Please welcome
Mr. James Whitehead
who will serve in 3rd Battalion, 1st KGL Brigade, 2nd UK Infantry Div., II Corps
The noise was flooding out of the tavern as the two men opened the door; noise of lots of talking, laughter, music and glasses clashing at each other. The men were dressed in uniforms of the King´s German Legion, an officer and a young ensign.
The elder man walked to the bar, followed by the ensign. He took an empty glass and bumped it on the bar three times.
As the noise got lower he said: “Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce a new ensign, who has joined the King´s German Legion. We are proud to welcome Mr. James “Jim” Whitehead who will serve in our division.
This young man, who already knows what courage is, will soon learn what fear is – as he will read it in the eyes of the French when they stand face to face with him. This young man who already knows what discipline is, will soon learn what panic and disorder do to a unit – when he will see the French lines breaking as our columns coming closer. This young man, who already knows what …”
With a side view the officer caught a look of Major General Mark Jones, the commander of the Hanoverian brigade. A look clearly indicating the upcoming storm, as the commander was sitting at his table with an empty glass on it.
“… well, enough of words. Helga, please be so kind and make sure everyone gets his drink so we can raise our glasses to welcome the new ensign.”
Then he turned to the young man beside him: “This evening the drinks are on you, Mr. Whitehead.
Gentlemen, for King and Country!” shouting the last words the officer raised his glass while the noise in the tavern grew loud, flooding out into the night.
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