MY BOY JACK

SYNOPSIS

This is a work in progress and the design of this section will change.

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Act 1, Scene 1, September 1913

The scene is set in the drawing room in Bateman’s. Kipling is coaching his son on the way he should look, act and speak in an army interview. There is disagreement between Kipling and his wife over John signing up. Kipling says, ‘Within a year, by the end of 1914, we shall be fighting for civilization itself, and one wouldn’t want him to miss an opportunity to be part of that.’

John, ‘The Germans have been preparing for war for the last 45 years, and unless we act quickly, we won’t be ready for it.’

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Fact: prior to this, in her diary for 2nd May 1913, Carrie Kipling had recorded that 'John now wants to go into the Army.'

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Fact: In a letter to John Kipling on 27th September 1913, his father told him that he addressed a National League meeting in Burwash. This was widely reported in the press. Kipling talked about the threat from Germany and the horrors of invasion.

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Act 1, Scene 2

Later the same day. A room in the HQ of the Army Medical Board in London.

John has his medical examination.

Officers present are clearly enamoured by Kipling and his writing.

Major Sparks, medical officer, ‘But I have to say – categorically – that under no circumstances could the army ever recruit a boy with such poor eyesight’.

Rudyard, ‘ I think you are making a mistake. It’s a missed opportunity. It’s precisely the sort of inflexibility that this country needs to get out of its system. John has so much to offer. It’s a great shame.’

Fact: in a letter to H. A. Gwynn on the 18th of August 1914 sent from Bateman's, Kipling wrote:

Dear Old Man –

I took John over to Maidstone yesterday (for commission) and they turned him down for eyes. Passed as physically fit in every other way. But surely, in view of our butchers’ bills, they're not going to stick to this. They seem to be turning men down here very freely. This has a double effect. It disheartens offering recruits and their neighbours and gives excuse for ‘sticky chaps’ to fallout and hang back.

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Act 1, Scene 3

September 1913. Drawing Room, Bateman’s.

John and Elsie Kipling.

John, ‘I shall enlist as a private soldier. They can’t stop me.’

John, ‘I can’t bear being ‘geed up’ and encouraged. I’ll do it myself. Without his help. I’ll enlist.’

John clearly dislikes Bateman’s and finds the family atmosphere suffocating.

Act 1, Scene 4

Ten months later, October 1914. The First World War is six weeks old. Rudyard is recruiting at a mass meeting.

Fact: prior to this Carrie Kipling recorded in her diary for August 10th that ‘John leaves at 8 a.m. to go to the War Office to apply for a Commission.’

Fact: 17 Aug. John’s 17th birthday. Rud takes him to Hastings and Maidstone. They will not have him on account of his eyesight. Talk of enlisting.

Fact: Sep. 2 Rud and John to town to see about John’s commission. Decided to `ask Lord Roberts for nomination.

Fact:  Sep.10 Rud to town to meet Lord Roberts at the Irish Guards HQ. The Colonel says John is to report at once for duty.