Desert storm had been going for quite a while.
The skud rockets were temporarily deafening
to his ears.
Corperal Joe marshall gazed yet again across the desert.
Although no breeze was apparent in the distance the signs of a sandstorm appeared to be brewing.
Usualy the skies were darkened; they were however clear blue.
He began to wonder how much longer they would be in Iraq.
How many more lives would be lost/
He was in sandaled feet, had taken off his well worn work boots;
off duty for a while. If you could call it that, in this no mans land.
Unacustomed to the sand, it was hot between his toes...
As he shook off the sand, something was there in the sand...
He bent to pick it up glinting brightly in the sun.
As he dusted off the sand he saw to his amazement it was a compass
It was really quite a handsomme piece..
He saw the makers name was his very home town...
He wondered how it had ever got there...
No ships in this sea of sand.
Half buried memories came flooding in...
His father showing him the Naval museum in Hull.
All the family had somehow been connected with the sea.
Tried to encourage him in a naval career..
They weren't too thrilled when he chose the army instead.
'Never been any in the ARMY in our family 'boy oh'
Well it kind of found him really..
He had gone to a job and trade fair. He just sort of got pushed
hand on shoulder in the general direction of an army display
including a tank....
Sat him down and before he knew it was signing up!
One of his mates who had been on the dole for what seemed years
said how envious he was that he had made it to the army!
After a stint in Northern Ireland he had got on quite quickly.
Now here in the battle for Kuwait.....
Now, how much he wished he could jump on a bus any bus
really head for the familiar sights, sounds.. hoardings advertising
the luxouries of life now tumbling in!
He carefully placed the little compass in his flak jacket..
Knowing that soon he would be on another round of duty with his men....
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