As soon as breakfast was over, the troop went out to the range, which was tucked away under the limestone scar. Raised areas of shooting platforms were distanced at various yards from the targets – one hundred and fifty yards being the easiest and the hardest being set at the lane edge, a distance of eight hundred and eighty yards. Only the most proficient shot could manage to hit the target from there. The six-foot target on a rotating iron axle was only a speck in the distance.

The group started off at the shortest distance and everyone hit the target. Captain Pierce, who had joined the group that morning, was keeping score.

‘This is bloody easy – I wish we could get a move on,’ Luke complained, as everyone lined up to take shots at the first three distances.

‘It might be easy for you, but I missed the target altogether last time. There is no way I’m going to manage the last two distances.’ Bill looked around him. He was beginning to wonder why he had bothered entering the Officers’ Training Corps, for he was not military-minded, but his father had told him it would make him more of a man, so he’d agreed to give it a go.

‘You don’t concentrate enough. Hold your gun steady and gently squeeze the trigger. Like the CO says, you’ve got to treat your gun like the most precious thing in your life.’ Luke and Bill walked towards the platform set at seven hundred and fifty yards from the target. In their footsteps came Brunskill, who overheard their conversation.

‘Perhaps he’s not like you. He’s got more precious things in his life. Unlike you, who’s not even loved by your family – boarded out, when your family only live two miles away from the school. Let’s face it, nobody wants you,’ sneered Brunskill.

‘They are busy, they work hard, so shut your mouth, you.’ Luke stared at Brunskill. How he hated him.

‘Aye, we know exactly how busy your father was, especially on that bike of his.’ Brunskill sniggered as he walked off and lined up to position himself at the next platform.

‘Don’t let him get to you.’ Bill pulled on Luke’s sleeve, holding him back from tackling Brunskill. ‘He’s not worth it.’

‘I’m going to show that bastard he’s not perfect. I’m sick of him picking on me and my family.’ Luke lined up along with Bill and took his next round of cartridges from the CO before loading his gun, his face set, determined to outshoot Brunskill, if nothing else.

‘Right, men, whoever hits this target will go on to try the platform furthest away. This will really test you all,’ shouted the CO, as the cadets looked at the distance and knew what was being asked of them.