Pestered by his older brothers and sisters Thomas life was in turmoil and he sought
refuge and food. His father would often enter the childrens dining area and
throw scraps to them and watch as they scurried to fight for dinner. Uriah was not
known as a family man. This then was the foundation for young Thomas fanatical
devotion to etiquette and proper behavior. He refused to roughhouse with his
siblings and insisted on using table napkins when he was allowed to gobble a morsel of
food. He insisted on a daily high tea and would pretend to eat sconces
and drink tea. Using a crudely fashion cup made of mud, he would bring the vessel to his
lips and raise his little finger as a sign of refinement. Thus was the genesis of
the nickname Pinkie. That plus the fact Thomas was continually
embarrassed by his lack of privacy, so much so he was always reddened in the face.
Thomas perfered the former interpretation of the nickname. Always interested in sheep
and woolen goods, Pinkie set off to Scotland in the early days of 1910 and met up with one
Angus Dundee McTavish. McTavish and Heep formed a long lasting friendship which
would carry them to their destiny and fame in the Lost Squadron. They were
inseparable and could often be seen roaming the moors, chasing sheep. Heep did not
have the mechanical skills that so distinguished McTavish, but he was always willing to
pass a wrench or screwdriver as his friend worked feverishly on his latest
invention. Heep, however, could be called upon to set a table for tea in
an instant, and with very favorable reviews. He was known through out the Highlands
as a tea and crumpet man. He was renown for his fiery cry of Say now,
lets have a cuppa!
His coming to the Lost Squadron and flying career is so entwined with that of McTavish,
the reader is referred to that heroic saga for details. Heep survived the war and
wrote many of the mission details in his personal diary. It is from his diary that
much of the LS history is taken, all except the reported sheep fondling incident which we
shall overlook. Heep remained a man of mystery in the Lost Squadron, he was
constantly in the back ground, planning, plotting and delivering needed information, no
matter the challenge. Always smelling faintly of ozone, or electrical as
many would say, Heep kept in constant readiness and ever vigilant.
|