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CHAPTER 3 Part 6: England Expects More....

SIX

It was still early for Moore's appointment with the First Lord, so they passed a few short minutes in admiral's gossip: senior command assignments and the general conduct of the war.

A quick knock was followed by a Captain opening the door and briskly standing aside as a certain Admiral of the Fleet entered, followed by the First Lord, Mr. Arthur Balfour, and an aide in naval uniform with an unusually heavy top hamper of braid. The unexpected visitor brought Admiral Jackson to his feet, and Vice Admiral Moore made to rise form his wheelchair.

“Remain seated, please.” A pause as a hand was held outward to reinforce the command. “I insist.”

“Your Majesty. Thank you.” Moore responded.

“Your Majesty.”

“Admiral Moore I heard that Mr. Balfour was meeting with you today and invited myself along to see how you are doing in your convalescence.”

“Very well, sir. Thank you for enquiring.”

“Whether you like it or not you are both a popular and a very real hero, and so it is my responsibility to ensure that you are doing well and have everything you need. When we met a month and a half ago you were barely sitting up long enough to eat a reasonable meal. It is good to see you doing so well now. I also heard of the job you have taken on, voluntarily I might add, and am here to express to you my utmost support.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“No thanks required, Admiral Moore. I have routine briefings with the Prime Minister, and I am aware of the dramatic increase in shipping losses. Within these walls I can say that right now you have one of the most important tasks in the British Empire. I know that Admiral Jackson and Mr. Balfour are extending all the assistance they can, even as they continue to pursue other avenues with other pieces of the RN. But, you are the one without any other basic responsibility to distract you. I know that you have a staff of very clever and creative men, but there is one thing I can add which should help to open doors where even Mr. Asquith's edict of similar nature may not reach.

“My equerry has the documentation. This is to authorise you, Vice Admiral Sir Archibald Moore, to make enquiries in my name on any subject such as may be required in the course of your work.”

“Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. I will not abuse that trust, but will use it if it will help us. We do not know where our research may take us, and will not be able to tell those whom we are asking for help. Not everyone will be aware of the vital nature of what we are doing.”

Admiral Jackson chimed in: “Thank you, Your Majesty. We may face times when relatively junior officers of Admiral Moore's staff will need information which is closely held by powerful hands.”

“It is little enough. The fate of the country and the Empire is in your hands.”

The King paused. He spent enough time touring hospitals and convalescent homes to see when a man was straining, possibly endangering himself, to get back to his duty. What could he say without slighting a senior officer, a true hero, who was fighting his injuries to return to the service of the Realm? He realised that it was the responsibility of any officer to look after his men, and Moore was his man.

“Please keep looking after yourself, and make sure to use your staff for as much as you can.”

Moore replied: “Yes, sir. I have a good steward looking after my every need.”

“Good. And I hope the quacks are also continuing to take good care of you.” The King glanced at Admiral Jackson, trying to will him to ensure that Moore had all the stewards or sick-berth-attendants or drivers or others that he might need. He continued, attempting a slightly jocular tone: “Somewhere down one of these halls is Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir Arthur May – who is incidentally my honourary physician – mayhap I shall call upon him and make sure he knows I have my eye on your recovery, make sure he finds a sawbones with a top-rank Harley Street practice and currently doing his duty for the RN who can superintend your convalescence."

Moore could not really protest this added attention from his Sovereign, from the King Emperor. “Thank you, Your Majesty. You can assure him that I am being taken care of very well.”

“Gentlemen, once again thank you for the fine work you are doing. Now, I will go in search of Vice Admiral May, and Mr. Balfour can have his planned discussion with you.”

At that, King George turned and left – his naval equerry having slipped out a moment earlier to find Vice Admiral May.