21 a is for army of which we are fond , b is for brides both brunette and blonde , c is for courage they had lots , d is for distance we covered by knots , e is for endeavour to give of our best , f is for fortitude put to the test ... ida faulkner , war bride , quoted in forces sweethearts , wartime romance from the first world war to the gulf , joanna lumley the stoker firefighter emerged from the black smoke with the faltering steps of a blind man , one hand still clutching his hose , the other outstretched , waiting for the grasp that would pull him to safety .