Tompkins regularly brought lunch to David's quarters, and Herman joined them. With lunch always came fresh files of intelligence reports, and often there were service files on German-speaking soldiers for them to review and sort. Tompkins brought them a stack of textbooks on explosives engineering and demolition methods. These ranged from military manuals, through books on the use of explosives in mining and farming.

David laughed as he picked up Hercules Powder's Progressive Cultivation Facts for Farmers: How to Clear Lands of Stumps and Boulders, and he pointed to the duPont Farmer's Handbook: Instructions in the Use of Dynamite for Clearing Land. "Hadn't thought of this, but I suppose these were the common uses of explosives before the war. And this one, Road Construction and Maintenance, duPont Powder Company."

"We have more coming — from France and Switzerland, but these should keep your minds busy for the moment and prepare you for the lectures and then for the practical work on the range."

Over the following many days, they were tutored in field reconnaissance, wireless radio use, and encryption methods, among other topics. David and Herman juggled these sessions with their other course work and their need to be seen by others and socialise with them.

David had an easy time passing his leadership exercises during the fourth week, though seven of the students washed out, including the perpetually dithering Herbert. He kept telling me he was going to fail. It was his attitude, his lack of confidence. He did himself in.

Friday 23 July 1915

The Friday morning parade was also the graduation ceremony for 1505, reminding David he had twelve weeks of course left. Of the forty-eight who had begun the course on 31 March, forty-two had earned their commissions. The School Commandant addressed the newly commissioned officers. "Be courageous in all your actions, always inspire your men to follow you. Be decisive, be bold, be strong. Be an example for others to look up to."

He scanned the formation of cadets and pointed toward David. "There is one among you who will be presented to the King tomorrow at Windsor Castle to receive the Distinguished Service Order, a decoration awarded to senior officers for gallantry while in command under enemy fire. On rare occasions, it has been awarded to a junior officer to signify that his actions were just short of meriting the Victoria Cross."

He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. "His actions were less than a day after he had been granted a field commission. I'll read a portion of the citation:

With his company pinned down by fire from two German machine guns, and the enemy advancing, Second Lieutenant Berry ventured forward through persistent gunfire to overwhelm the occupants of one of the gun pits. He was then joined by Private Ganong and they turned the gun to fire on the other machine gun pit, rendering it quiet, before sweeping fire across the advancing enemy, taking many and sending the rest scurrying back to their trenches. His selfless action in the face of enemy fire prevented the certain breakthrough of our lines and the compromise of our position between the enemy and the English Channel."

He paused and scanned the graduating class. "You've received your commissions now, but this is not a time to sit back and bask in self-congratulations. Get directly out there and show your mettle. You'll not likely have the opportunity to act so soon nor so boldly as Lieutenant Berry, but let his decisiveness and his actions be an inspiration for yours."

David blushed as the Commandant spoke. Damn! So much for wanting to keep this quiet. Maybe it'll divert their attention away from the Sir Lotalance nonsense.

Windsor Castle — Saturday 24 July 1915

David and Tompkins had taken the train from Oxford to Slough, then transferred to one to Windsor. They were met at the station by a driver who took them to the castle and through the George IV Gate, from where they were led to Saint Georges Hall. Tompkins was shown to a seat in the gallery and David was escorted by an aide to an anti-chamber and introduced to an equerry.

"You'll be preceded by a Victoria Cross presentation, then by two Distinguished Service Orders. Yours will be the third of those as the junior recipient." The equerry continued, "You will not engage His Majesty in any conversation, except to answer his questions. If he does speak to you, you must respond, and your response must include the words, Your Majesty. Have you any questions or any concerns?"

"No, Sir. I've read the briefing document, and I understand these details."

"Following your presentation, you will be taken to a reception room, where the King will appear briefly after he has completed his presentations. Again, no conversation, except to answer his questions." After the Equerry had nodded and left to continue his briefings, David looked around the room at the others. Looks like about two dozen of us. He began studying the paintings on the walls. Everywhere in here, every wall I've seen throughout the castle.

After the King had pinned the order on David's chest, he said, "We are informed you will be engaging in covert activities. God speed."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." David nodded, took two steps back and nodded again, then he made a right turn and marched toward an aide who had signalled him.

He was led to a room in which were the Captain, the Colonel and the Lieutenant Colonel who had preceded his presentation. He walked across to the Captain and held out his hand to shake. "I'm David Berry. Your citation was impressive." He looked at the medal on the officer's chest. "A bar to the Victoria Cross. That must be the first? I've not heard of others."

"Yes, apparently. Crazy, I'm only doing my duty and they keep giving me these." He laughed. "The first was in South Africa against the Boers. I'm Arthur, Doctor Martin-Leake, but Doc to most."

The two senior officers came across to join them and to offer their congratulations to Arthur. The four of them chatted as the other recipients arrived at regular intervals. Colonel Simms looked at David's chest. "I'd not previously noticed, you've been awarded the DSO." He pointed to his own. "I thought these were awarded to senior officers only."

Arthur smiled and replied for David. "When one is awarded to a junior officer, it's as if they are saying it's ninety-nine percent of a Victoria Cross. Being wounded or killed would have tipped the..."

He was cut off by the announcement of the King's imminent arrival. They all stood silently as they faced the entry, then as they watched the King circulate through the group, and pause to say a few words to most.

He stopped at David's group to speak briefly with each of them, then he turned to David. "Walk with me as I leave."

David fell in step with the King as they moved beyond earshot of the others. "We have been informed you are well cognizant of this, but we will reiterate. You must ensure you do nothing that might jeopardise the Swiss neutrality. They are a vital buffer between the two sides."

"That message has been well ingrained, Your Majesty."

"Good. Go kick the Kaiser's butt for us all."

David smiled. "I fully intend to, Your Majesty."