In the second line trench lay several wounded Americans and Tom was surprised to see one of these propped up smoking a cigarette while the surgeons bandaged his head until it looked like a great white ball.

Out of the huge bandage a white face grinned up as the little group passed across on the planks and seeing the men to be wire carriers, the wounded soldier called, "Tell 'em we're here." "Ever hear of Paul Revere ?" one of the Signal men called back cheerily.
And he rumpled Tom's hair to indicate whom he meant.
Thus it was that Thatchy acquired the new nickname by which he was to be known far and wide in the country back of the lines and in the billet villages where he was to sit, his trusty motorcycle close at hand, waiting for messages and standing no end of jollying.

Some of the more resourceful wits in khaki even parodied the famous poem for his benefit, but he didn't care.

He would have matched _Uncle Sam_ against Paul Revere's gallant steed any day, and they could jolly him and "kid" him as their mood prompted, but woe be to the person who touched his faithful machine save in his watchful presence.

Even General Pershing would not have been permitted to do that..