Jack comes home
- Jen Parihar
- Mar 21
- 9 min read
HOME
January 1932 Dundee
Mary Ann had taken the laddies over to Annie’s and Kate was in her kitchen at Alpin Tce, Dundee. All the ingredients were laid out for the soup she was making. She had the flour and the butter ready for the pastry. She was making savoury sausage rolls, and two bright green sharp apples were to be peeled and chopped, sweetened with sugar, and made into an apple tart. Jack had sent extra money in a draft from Calcutta for over Christmas and Kate was making a special tea for her sisters.
Times were hard for most folks in Dundee. Kate was proud that Jack was off earning money which meant a more comfortable life for her and Harry and Young Jack. Kate was generous with what she had and Mary Ann and Annie welcomed the treats, and in return were a loving support for Kate and her family. Mary Ann was to walk back with Annie and her bairns by 3.30pm - It was already a grey day and it seemed as if darkness hung over the city all throughout the day, winter still had it’s grip and snow was forecast for later in the week.
Kate’s mind was anxious, it had been over 3 years since Jack had left, and
her longing to see him again occupied her every day. She knew he hoped to be re-engaged by Ludlow Jute Company and only then would he get home leave. If not re-engaged he would be coming home anyway. And Kate did not really care which scenario would bring Jack home. She just wanted to have him at home with her and the boys.
At Calcutta
When Mr Bryars sent a note with the peon to Jack who was busy in Mill No 1, Jack was expecting it.
‘What will be, will be’, Jack told himself as he set aside the charts of jute quality monitoring, and washed his hands in the small sink at the foot of the mill stairwell. Deep down, he hoped to be re-engaged, he hoped his contract would be extended for at least the next 3 years. He felt it would be the best situation for the family, especially Harry and Young Jack. Harry even at this young age wanted to study, and to send him to university would be impossible if Jack had to find work in Dundee. And Young Jack, too young to know what he would be, but according to Kate he had a sharp mind and was a quick learner.
Of course he missed them, missed Kate, missed his beloved Scotland, but every day he was inspired with this land. He felt part of a team here at Ludlow and enjoyed working with the Americans and his Indian men who had taught him so much about new cultures and beliefs. ‘Goodness knows what I will do back in Dundee’, he thought, but he had always pushed that thought to one side. He would consider his options if he was not re engaged, but until then he was fully focused on his role with Ludlow.
It was a Tuesday and Jack had enjoyed the New Year Celebrations held over the previous few days, welcoming in 1932.
The evening before, he had gone from the mill with Hal Gunning and Tom Brittin up to Calcutta town by car for dinner. They had met two other friends, along with Mr and Mr Wallace at the Great Eastern Hotel. The Dinner Menu was still the celebratory New Year specials, and the happy group finished the dinner with ‘burrah pegs’ to toast each others health for the year ahead.
‘Jack, I will be damned if you are not re-engaged’, said Gunning, his loud American voice heard by the next table. ‘Mind your language Gunning’, said Jack, mindful that Mrs Wallace was present.
At which point one of the guests at that table, a Mr Leonard from London, leant over and joined in the chat
‘Nothing to go back to old Blighty for - I was on home leave last November and boy it seemed dismal. Good luck to you sir!! I hope to see you back here again, nothing much to go back home for in my book!’
Jack didn’t disagree with Mr Leonard, what would he do back in Dundee?
Paying the bill, the happy group left the hotel and walked the short distance to the Ordinance Club where a local Amateur group were showing the Pantomime of Cinderella. Jack put to one side the thoughts of whether any time soon he would be on his way home to Scotland for good and enjoyed the merriment and humour of the show.
Jack is called for a meeting
The Office was blissfully cool compared with the Mill, and although it was January, the temperature was unusually hot for this time of year. Bryars looked up from his desk at Jack’s knock on the door, and beckoned Jack to sit down. He was a man who really filled the space. 6ft 3 inches and with hands like shovels, and such a presence. With a thick thatch of golden hair , the sun had given him a golden glow and he was attractive, especially to some of the Memsahibs Jack had observed. He had high standards but was fair and very much liked Jack’s integrity and attention to detail.
The peon brought in a glass of cool water for Jack and Bryars, and once he had left the room Bryars handed Jack a letter. A crisp white page, with the familiar emblem of Ludlow embossed in Green on the back.
‘Jack, I am pleased to tell you that you have been re-engaged for a further 3 years, and I very much hope you will accept the offer. You will receive an uplift in salary, once you are back from home leave which Head office have granted’' delivered Bryars in his slow but strong American accent.
Jack was over the moon. So pleased. Pleased he would continue his career with Ludlow, and overjoyed that he was granted home leave.
‘Start to make plans for your voyage home Jack, and be ready to start again in August’, said Bryars.
‘August?’ questioned Jack. Home leave was normally three months, unless you were Senior Management.
‘Yes Jack, August. You have been one of our most diligent men, and I have had authorised this extended leave for you, we want you back Jack, and if allowing you a few extra months at home helps your decision, then so be it’.
Jack walked back into the January sunshine of Chengail his heart full of gratitude. Full of excitement. Full of refreshed purpose.
Immediately he arranged the telegram to Kate -
‘Home Leave granted. Re-engagement confirmed.
Voyage home TBA’.
A Telegram
The telegram arrived for Kate on the 5th January, 1932.
With floury hands which she wiped on her apron, Kate took the telegram from the messenger. This was one telegram she would not wait until evening to read as was her habit with Jack’s letters. Opening it with trepidation, the relief mixed with joy when she read the news caused her heart to skip a beat and beat much too fast all at once. ‘Oh My Lord. Thank you. My prayers have been answered. Jack’s coming home!’.
With a song in her heart, she carried on with her cooking, her mind a whirl with what needed to be arranged. Jack had never seen this new house, and she was so happy for him to see what a comfortable home she had made. What would she make for his first meal at home? But most of all how proud she was to show how well grown and well behaved the laddies were. She wondered whether she should wait until she was on her own with the Harry and Young Jack later that evening, wait until Annie and Mary Ann had gone home before she would explain to them that their Daddy was coming home. But as soon as her sisters arrived, she could not contain her joy and told everyone right away.
Anyone looking in through the window at 32 Alpin Tce would have seen through the evening lamplight, a happy family, sharing the excitement of their much loved Jack coming home.
Travelling Home
Back in Calcutta Jack heard that he would set sail for home on the 30th January, on the SS Commorin. He took the company car up to Calcutta to buy a new suitcase. He would fill his trunk that he had arrived in Calcutta with , and the new suitcase with things for Kate and the laddies. Gifts for Annie and Mary, and not forgetting Sadie. He smiled as he thought about Sadie, Kate's 3rd sister, and involuntarily shook his head, wondering how she could be so different to her three sisters. ‘Wherever there be trouble, Sadie is not far behind it’.
After buying the suitcase Jack walked down Chowringhee to Flurry’s where he was to meet his great friend Stanley. He had yet to tell him of his home leave, and in fact he had yet to even tell his friend and house mate Premchand. He was ushered to a corner table in Flurry’s, and was glad to have a good fifteen minutes before Stanley would arrive. He took a notebook from his bag and a pencil from his shirt pocket and started to write down what he needed to do before departing for Dundee.
Check insurance up to date.
Enquire as to how passage home would be paid.
What could be left in rooms at his Compund Bungalow
Who would take over position and would a handover be needed
List of family and friends to take gifts for.
There was Aunt Nannie, Uncle Alex, Molly, Annie, Mary Ann, the McCormacks, Mary Derby who was (Kate’s bridesmaid), and not forgetting Reverend Minister.
But there was one name, one person that Jack could not write down. He was in Jack’s mind, his heart, always in his thoughts. It had been two year since young Chay had been killed. It did not seem to Jack that upon his return, his youngest and sweetest brother would not be there to greet him. Perhaps those at home had gotten a little bit used to his absence. But for Jack, the absence was going to be so new to him once he was back in Dundee.
‘How could such thing have happened?’ Jack thought, his eyes misting over, as he puzzled over how such a tragedy had befallen them. He felt angry towards the driver who had caused the collision. A morning of reckless decisions had caused a young man his life. A young brother, a young husband and a dear father to two young children.
Jack had spent the afternoon before he left for India in 1928 with Chay. They had met up in the morning and walked together through Balgay Park. It was a misty and cold morning, and the two brothers could not see so far ahead of them. Chay had young Betty, a two year old lass, with straight black shiny hair. She reminded Jack of the young sister lost to all the brothers when she was only 18 months old, back in 1911. Betty would be joined another 6 months later by a brother who would be named Douglas. Jack never had the chance to meet his nephew yet.
“Jack, When you come back from India bring me some cigars. Some really good cigars. What a treat that would be’.
“You are top of the list Chay’, said Jack. ‘Cigars will be sourced for you, but in the meantime, look after Lizzie and Betty. Kate has her sisters, so you don’t need to worry about her’.
And so Jack would keep his promise. As well as all the gifts he had listed, he would bring back the cigars for Chay. For Chay’s memory.
Jack was glad when Stanley arrived and he could close his saddened mind to his memories of Chay. Stanley was a pleased for Jack when he heard about the home leave, and Jack need not have worried about telling Premchand. By the time he got back to Ludlow late that afternoon, Premchand already knew. The ‘Mill Whispers’ had shared the news.
Jack was met at Kings Cross station by his brother Henry.
‘Oh Jack, it is wonderful to see you, just wonderful’, said Henry. Henry had left Dundee in 1928. Like Jack he did not see his future in Dundee and had taken his chance in London. With his wife Lil, an attractive, elegant women, but someone who never stopped talking, and their baby
daughter Margarete they all enjoyed tea together.
‘So you are going back to India Jack’ said Lil
‘Yes’ Jack replied, ‘But I am not even thinking about that Lil’, replied Jack ‘I’m home for some time and that is all in my mind.’
‘Maybe Kate would like another baby’, said Lil
‘Oh Lil, keep quiet now dear, keep quiet’, said Henry his face somewhat red.
After a pleasant meal, and plenty of other family talk, Henry saw Jack off at Kings Cross station, where Jack now well and truly felt he was almost home.
14th February 1932
A cheery welcome party met a much missed Daddy, Uncle, Brother in law and brother at Dundee Railway station. Mary Ann had brought Harry and Young Jack who had made a ‘Welcome Home Daddy’ banner which Harry waved furiously as the train approached the station. Mary Ann’s daughter Molly was thrilled to see her much loved uncle, and Alex was proud to welcome his brother back home.
Kate had decided she would not greet Jack at the station, waiting at Alpin Tce, to welcome her Jack. Wlcome Jack home.
Based on the true life diaries of Jack Mennie