Words of Command (Hervey 12) (Matthew Hervey) by Allan Mallinson Page A
Authors: Allan Mallinson
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years of peace and war: ‘“The Regimental Serjeant-Major, being the senior-most of the non-commissioned ranks, and forming, as he does, the link between the non-commissioned officers and the officers, and in the legitimate position for advancement, is placed in a position of great importance and responsibility; he should at all times be devotedly zealous for the reputation of the regiment, and immediately report to the adjutant when its discipline or good order is at all affected, or likely to be so by any individual; and never permit the existence of any improper familiarity towards him on the part of his inferiors.”’
‘“Devotedly zealous”; that’s a fine thing.’
‘Indeed. But let me finish: “On him, in a great measure, depends the general smartness of the regiment; he must be a perfect master of all drills, instructing every recruit most perfectly in all his exercises, et cetera, before he dismisses him; and he is never, upon any account, to pass over anything he may observe unsoldierlike in any man belonging to the regiment. He must be an example by his activity, soldierlike conduct, and dress, and must instantly correct any irregularity, want of spirit, or exertion, he may observe in the non-commissioned officers of the regiment.”’
‘And to all that must be added “an unfailing belief in his colonel”.’
Hervey frowned. ‘That cannot be required of a man. Loyalty is deserved by rank and appointment – that is sure. But respect, belief … that can only be earned. Besides, in adhering to that which I have just read, a sar’nt-major acts with confidence in the system of which the lieutenant-colonel is a part. The system, like the much-vaunted constitution of our American cousins, is one of checks and balances.’
Fairbrother smiled. ‘I don’t doubt it, though I maintain yet that there must exist some special feeling between the two, else it is otherwise merely a contractual sort of business.’
Hervey nodded conditionally. ‘If I understand you correctly, you are saying that a regiment will be better found when the lieutenant-colonel and sar’nt-major enjoy a particular mutual regard. Of that there can be no doubt. It does not, however, assist in my choice of men, for each would answer – or rather, both Armstrong and Collins would.’
If Fairbrother had any further opinion on the matter it was stayed by the return of the parlour-maid, with a steaming tureen, and a second girl with a plate of warm bread.
‘Soup, sir? An’ Mr Ellis is coming with wine.’
Hervey smiled his thanks. She was indeed a handsome girl, and might pass for quality if she were mute and rightly got up. And she wished to please, which was ever appealing. There was something so agreeable in female company at this time, when the business of the day was done and … He recollected himself. ‘Thank you …?’
‘Annie, sir.’
‘Thank you, Annie. We shall serve ourselves.’
They bobbed and made to leave, and the landlord came with two bottles. ‘Good evening, gentlemen. I’ve presumed to bring burgundy, if that’s to your liking? I thought as you mayn’t prefer the white with your soup and fish at this time of year.’
Hervey nodded. It was a peculiar presumption, for he had not known these things to be regulated by the seasons so, but he was not fastidious when it came to wine (Fairbrother had enough fastidiousness for both of them). ‘Perhaps you’ll be so good as to decant it.’
The landlord had anticipated the request, with two plain decanters brought by a potboy. ‘And everything else is to your satisfaction, sir?’
‘It is indeed. Your arrangements are most excellent, Mr Ellis. I think we shall be in no hurry to quit them.’
‘The rooms are at your disposal, sir,’ replied the landlord, backing his way to the door, and closing it behind him.
‘I think he took me at first for your valet,’ said Fairbrother when he was gone.
Hervey smiled. ‘A very
gentlemanlike
valet.’
‘I do
‘“Devotedly zealous”; that’s a fine thing.’
‘Indeed. But let me finish: “On him, in a great measure, depends the general smartness of the regiment; he must be a perfect master of all drills, instructing every recruit most perfectly in all his exercises, et cetera, before he dismisses him; and he is never, upon any account, to pass over anything he may observe unsoldierlike in any man belonging to the regiment. He must be an example by his activity, soldierlike conduct, and dress, and must instantly correct any irregularity, want of spirit, or exertion, he may observe in the non-commissioned officers of the regiment.”’
‘And to all that must be added “an unfailing belief in his colonel”.’
Hervey frowned. ‘That cannot be required of a man. Loyalty is deserved by rank and appointment – that is sure. But respect, belief … that can only be earned. Besides, in adhering to that which I have just read, a sar’nt-major acts with confidence in the system of which the lieutenant-colonel is a part. The system, like the much-vaunted constitution of our American cousins, is one of checks and balances.’
Fairbrother smiled. ‘I don’t doubt it, though I maintain yet that there must exist some special feeling between the two, else it is otherwise merely a contractual sort of business.’
Hervey nodded conditionally. ‘If I understand you correctly, you are saying that a regiment will be better found when the lieutenant-colonel and sar’nt-major enjoy a particular mutual regard. Of that there can be no doubt. It does not, however, assist in my choice of men, for each would answer – or rather, both Armstrong and Collins would.’
If Fairbrother had any further opinion on the matter it was stayed by the return of the parlour-maid, with a steaming tureen, and a second girl with a plate of warm bread.
‘Soup, sir? An’ Mr Ellis is coming with wine.’
Hervey smiled his thanks. She was indeed a handsome girl, and might pass for quality if she were mute and rightly got up. And she wished to please, which was ever appealing. There was something so agreeable in female company at this time, when the business of the day was done and … He recollected himself. ‘Thank you …?’
‘Annie, sir.’
‘Thank you, Annie. We shall serve ourselves.’
They bobbed and made to leave, and the landlord came with two bottles. ‘Good evening, gentlemen. I’ve presumed to bring burgundy, if that’s to your liking? I thought as you mayn’t prefer the white with your soup and fish at this time of year.’
Hervey nodded. It was a peculiar presumption, for he had not known these things to be regulated by the seasons so, but he was not fastidious when it came to wine (Fairbrother had enough fastidiousness for both of them). ‘Perhaps you’ll be so good as to decant it.’
The landlord had anticipated the request, with two plain decanters brought by a potboy. ‘And everything else is to your satisfaction, sir?’
‘It is indeed. Your arrangements are most excellent, Mr Ellis. I think we shall be in no hurry to quit them.’
‘The rooms are at your disposal, sir,’ replied the landlord, backing his way to the door, and closing it behind him.
‘I think he took me at first for your valet,’ said Fairbrother when he was gone.
Hervey smiled. ‘A very
gentlemanlike
valet.’
‘I do
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