Mary to complete the cycle that she knew was her destiny.she had to try for a child just once more.
She had been a dutiful loving wife, for 25 years, 20 of those she had dreamed of being a mother, on no less than four occasions, she had been let down, by her redeemer, at the very last hurdle creating the conclusion, that it would never be. When Mary sat on the porch of her beautiful little small holding, she gazed over to her husband, working sleeplessly in the fields, at the rear of the home, and patted her enormous, stomach, all the previous times her pregnancy had run so far, her confidence, had never once waned, but somehow this felt a lot different not just the size but she seemed to be calmer more confident in the outcome. Were others would have stopped trying; she was adamant that she would not lose, her child this time.
.Her anxieties about pregnancy, had been filled with apprehensions about the death of her newborn children, the death of a child in infancy was not a surprise to anyone “We have our children taken from us,” her mother cried out, “the Desire of our Eyes taken away with a stroke.”
All though her life she had known the dangers, she just had to attempt something new. Who it was who had told her about Anne, I’m not sure, but as soon as she arrived she knew that a bond would be formed, Anne just oozed confidence,
“You do look well Mary.”
“What ever, it is Boy or Girl you are going to require a large cot” the smile followed by a haughty laugh, removed the stress that Mary was feeling.
Anne was an experienced Irish DOULA, from the city, and had been recommended, to help through her childbirth it was at these time’s women require reassurance, they also support both physical emotional, even spiritual, the type of insight only a women who has been through the experience can provide. In her late 60s she spoke in a very confident tone, as if nothing would cause her alarm.
Events during childbirth can be scary at the best of times, and the confidence from calm, experienced women who had seen 100s of births, and would understand what to do, in dangerous circumstance. Was just what Mary required. For Mary who all her life had believed that what ever happened was Gods will in this case nothing would change other than the fact that the almighty would receive a little assistance. From Anne.
From the moment the contractions commenced, Anne and Mary were a team, even the terrible pain, that mother was enduring, seemed much less. Than previously.
Women were assisted in childbirth in the late 19th century by family friends, or close relations, in Mary’s case it had always been her own mother, her practical experience in delivering children. Was seen as perfect,
But as her mother had died, Mary looked for another, to help. it was when her husband was told about, this Irish women, who had hands like the real Mary Magdalene, when his wife had lost 4 of her children in the last few days of her pregnancy, still born, when speaking to his vet, he was told about this Irish Doula, who worked at Donnington, and Ashby, his wife required assistance after all it was believed that she had delivered 650 children with only four recorded fatalities.
Her ability was highly valued. And although it was seen by some as a curse actually having to pay for her service, before hand, other than a small gift afterwards,
Husband Thomas, had been told about this community, who had attracted an experienced midwife (Doula) by offering a salary plus a house rent-free. And after meeting her, she had agreed to become there private midwife.
Thomas was so desperate for his wife he would do anything to help her with what was her last attempt, Anne must have felt sorry for Mary, because she agreed to travel the long distance by coach, This was to be the first time that Anne had left Ashby, since arriving there from Dublin. 10 years before. Although, she was fully booked to provide, her much sort after service. The village elders would be less than pleased if they had known. That she was in breech of her contract.
Thomas had collected, Anne for this private session, of 3 days,
After a 6 hour delivery, with Mary appearing to be in a trance, historians have come to the conclusion that she was some sort of hypnotist, what ever she did, Mary was out of pain, and the outcome was an astonishing response. Although we have to take this on trust for no one was allowed in the room, and Mary herself remembered nothing.
“Mary I can announce that you are the mother of not one healthy child but two. Beautiful Twin. Boys.”
By the time both of the children, had been cleaned Mary realized how lucky she was no one who she had known, could have handled the birth so well. in fact it made her sad when she thought, how unfortunate it had been for her previous still born, all 4 Girls, and she questioned if they could have also have survived, if they had been delivered by Anne.
It was the Irish nurse, with a matter of fact announcement.
“You should call these two Lads, Chalk and Cheese, for they are completely different in every way.
The first born had been recorded as 6 lb 10oz, an hour later his brother had been delivered weighing in at an enormous, 11 lb, the reason for the knick names was there complete difference, in looks and size, the first born was freckled with what would be ginger, hair, were his brother was darker in complexion, with black hair and dark brown eyes.
The children were seen as a gift, from God with just a little assistance from Anne,
During there formative years, they were both athletic, running jumping, what ever they were asked to attempt they succeeded. Charlie never made up the difference, in height, although he became very stocky, and a much stronger individual. Were as Chester was tall and thin, with hands like a girl.
The one thing that was clear from the start was that Charlie was to be his mothers favourite it may have been that he was the first born and as soon as he was placed in Mary’s arms, there was that extra bond that remained between mother and son, all his life. I am not saying that she did not love Chester as much, that would be a false statement, but as far as protection was concerned, there was never one day that went by without Mary calling out, to Chester.
“Keep your eyes on Charlie, watch what Charlie is doing, don’t let Charlie, climb that tree, or swim in that pool”. When they were in there teens it was there occupation’s that Mary seemed to attaché most importance. But even then, it was Charlie, who became the most important. In the eyes of both parents, as for Chester it was less important.
Even Thomas agreed that the boys should be given a much better opportunity than he had, trying to provide, for even this small family, from the proceeds of a small holding less than 50 acres, if it wasn’t, for extra work, he had to do, in other farms they would have starved. But at least they had good educations, and had thrived, Mary was adamant that there would be no late nights and early mornings as farmers, it would never be good enough for her two boys. She wanted them to follow her own father in a large City, perhaps in stock broking.
Although Mary was a staunch Catholic even she was surprised when Chester indicated that he wished to attend a religious school with a view to perhaps becoming a Catholic As for Charlie, he was an exceptional boy, head lad at King Edwards; everyone thought the world was his oyster. His Maths and English were so good that he was offered a place at the school itself, as a teacher, but inwardly he wanted to see the world. Before he settled down, that was before he met and fell in love, much to his mother’s disgust.
In 1914 with the boys now 18 they had left school and both had taken up apprentices, but there were a further shock, when Charles indicated that he wished to join the Cold stream Guards, Mary was distraught, even though it was believed that the start of WW1 would be over before Christmas, she was petrified that he would be injured or worse still killed. as for Chester, it was in complete reversal to his brother, for he was a firm believer in contentious objection, nothing should be killed, in fact he would tell anyone he spoke to that he was against all wars, to kill another human being, was contrary to his firm beliefs. And he spent hours explaining his belief to soldier boy Charles.
By the end of the year, both sons would be called on to test there interest, and followings, Charles was first joining the Cold stream Charles did his square bashing at Aldershot, with the 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division so when war broke out in August 1914. He just missed any involvement,
The early part of 1915s, however he was soon in the thick of the battles, With his mother distraught blaming Chester for failing to keep his word of brother protection, so in January 1915, Chester also joined, the Coldstream Guards, but demanding that it would not involve fighting, if he couldn’t be a religious, help then there were many options, from the rear, perhaps as a cook, not that his Commanding Officer took a great deal of notice, what he did see was a very tall and therefore strong man of over 6ft 4 inch, if he wasn’t going to shoot a gun, then he would be trained as to pick up the pieces, as a Stretcher Bearer, so he could be shot at, but never held a gun himself.
..
Although, Chester still held his firm anti killing opinions, he loved his mother so much, that he trained to be a driver of ambulances, and after showing much bravery, he was placed in charge of a 4 man, Stretcher Team. In France.
He had seen his brother Charles on a few occasions, and it was clear to him that Charles had changed, before he had gone over sea’s he had moved in with his girl friend, who was pregnant, soon to be a mother, this had changed, Charles outlook. In his eyes it was the protection of his family that was uppermost in his mind, he had entered the war wishing to see the world he was now gaunt, as if he had been to Hell and survived. And this only after 6 months.
On one of the occasions, the brothers had met, it was Charles who requested, that Chester would take care of some papers that he wanted his mother and young girl friend to receive if he was killed.
In April 22: Poison Gas was first used on the Western Front, in a German attack on Canadian troops at Despite the German plans to maintain the stalemate with the French and British, German commanders planned an offensive at the Belgian town of Ypres, which the British had first defended in November 1914. This Second Battle of Ypres was intended to divert attention from offensives in the Eastern Front while disrupting Franco-British planning and to test a new weapon: the second mass use of chemical weapons.
Charlie had been very lucky to miss an incident were Gas was delivered, only for the wind to change, gassing the British in turn.
It was here that the two boys were split up with Charles in the thick of the fighting, and Chester at the back picking up the injured. As a stretcher bearer. After the battles had died out.
There was nothing that could have trained Chester for what he was about to see, and administer, with his 4 men team, there duty was to wait until there was a lull in the relative battles before going into no mans land. To pick up. The injured, the dead were left behind, some berried, only a few feet under ground, the weather so bad that many drowned in the mud,
As for fairness there was no guarantee that a Red cross on a soldiers arm would stop them being attacked also.
Unlike the other three in Chester’s team, he wanted to spend a little time with the dying, administering a few words of comfort. However this was holding the team up from carrying out there prime duty of getting minor injured back to base to be patched up. on three occasions, there had been complains lodged with his Commanding Officer, Chester was told what his duty was, help those injured, but could fight again, if they were badly injured, and would not survive, to cover them up, and move on, there was no time for anything other than a glance the rules were explicit, if it was there opinion that a soldier was unlikely to survive, they had to be left to there own devices, after all every soldier had there own survival kit.
After a week, of seeing things only the devil could create, he was contemplating, deserting or perhaps killing himself.
As Chester’s team, approached a large shell hole there were a dozen soldiers who had been blown apart, whilst hiding from a previous attack. After a hurried examination it clear in there minds that they were all dead. All of them were dead, as Chester carried out a prayer for the deceased. He heard a whisper that appeared to come from below the bodies.
As his three comrades, moved on, with a firm demand, there was a sound that Chester could never miss it was a cry “Chester”
Dashing back to the Hole, Chester could see an arm, gently moving from one of the seriously injured soldier, God it is Charles he cried.
Moving one of the dead bodies away, there was Charles, seriously injured but still alive. Seeing the injury, it was clear that his brother was dyeing.
Chester administer a morphine injection to relieve the pain even though his comrades, where shouting for him to come away. And retreat.
Chester was having none of it, by now he had examined his brother, and couldnt see he had lost his right leg, as high as his hip. Charles had managed to place a tourniquet to stem the bleeding but it had only been a slight, help. There was blood every were,
There was also a bullet that had passed through his chest even Chester realized that he had only a short amount of time before he would die.
Still Chester refused to budge, kissing his brother gently on his cheek, talking about there mother, father, and there home, Chester wanted to say all the things that he had failed to discuss in the past.
How much he loved his brother,
The most vehement of the group. Demanded that they retreat back to camp. If not Cheater would be reported for deserting his post. And refusing to take an order, after all there was a sergeant, in charge, and Chester was bound to do what he was told.
Still he refused to budge, still rocking his brother, ignoring every thing around, his own team and the bullets from the German infantry.
After a lull in the battle, Chester looked around he was on his own, his brother had minutes left,
“Chester if you look in my pocket you will see letters to mother and Ivy the mother of my little girl. Charlotte.
“She will need help and if you survive this Hell. Will you promise that you will take her under your wing, and also offer Ivy some advice, for they will both require it?
As for mother please tell her that I am sorry, to leave her without telling her of my love and affection.”
“And you chez, no one could have had such a loving brother, I can only hope that your God, can explain, how he had allowed this to take place.”
With that, Charles was no more. Having died, a terrible death,
Already Chester had began to doubt his religious, thoughts, even before he had watched his brother die, he had now decided that his belief, would require a revisit.
Still Chester refused to move, in fact staying a further hour, and having berried his brother 8 ft under ground, but not before sketching out a rough diagram, of the area and was the grave could be found, in future.
Back at the guards camp. Already a team were out looking for Chester for he had been marked as a deserter, and therefore under arrest.
When he was found still in no mans land administering some affection to other seriously injured, soldiers, doing what he could in there last minutes.
Your under arrest, Soldier, came from a regimental. Policemen,
Chester roared in disgust,
It took over 4 men to physically restrain Chester and take him back to the camp and the prison that already held a dozen fellow deserters.
Charged with desertion, Chester knew their king and country expected them to fight to the death. Such was the expectation of their military commanders, their political leaders and even their loved ones that there was no question that if mortal danger came, they should face it like men. It was the only way for good to triumph over evil.
Chester was no fool. He did not believe that he had deserted only having carried some loving compation to a family member, moments from his death.
His statement in defence of the charge was written by himself he required none to help. If he was found guilty then so be it, he knew that he would be shot. Chester also knew that many soldiers, were dying of shock, many were driven insane and several simply ran away. Not because they did not wish to fight, they were unable to do so.
But the army could no more afford to carry cowards than it could traitors, and many of those who did flee faced instant retribution with a court martial and death by firing squad.
In the morning there were three such cowards, including Chester, however, it was decided that he should at least be given a chance to answer the charge, for when it was reported that it was his brother who he had had stayed to administer his last, last moments as a roman catholic deserved,
This was a dangerous subject one that his leaders did not with to have aired at this moment.
However someone in the senior service, had come to the conclusion that to shoot him was a very dangerous precedent in the circumstances so Chester was reprieved and sent back to Sheffield suffering with a non diagnosed problem.
The commanding Officer of his unit, was not as bright, as he should have been, A lesser charge, was trumped up. And for over 2 years nothing was heard of the brother, it is believed that a caring Vicar, who was a friend, managed to get him a job, in charge of the hospital morgue,
He had become a changed man a heavy drinker, who would fight, anyone at the drop of a hat, and could he fight, he was also a firm atheist. Actually telling every one who me met, of his new thoughts, having seen first hand, the caring nature of his previous redeemer.
After the war was over, Chester was sent back to his home town, were what had happened to him, had been printed in the local rag, every one was to be told that he had deserted,
Nothing was mentioned about, the reason for protecting his brother but the way he had just missed being shot by less than a hour, seemed to be in the public interest, more than, him being a loving brother, carrying out what he had promised his other. Before he left for France. It was left to the public to come to the conclusion if he had been fortunate, not to be shot as a coward, or not. And sadly every one even his mother came firmly on the side of Kings Regulations.
Even his mother could not forgive him, for him to having survived the war without his brother was sacrilege in her eyes, so although Chester was allowed to stay at the farm for a month or two his mother hardly spoke a word to him…
It was at this time that whilst looking through some of his equipment he found the letters that Charlie had given him to be delivered, if he managed to survive, the war.
This was the time that Chester decided to run away again, leaving the notes in a large envelope, along with his own letter to his parents explaining what had happened, and not what the news papers had printed.
On the way back to the city centre of Birmingham Chester dropped in to see Ivy Charles Girl friend,
Chester was distraught to see the poverty that she and a very young little girl were living in, it was the back room, of her parents, home that in its self was a slum,
Ivy fortunately was a labourer in a factory, the wages just enough to stop the pair, visiting the poor house,
As Chester had a few £s that he had saved, from his period in Sheffield, he gave it all to his sister in law, (Not quite correct) and walked the 25 miles to the Birmingham City Centre, were no one knew him or his history.
After all the War was over, there was work about, one of the first places he saw was a Billiards Hall in new street, it was full of players, and for coppers, you could take a table, to play on there were also many people prepared to play with a stranger certainly if there was a bet, or gamble involved.
What many did not realize was that there had been a billiards table in the Sheffield Infirmary, and after 2 years Chester had become a very good player.
After watching a few games, Chester was befriended by a local. From Bordsley Small Heath, a gypsy like person, with a softly spoken voice,
After a few games he told Chester that he was prepared to support him, in a few games against, others, but Chester would have to lose a few games to get him a handicap.
One thing that Chester had not become accustomed to was Gambling for anything other than coppers, in the next few weeks, this man called William Kimber, was to become his backer, telling him when to play to win and when to lose…
Although Chester spent the first two weeks sleeping under one of the tables it wasn’t long before, he had his own flat, only a few doors from the Hall.
A further bit of advice that Mr Kimberly gave to Chester was how to control his drinking habit, one that would clearly affect his gambling success.
Kimber was more than a backer of Billiards stars, he was in fact the leader of Birmingham’s racecourse Gang known as the Brummies, and they controlled almost every racecourse in the country,
What they were other than organised criminals, they were a team of extortionists, charging racecourse Bookmakers a fee, to be allowed to operate.
Horseracing and greyhound racing as well as trotting and Pony racing was thriving, racecourses were full of those looking for a gambling experience. With Gambling banned, in the high streets, only those with a credit account or those prepared to visit a track could take part.
One night at the Billiard Hall, Chester was playing a game for the most amazing stake of £200… The best of 5 games,
Although Chester was by far, the better player, he was instructed to lose the first two games, and win the next three, the overall gambling that took place on this game was enormous with over a hundred, watching, as well as supporting there selection..
The amount of interest that was generated, gave many confidence to support jack Wilde, Chester’s opponent.
When the betting was 1/10. Wilde, only Kimber was betting on Chester, and must have had a massive liability. If Wilde won.
In the thirst game, a team of hooligans known as the Loonies, began, supporting Wilde, having taken an opinion that he was a certainty,
When Chester won the third game, and the forth, making it 2 each, on of the leaders in the Loonies, realized he had been duped during the last game he jumped on the table and urinated all over the green baize, kicking the balls off the table.
A fully fledge battle took place, between Kimbers supporters, the Brummies and the Loonies. Knives and razors, were every were, at one time over 50 villains were fighting toe to toe.
The green of the table was red with the amount of blood. And guts.
Kimber himself personally had remained, aloof from the battle leaving it to his minders, all of them ex boxers, and although they were out numbered, there was a lull in proceedings, were Kimber, and an Irish man called McCoy, called a truce.
The Irish man was content to call all bets off, and even though it was still 2 games each, there was an opinion, that Chester was only slightly favourite.
Kimber as brave as a lion, stood as tall as his 5ft 5 inch allowed, and gave his opinion that the game should continue with all bets to stand.
It took 30 minutes to clear the table and continue with the final game, Chester knew what was required, only moving to there front, when the score was 95, best to 100.
It was then that fair minded gamblers would believe that it was a very fair and open game,
But still McCoy knew they had been conned, for Chester was a much more superior player.
As the last point was gained with Chester the Winner, The Irishman drew out of his pocket, a knife two feet long, at the same time to very big, and villains, held the arms of Kimber in a lock.
Every one moved away from the table scarred stiff what was about to take place, only Kimber seemed calm. And it was he who had his life, in balance.
At that moment, only the two players were within striking distance,
At this moment Wilde the losing player, began to rant and rave, telling every one what he was about to do. Pointing to his apponent, who hadnt said a word, telling him, that he would be first.
In the next few seconds, there was an incident that was still being discussed on all British racecourses, for the next 50 years.
Chester, must have seen blood, for with one blow he struck, Wilde, between his eyes, knocking him out, the two blows of his cue, sent the two Loonies, including McCoy, to the floor ending what could have been a serious battle.
No one had been accounting for Chester, as part of the fight, and every one was taken by shock.
Even Kimber, who was tantamount to a British equivalent to a mafia Leader. Was stunned.
The next day, Kimber was to make Chester an offer that would in the next 2 years make him a wealthy man, for he would become, the leading player, in British racecourse extortion. Nothing heavy, for all of the British Bookmakers knew the agreement, and how much they had to pay every day for there protection. This was with the changes there were about to take place with the arrival of a 6 unit Italian Family. known as the Sabine’s, one that would tilt, the whole of British Horseracing as well as a slice of Greyhound and trotting events, into the hands of organised crime for 5 years, this battle took place everywhere from Cardiff, Bath, Epsom, and Brighton as well as many Trots and Pony racing, even Wands worth, greyhound stadium produce a stabbing over a Bookmaker pitch. All brought to every ones attention with the making of the film Brighton Rock. But it was the government that demanded a call for order, when it was indicated that there would be a Tote monopoly if these racecourse battles failed to be brought to a halt. It was then, that Bookmakers and there supporters, saw the light, but it would take many more lives and prisons full of those desperate to take over horseracing.
It would be the formation of a Bookmakers trade association, and affiliate groups all over Britain, before order was commenced.
Chapter Two.
A Battle Royal.
Frank was a little like you, no Clark Gable http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhoc49k9XvJngpr9rliZE7NnvsiAJwf2o8fhWED4xbb-sfZrGT0Q