Feel the 'A' Roll

What!!!!? I was a young child. What possible person would consider I was old enough to have fought in a war? Given my background, a young Caucasian child, raised in a country somewhat isolated from the rest of the world, which at that time was not involved in any major conflict. I was seriously starting to doubt this doctor's abilities. The closest I had ever been to a war was sitting in the very front row at the Regency cinema, watching that wonderful boys own version of the battle of 'Rorkes Drift' in the film 'Zulu' (starring Stanley Baker, Michael Cain, and an ensemble cast of some of Britain's greatest). And admittedly sitting in the front row of a cinema with 5000 rushing Zulu warriors tearing towards you was terrifying to a young child, but not something that would result in this sort of injury. The worst injury I could have received was from being struck by a swinging arm from one of my brothers as in their excitement, they may have suddenly offered to point out one warrior deserving of the attention of one the the gallant British riflemen. I still rate this film as a terrific example of A: The classic period of Post War English film production (Yes, I know it was made in 1964.... That was still post war) B: The massive faults of the British Empire, yet, most of all, C: The great example of the type of English fortitude and courage, we had grown up hearing about from our Mother.

As far as historical accuracy goes, it is as accurate as any other true story made into film. Someone made a story about something and someone made it into a film. If, as they say history is written by the winners.... Then alternative versions may simply take a few years to be given a fair hearing. Imagine the short time in the future, when someone wants to write a true story about something? Given today's apparent inexhaustible recording of every moment of people's lives, they will have more information to go through than ever before. Imagine sorting through that information to locate the exact comments and phrases that people uttered. It may just be easier to edit the actual footage into a more viewer friendly format, than to re-film it with actors, if anyone ever considers true story films.

But I was still pinning a lot of hope on the diagnosis of the doctor in relation to my injuries. Would he see the potential life scarring I was to be faced with. Would he at least with his greater medical skills explain to my casually worried mother and her cohort, the laughing nurse, the true level of crucial information of the actual physical damage my body had suffered in this latest of accidents. I lay back, the eyes closed in weariness. My limbs slack with the weight of the pain. The doctor's voice settled as he moved a torch (I could see the change in light through my closed eyelids) across my damaged visage. I heard him intake through slightly clenched teeth as he obviously observed the real injuries I was suffering.
(Continued tomorrow)