The Way Ahead (1944)

David Niven: Lt. Jim Perry

Quotes 

• Lt. Jim Perry : When this regiment was formed, our country was doing pretty badly. Napoleon's armies were just across the channel getting ready to invade us. We'd had defeat after defeat and a great many people thought we were finished. We weren't, but not because we were lucky. When the first battalion of this regiment marched, it was against Napoleon. Talavera, 1809, that was the first battle they made their own. And they marched 42 miles in 24 hours through a Spanish summer and every man jack of them carried 60-pound pack. Talavera, look at your cap badges - you'll see the name on it, and other battles too. Barrosa, Sabugal. At Sabugal, together with four companies of riflemen they defeated five times the number of Napoleon's troops. Salamanca, Ortez, Waterloo, Alma, Sevastopol, Tell El Kebir, Mons, Ypres, Somme. Those are battle honours. You are allowed to wear that badge with those names on it to show that you belong to the regiment that won them, and that when the time comes you'll do as well as they did. Last year that badge was in France. This year it's in Libya. It hasn't been disgraced yet. Now you're wearing it. I know what went wrong today. It so happens that Captain Edwards doesn't. You needn't worry - I'm not going to tell him. He's quite depressed enough as it is to think that it was his company that let the whole battalion down. But I just want to tell you this. If you ever get anywhere near any real fighting - I don't suppose you'll be good enough - but if you do, you'll find you'll be looking to other men not to let you down. If you're lucky, you'll have soldiers like Captain Edwards and Sergeant Fletcher to look to. If they're lucky, they'll be with another company.

• Lt. Jim Perry : My old battalion were all Territorials so I haven't had much experience of these men just called up. Do they usually make complaints?

  Sgt. Ned Fletcher : Lloyd, sir?

  Lt. Jim Perry : Yes.

  Sgt. Ned Fletcher : Well, all soldiers like a bit of a grumble, don't they sir? After all, it's not very funny to run when you feel like walking, or to stand up when you could do with a sit-down, or to have someone shouting at you when you're doing your best. No, I believe it does the men good to let off steam a bit, sir.

  Lt. Jim Perry : Yes, if, if that's all it is.

  Sgt. Ned Fletcher : Well they're new sir, but there's some good men there. Lloyd for one. he hasn't got the hang of things yet, but he's got the knack of handling men alright. He's a bit of a nuisance now, sir, but later on, he'll make an NCO.

• Lt. Jim Perry : You know being in the army has a lot of disadvantages, but there is one compensation - you're not alone against anyone.

• Pte. Bill Parsons : Any truth in the rumour, sir that the Sergeant Major's got bronchitis?

  Lt. Jim Perry : He's just lost his voice on parade.

  Pte. Geoffrey Stainer : Shouting, sir?

  Lt. Jim Perry : Just giving orders, Stainer.