Banning High School - San Gorgonian Yearbook (Banning, CA)

Page 33 text:

“Why! good morning, teacher dear,” he said in the most sar- castic voice I ever heard. “Come right along and enjoy yourself. Here’s a broom and a shovel and a chance for a man with brains to distinquish himself. Now get busy and don’t let that broom handle get too hot.” My blood just boiled, but I dared not say anything back. Every day “Corporal Walch” was on hand to put in a few re- marks about men with brains. At last our longed for moment of departure arrived and we boarded a train ‘en route tor Camp Merritt. We were here one day and then took the transport for Brest. I was on K. P. the first day and spent the next two on deck feeling rather queer. You're expecting me to say something about our seven months’ sojourn in France, but all I’m going to say is “Sherman was right.” Five days after the armistice we started for the Brest mud hole in our side door Pullmans, loaded down with souvenirs. After slushing around in the mud for a week we boarded the Leviathan which brought us back to “God’s country.” After being run through the “decootieyer” we went on pass to New York. On Boy! New York opened her arms to us and we were “some pun- kins.” A week later we were sent to the Presidio where I received my discharge, In less than no time I was on a train “homeward bound.” Dad was at the station to meet me and I never felt so happy in all my life as when I arrived home and saw my mother. That night I took the machine and drove to a certain little girl’s house out on Pico Heights. I had not heard from her for over two months as we had been moving around so much, so I was anxious to see her. PAGE TWENTY

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“Well then, I’ll put you in the Coast artillery,” he said. “But, my dear sir,” I protested, “My brother and I wish to be in a machine gun company.” “Well, you’re transferred,” was his gruff reply. “There is a bunch of recruits leaving tonight for Fort McArthur, you will go with them.” “Corporal,” he said, turning to a soldier near by, “take this recruit to the Q. M., get him fitted out with a uniform, then turn him over to Lt. Brown in charge of the recruits. The next day found me on a train with a group of other re- eruits en route for Fort McArthur, California. We all had illt- fitting uniforms, but mine seemed to be the worst one of the en- tire lot. Four days later we arrived at Fort McArthur and then my troubles began; I went through the tortures of arill movements, I did right shoulder arms until my shoulders were black and blue, I was “bawled out’ for not saluting several times. But at last I graduated from the awkward squad. I was then put in a regular company, given foot locker, reissued a decent looking uni- form and commenced to be a “regular soldier.” I now belonged to the Second Company C. A. C, and spent most of my time drill- ing, doing “K. P.” guard duty, play ing blackjack and shooting craps. One morning at reveille the captain informed us that a new batallion was to be formed for immediate service in France. Gum- ners, truck drivers, and motorcycle riders were wanted. My heart jumped at the last, as I had been a motorcycle enthusiast all of my life at home. I applied for a transfer and the next day my name was among the men who had been transferred to Battery D. Believe me, I was a happy soldier as I carried my equipment, bunk and loeker over to our new barracks. After straighteniny up my stuff I was enjoying a peaceful rest on my bunk when « little “sawed off’? corporal stuck his head in the door yelling, “Wverybody outside to police up around quarters.” At the sound of his voice I sat straight up on my bunk and saw Farmer Walch’s boy, or rather I should say “Corporal Walch.” PAGE NINETEEN

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At last I reached her house, rang the door bell and in a very few miutes she opened the door. There she was, even more beat- tiful than when I had seen her last two years before. “Why, Harry, come right in, I’m so glad to see you. Wait here just a second. I want you to meet my husband,” so saying, she turned and ran into the next room. “Her husband!” My scattered thoughts gradually collected themselves and I fled before she returned. Dad got me a job in the P. E. shops, but when we struck 1 lost out. So, I’m looking for another job. PAGE TWENTY-ONE O