IAIN KELLY

ARMISTICE DAY, 1918

‘The decoration’s are a bit much, those candles’ll set the place on fire.’

‘You hush. We can’t have him coming home to a dull house without some sort of celebration.’

‘He won’t be back for days yet.’

‘But we’ll be ready for him when he does come home.’

She stepped down and looked at the room. He stood and put his arm round her. They smiled and he kissed her gently on the cheek.

Outside, the delivery boy found the number of the house he was looking for. He nervously fingered the telegram from the British War Office.

‘We deeply regret to inform you…’


Copyright Dale Rogerson

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more detailsย HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this weekโ€™s prompt, visit HERE.

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88 responses to “ARMISTICE DAY, 1918”

  1. ceayr Avatar

    A touching human slant to one of history’s greatest tragedies.
    The Great War?
    What a crock.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks CE. I’m not sure any war should have been called Great.

      Like

  2. Reena Saxena Avatar

    That is a sad ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Most wars end up that way. Thanks Reena.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    Still, at least he gave his life for something greater. Didn’t he? Nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They still spin that line. Thanks Neil.

      Like

  4. Tannille Avatar

    A terrible reality for some families. We take much for granted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Given how badly a lot of countries have dealt with the pandemic, it’s hard to imagine how we would cope with a global war. A new respect for those who suffered and lost.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tannille Avatar

        Absolutely. It is a war in its own way.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Mister Bump UK Avatar

    There was this perversity that the respective commands ordered assaults to take place even when they knew the armistice would happen shortly. I find that difficult to comprehend but we know far more about warfare now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And apparently even after the armistice was signed, they kept going for the rest of the day. Hard to imagine.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Mister Bump UK Avatar

        I know we can be critical of the media, but this is the area where I think we benefitted the most, just that we are so much better informed. Not just war itself, but especially WW1, the causes were so unclear. To imagine a politician crying “we are at war” and a country just falling in behind them,,, I don’t think it would happen now.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Definitely not, in fact more likely to have the opposite reaction.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Tina Stewart Brakebill Avatar

    Another dark and beautiful storyโ€”beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Tina.

      Like

  7. Susan A Eames Avatar

    That packed a seriously poignant punch, Iain.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan.

      Like

  8. Sadje Avatar

    Oh so sad. A beautiful story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        Youโ€™re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Anita Avatar

    We owe our freedom and lifestyle to them..
    Touching story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anita

      Like

  10. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Touching and, no doubt, true for too many. So much for the War to End All Wars. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  11. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Oh no! Heartbreaking. Beautifully told.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. liz young Avatar

    Very moving, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Liz

      Like

  13. joyroses13 Avatar

    Noooo! Oh but I can’t deny that it is great writing! But I am still “yelling” at you. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Sorry! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        LOL! Because your writing is so good I can give you a pass. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  14. magickmermaid Avatar

    Heartbreaking and true for so many families. When will humanity learn?!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      At least we view war much differently now.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Such a sad take Iain, but it happened to a lot of families.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. granonine Avatar

    The painful irony was real. Many soldiers died after the war was declared over. It took a while for the news to reach everywhere. So sad, such heartbreak. Well written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  17. pennygadd51 Avatar

    What a sad ending. So many families received that awful telegram. Beautifully written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny, much appreciated.

      Like

  18. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I appreciated this snippet, which gently reminded me of those in my family who did not return from warfare

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mike, very kind.

      Like

  19. Dora Avatar

    A sad remembrance, Iain. Beautifully told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dora

      Liked by 1 person

  20. trentpmcd Avatar

    Very sad, and true for fr, far too many. A bit of a bitter pill to have the news after the Armistice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Must have been heart-wrenching. Thanks Trent.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    Oh, damn, I wasn’t expecting that ending. This affected me more than anything I’ve read on social media.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Aw, thanks Eugenia, that’s a nice compliment.

      Like

  22. oldentimes Avatar

    My Uncle who I never met, word was recieved of his death on Christmas Eve 1944, his body returned to the US on my birthday, Dec 22, 1947. My grandparents did not celebrate Christmas.
    I felt the story in my soul.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s such a tragedy. I’m glad my story meant something to you.

      Like

  23. Danny James Avatar

    The letter that no family wants to receive.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely not.

      Like

  24. notestowomen Avatar

    Heartbreaking story, Iain. So beautifully told. My heart breaks for the families whose joy turned into sorrow.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  25. Dale Avatar

    Whyyyyyy? I just knew you were gonna break all of our hearts!
    Well done, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No happy endings in war I’m afraid. Thanks Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        I know…

        Liked by 1 person

  26. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    A heartwrenching but all too common happening. Unimaginable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    Heartwrenchingly beautiful. At least she wasn’t left waiting… just saying.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A small silver lining, I suppose.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. draliman Avatar

    Very sad, and a reality for so many.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  29. plaridel Avatar

    what an unexpected twist of fate. all they could now is mourn.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A bitter end. Thanks .

      Liked by 1 person

  30. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    A tragic story that was all too true for so many people.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    A very moving story in remembrance of the men who lost their lives and the families who were left traumatized. A meaningful tribute, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda

      Like

  32. cathrynanne24 Avatar

    Aww beautifully written. That bought a tear to my eye at the end.x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Cathrynanne

      Liked by 1 person

  33. cathrynanne24 Avatar

    Aww beautifully written. That bought a tear to my eye at the end.x

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Oh my … I felt the jolt of her painful sadness.
    Powerful and true … nicely done, Iian.
    Isadora ๐Ÿ˜Ž

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Isadora

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Gut wrenching.
    Some in my family have been on the receiving end of such calls/knocks-on-the-door/telegrams.
    Well described.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Those deaths at the end of wars seem more tragic, but the others are just as tragic. War is a tragedy.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. David Stewart Avatar

    A sad reality too much of the time, Iain. Good story though. I would hate to the person having to deliver those telegrams.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you David, much appreciated.

      Like

  38. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh
    Oh no.
    How tragically sad
    Beautifully written Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

  39. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Nicely told and set up, Iain. the ending sends a shudder through you. My grandma received that telegram three times, fortunately they were mistaken each time, otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      What a mistake to make – and 3 times over! Your poor grandma!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

        Yeah, after the first time she refused to believe it until she saw his body. Apparently, it wasnโ€™t uncommon to receive a telegram in error such was the chaos of the fighting. Men would go missing and simply assumed dead.

        Liked by 1 person

  40. trishsplace Avatar

    Dude, don’t make me cry ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  41. jwdwrites Avatar

    That last line was a punch in the gut, good story. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Like

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