a loved one.

She had to cross over to another street as the fire brigade continued to to pump water on a building set on fire by the German incendiary bombs. Wardens and uniformed police directed pedestrians away from danger areas were fires were still burning or buildings were about to collapse.

At the sight of the police she became wary. She didn't like coppers. Coppers had stopped her from doing her duty, that of helping the elderly. Coppers had arrested her. Coppers had lied about her in court telling the Judge and jury that she was a killer. The Coppers and the judge listened to lying doctors who said that she was mentally ill. All of them together saw that she was sent to Haven Manor. The truth was she was actually a benefactor. It was she that searched for and found the old, sick, and infirm. It was she that comforted them when they were alone and scared and it was she that eased their pain and suffering. She held them close to her showing them compassion. As they tried to breath with her hands around their throats squeezing she prayed for them. When she knew that they were dead she made sure that they lay on their back, their eyes open so they could see their way to heaven.

Now, she was beginning to get tired. She needed sleep, a bath, a change of cloths and something to eat. She saw a bench at a bus stop and sat down. Opening the pocketbook that she had taken at the hospital she saw the stethoscope. She moved it aside and searched for money. She found three one pound notes, one five pound note and several shillings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Two

Birkbeck

 

On a Monday morning Alistair Basham used the public

transportation which took him from Harrow to Bloomsbury.

He had turned on the radio before leaving the house in order to get the latest news about the London raids and at the same time the weather report. The temperature was reported to be eleven Celsius and as usual there was a threat of rain. Like most people living in London or its suburbs he slipped the government issued gas mask contained in the canvas sack over one shoulder when he left the house. He carried the nearly ever present umbrella in one hand and as he walked to the entrance of Birkbeck University he looked up at the gray sky as rain clouds were already gathering.

First, he went to the small office that had been assigned to him. There he placed the umbrella in the stand, removed his overcoat and hat and took a seat at the desk. Checking for notices or messages and finding none he checked the time with his pocket watch, got up and made his way to the University Presidents Office. When he got there he waited patiently while the presidents secretary announced his arrival. “You may go in sir,” she said.

Entering the office of Frederick Simmons Alistair received a warm welcome. “Ah, Alistair old chap. How good to see you this fine morning. Did you have any problems commuting this morning?”, asked the president.

“No sir, the Hun has failed to realize the backbone of the English people. In spite of these air raids life in Britain goes on as usual.”

“Jolly good. Now, have a seat. I have something I wish to discuss with you,” said Simmons.

“Not bad news I hope”, Basham replied.

“That depends on how you take it old chap. The truth is the University of London is moving out of this area and into the country side. The governing board has decided that in order to continue its obligation to the students it must do it in a safe manner. As a result we will be closing down the London University campus here in the London area.”

“I see. Then I suppose by doing so my services are no longer needed.”

“No, no no. What I wanted to ask you is do you want to move with the rest of the faculty or stay here in Bloomsbury?”

“Stay doing what?”

“Teaching of course, but for the duration of the war it will be at Birkbeck.”

“And, just how many students do you anticipate attending my class while the war continues?”

“I have it from a reliable source that the army is considering sending some of its rank and file here to Birkbeck

for the purpose of taking a course in Criminology.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely my friend, but please, you didn't hear it from me.”

“ Is Ben Wilcox going with you?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Then, with no Sociology Department head, to whom do I submit my lesson plan?”

“The word is ten or fifteen Royal Military Police Officers will attend your first class. It shall be them that in their final analysis critiques both you and your subject matter.”

“I see, so what you are saying Freddy, is I have two choices, go with the flow and hide in the country side or place my arse on the chopping block with His Majesty's Army.”

“One could say that old boy, but again. The decision is up to you.”

“ I'll think it over. How much time do I have?”

“ For the transfer to the country side? Forty eight hours.

For the creation of your lesson plan for the army? Maybe fifty or sixty days. The word is the Military Police want to begin the course right after January one of 1941.”

“Well, the science of criminology is the same for all, whether it is for the sociology student, criminal justice student, police and now, the military. You say that the first class will be made up of officers. You may want to alert them to the fact that in the classroom and out of it, I am the commanding figure they will deal with.”

“I'm mighty sure that your reputation has already been made known to them.”

“Good, then I see no problems. Have a wonderful life in the country side Freddy.”

“Thank you. I wish you well with your new class.”

********************

At ten o'clock that morning Mildred Perkins walked slowly behind a crowd of people, most homeless now after the previously air raid. She carried a small piece of luggage containing one pair of silk stockings, underwear and a house dress. She had rummaged through a bombed out Apartment building on Tooley Street and found the valise and articles of clothing in the rumble. She needed the clothing, something to eat, a place to stop and rest and to sleep. Most of all she needed a bath. Up near the front of the moving line of air raid victims Mildred saw an elderly woman desperately trying to keep up with the flow of homeless all of whom seemed to be walking aimlessly for some place, any place were they could receive help.

When she got to where the old woman stood Mildred smiled and asked, “Are you