Born December 24, 1873, in London, England into a military family. His father was a general officer in the King’s army. He was raised mostly by his mother, but his father had a big influence on young John. He was educated in private schools and was accepted into Sandhurst, the primary military school in England at the time.
His father saw action in the Zulu War, Anglo-Boer Wars, and
the Anglo-Egyptian War. Young John was
greatly influenced by the military. He
had an inborn respect for honor and authority.
He graduated and began his military career at a time when
the Boxer Rebellion in China required intervention. He went on to serve in WWI, in France.
He married Leslie Smith when she was 22 and he was 40. They lived a happy life together. He adored her, and she loved him. Then, a certain Arthur Richmond, Aide de Camp
to General MacKenzie, entered their life.
Slowly, subtly, Leslie and Arhtur began a romantic relationship that they
kept secret.
The general was not aware of the liaison between Leslie and
Arthur until he mistakenly received a letter from Leslie to Arthur, which had
been put in the wrong envelope. It
devastated him, although he never let on that he knew.
At an opportune moment, he sent Arthur Richmond on a reconnaissance mission from which he did not return alive. The general was not accused of malfeasance in this affair and life went on. He did, however, feel a certain satisfaction in having his wife’s paramour removed. There was a certain guilt that followed him around, almost like a faithful dog that would not leave his side.
He never quite felt the same about Leslie,
yet they grew older together, each seemingly in love with the other. She contracted pneumonia and died several
years later.
He dealt with the two big blows to his psyche, the betrayals
of his wife and his trusted officer, by returning to the relief of morphine. He
was wounded in battle, and morphine was used to ease the pain. At first, it was on occasions, like
anniversaries and birthdays, when he was reminded of their relationship. Then it became habitual and, although he wasn’t
completely under the influence of the drug, he used it more frequently whenever
he had a bout of melancholy.
The effect of the drug is to cause the user to seem slightly
intoxicated. At this time, he has impaired impulse control, some dependence, and experiences mood
changes. The mood changes are
from grief and anxiety to a more peaceful place. He is not a chronic user but getting close to
being so. He assures his supply by bringing it with him as part of his toiletries.
He received an invitation to Soldier
Island in the guise of a reunion of former colleagues. He didn’t get out much since his retirement,
his life centered around the Benton Club where he lived. The idea of a reunion appealed to him, so he
made the necessary arrangements to attend.