DECORATING

By Bob French

Private Henry Mulhoon, Paddy to his mates, shivered as he shrugged his shoulders and slowly turned to complete another twenty paces out and twenty paces back outside the Headquarters building.  He had been on sentry duty since eight last night and was cold, tired, and hungry; all because his platoon sergeant found mud on his boots. 

He had tried to explain that the mud had got there because he had crossed the grass to get to the parade ground, but his platoon sergeant was having nothing to do with it.

The guardroom corporal relieved him at six in the morning so he could get changed into his work fatigues.  After breakfast he would be ready for his next round of fatigues; the painting of the barracks' main gate. A punishment he had been given by the Regimental Sergeant Major for smoking in uniform downtown. 

At nine o’clock on the dot, he presented himself to the guardroom orderly sergeant, and along with five other men, were taken outside and told exactly what do to.  Paddy who had painted most of the signs and fences inside the barracks, quickly took control and showed the rest of the men how to do the job properly.

At half past ten, the guardroom corporal called the men in for a mug of tea.  Just as they were making their way towards the main gate, a scream cut through the morning air, followed by the sound of a horse in distress. Everyone looked towards where the noise had come from.  It didn’t take long before everyone realised what was happening.  A hot-headed idiot had raced his new-fangled motor vehicle past the young girl who was sitting in her carriage and spooking the horse.  She had screamed as the horse had reared up, then bolted.

No one moved as the horse, which was now completely out of control, raced towards the main gates of the barracks.  Now, not many people know this, but Henry Mulhoon, before he joined the army, worked on a farm and knew how to deal with frightened horses. Whilst everyone dived for cover, Henry slowly moved out into the street, raised his arms, and walked towards the horse.  The horse continued to charge towards him, then, to everyone’s surprise, it stopped and Henry cradled its head and gently spoke to it, then turned to the young woman who looked a little disheveled and embarrassed.  

“Are you alright Missy?”

“Yes, and thank you for helping me.  That idiot in the motor vehicle ought to be reported to the constable.”

Paddy picked up the reins and slowly passed them to the young woman, who took them, then smiled at him, adjusted her hat, and slowly moved off.  Paddy stood stock still as he realised what he had just done.  His hands had been covered in black paint which he inadvertently covered the horse’s reins with, then as the young woman had taken the reins, she too had covered her gloves with the paint and to crown it all, she had adjusted her had.  Paddy did his best not to laugh but quickly headed for the guardroom.

The sergeant met him at the door with a huge smile on his face.

“Well done Mulhoon.  That took some courage.  I will make a point of informing Major Guthrie about your bravery today.”

“Major Guthrie?  Why corporal?”

“Do you know who that young lady was?”  The look on Paddy’s face told him he had no idea.

“That was Elizabeth Gutherie, his only daughter and a really nice young woman to boot.  I’m sure the major will be more than pleased with your conduct today.  He might even give you a medal for your bravery.”

Paddy suddenly felt very proud.  ‘A medal,’ he thought.  ‘For bravery. Me a lowly private getting a medal for bravery.’

The following day Paddy was on gardening fatigues, out front of the Headquarters building when the Regimental Sergeant Major and Major Guthrie came along the pavement and went to enter the building.

The Major stopped and looked down at Paddy with a smile on his face.  “Mulhoon is it?”

Paddy looked up and nodded.  Before he knew what was happening, the Regimental Sergeant Major bent down and screamed into Paddy’s face to get to his feet, salute and address the officer properly!

Paddy stunned by the sudden outburst, scrambled to his feet and mumbled an apology.

“Thank you for saving Elizabeth’s life yesterday.  That was very brave of you.”

He then turned and continued to walk with the Regimental Sergeant Major.  As they moved off, Patrick heard him say the word decorated.  His mind rushed back to what the guardroom sergeant had said about him being given a medal for his bravery.

A week had passed when Paddy, who had just finished cookhouse fatigues was summoned to report to the Adjutant’s office.  He knew that anyone asked to report to the Adjutant was either in real trouble or going to receive something special like a promotion or a medal.

He quickly cleaned himself up, brushed his uniform down, then hurried across to the Headquarters building.  He knew he had to report to the battalion Chief clerk first, then wait outside the Adjutant’s door.

Twenty minutes later the door opened and Major Guthrie stepped out and nodded to Paddy then left.  Minutes later Paddy was ordered into the office. 

After marching in and slamming to attention and giving the Adjutant one of his best salutes, he was told to stand at ease.

“Mulhoon. I understand that you saved the life of Miss Elizabeth Guthrie last week.  Well done.”

“Thank you, Sir.”  Paddy’s mind started to go into overdrive; The Military Medal, or maybe the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

“Major Guthrie has suggested some form of reward, so for the next three weeks you are to decorate the fencing and gates of Major Guthrie’s married quarters. 

At ten o’clock on Monday morning, Paddy stood back to admire his handiwork, when he was interrupted by Miss Elizabeth.  In her hand, she had a tray of freshly baked scones, jam and cream, and a mug of tea,

“Good morning Private Mulhoon.  I brought you some refreshments.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“Why thank you, Miss Guthrie, that’s very kind of you.”

“Look, whilst you are here, please call me Elizabeth.”

Paddy nodded with a huge grin on his face and extended his hand. “I’m Paddy Miss.”

Elizabeth laughed and lent down and carefully examined his hands before taking them.

“I know what happened the last time we touched hands Paddy.”

Do you know?  It took nearly five weeks to paint Major Guthrie’s fence and gates”

May 2023  

 Copyright Bob French