The Wings of Pegasus by George Chatton

One of the officers in the medical ward was Douglas Bada, who was there after having had his legs amputated,

as a result of an accident some months before mine.

We knew each other, having been in fight to command together.

Later, when the hospital seemed satisfied that I was convalescent,

they allowed Douglas Bada and me to go out together.

He had just received his legs, tin ones, officers for the use of,

and wanted someone to accompany him on a jaunt outside the camp.

We visited a cafe called Pantowers, where subsequently he met his wife,

but my recollection was Douglas's insistence on playing clock golf.

It is hard to imagine a man with greater courage than Douglas Bada,

for here he was, out on two tin legs for the first time,

and immediately wanting to play a game.

He did it, and to this day I can still see the sweat of pain and effort

pouring down his face as, without any short contact with the ground,

he balanced himself and putted around the course,

and he beat me into the bargain.

Later, we both went to the movies.

I remember so well sitting in the front row of the dress-circle.

Suddenly Douglas put one leg up in the air, like the master of a ship,

to adjust the nut at the knee, which kept it stiff.

After a while the lady behind said rather irritably,

...