- 1 day ago
Part 4 of 5 of the true life period drama. Victor dies of his head injuries and with Geoffrey dead only Edward her brother remains for Vera as the war enters into 1917. She gets her overseas posting so she can be near Edward, but is shocked at the state of the hospital and to find she is in charge of treating German patients. She does find a couple of allies in Ward Sister Hope Milroy and wet behind the ears young nurse Sally, but the war comes closer to her than expected when the German army advances towards their base. News from home forces her to leave nursing, but it won't be the only devastating news that the family will receive...
Starring Cheryl Campbell, Rupert Fraser, Emrys James, Jane Wenham, Michael Troughton, Kenneth Gilbert, Victor Lucas, Frances Tomelty, Jane Booker, Thelma Whiteley, Douglas Stark, Willy Bowman, Eric De Groot, Gideon Kolb, Robert Van Kaptengst, John Serrett, Terence Creasey, Ginette Clark, plus keep a look out for Bella Emberg near the end of this episode. You can't mistake her...
(Note: Just in case Episode 5 does not show up on my channel - I'm having trouble with it showing up for some reason - the last episode can also be found on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcdX2tvqJAI).
Starring Cheryl Campbell, Rupert Fraser, Emrys James, Jane Wenham, Michael Troughton, Kenneth Gilbert, Victor Lucas, Frances Tomelty, Jane Booker, Thelma Whiteley, Douglas Stark, Willy Bowman, Eric De Groot, Gideon Kolb, Robert Van Kaptengst, John Serrett, Terence Creasey, Ginette Clark, plus keep a look out for Bella Emberg near the end of this episode. You can't mistake her...
(Note: Just in case Episode 5 does not show up on my channel - I'm having trouble with it showing up for some reason - the last episode can also be found on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcdX2tvqJAI).
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TVTranscript
00:00¶¶
00:30PIANO PLAYS
01:00Friend, be very sure I shall be better off with plants
01:14that share more peaceably the meadow and the shower.
01:19My soul's a little grief grappling your chest
01:23to climb your throat on sobs,
01:26easily chased on other sides
01:28and wiped by fresher winds.
01:32Carry my crying spirit
01:34till it's weaned to do without
01:37what blood remained these wounds.
01:40PIANO PLAYS
01:46PIANO PLAYS
01:51PIANO PLAYS
02:05PIANO PLAYS
02:10PIANO PLAYS
02:12It's a pity he couldn't have got away in time for the funeral.
02:42Oh do come and sit down and talk to us Edward.
02:48You've hardly said anything since you arrived.
02:51Is the arm quite better now?
02:53My fingers are still a bit stiff.
02:55I'm sure no one could tell. It doesn't seem to affect your playing at all.
02:58It does but it'll pass.
03:01You haven't said what you think about the flat.
03:04That's very nice.
03:06I had somehow thought it would be smaller.
03:09Why do you say that?
03:12I really don't know mother.
03:14Perhaps because you said you only had one maid.
03:17Well that's because you simply can't get hold of servants nowadays.
03:21If they do consent to come you've no idea how careful you've got to be.
03:24They just turn around and they say if you're not satisfied
03:26they can go and earn two or three times as much making munitions.
03:29It's really wicked what they'd pay them in the factories.
03:32The wretched girls are completely demoralized.
03:36The one we've got now is from a home.
03:40I have to stand over her literally all the time.
03:46I suppose I'd better go and see how she's coping with the dinner.
03:49What's your news Edward?
03:58Me. I've been past fit.
04:01You'll be going back out then?
04:02That's right.
04:03When?
04:04Any time now.
04:08Tar often talked about you towards the end.
04:10I think in the circumstances it's just as well he died.
04:15If it had been me I wouldn't have wanted to live.
04:17Do you think I was wrong for wanting to help?
04:18No.
04:19Why should I?
04:20I don't know.
04:21Why should I?
04:22I don't know.
04:23Something seems to have changed.
04:27You and I at least could always talk to one another.
04:31Yes.
04:32Yes I'm sorry.
04:33You and I at least could always talk to one another.
04:34Yes.
04:35Yes I'm sorry.
04:36You and I at least could always talk to one another.
04:40Yes.
04:41Yes.
04:42Yes.
04:43Yes I'm sorry.
04:44The thing is the...
04:45Roland...
04:46Geoffrey...
04:47No.
04:48No.
04:49No.
04:50No.
04:51No.
04:52No.
04:53No.
04:54No.
04:55No.
04:57No.
04:58No.
04:59No.
05:00No.
05:01No.
05:02No.
05:03No.
05:04No.
05:05No.
05:06No.
05:07No.
05:08No.
05:09No.
05:10No.
05:11No.
05:12No.
05:13No.
05:14No.
05:15No.
05:16No.
05:17No.
05:18No.
05:19No.
05:20No.
05:21No.
05:22No.
05:23No.
05:24No.
05:25No.
05:26No.
05:27No.
05:28No.
05:29No.
05:30No.
05:31No.
05:32No.
05:33No.
05:34No.
05:35No.
05:36No.
05:37No.
05:38No.
05:39I'm going back to it and you're not oh I can't begin to tell you how unreal all this is
05:52it's like visiting a different world different breed of people it's like talking to children
06:01nine-tenths of my mind is back out there already every minute
06:09you see there's so much that you
06:39there fetch me a hunky do you mind it's on my dressing
06:54table
07:01oh dear
07:03it's not just just because edward's gone back to france
07:16it was so funny all the time he was here more like a stranger why didn't you make
07:21him say what was the matter my dear he's a grown man now i wouldn't like to try to make him do
07:26anything that's a ridiculous thing to say about your own son anybody think you were afraid of
07:30him he just didn't want to talk about it a lot of them are like that when they're on leave
07:43look at her she's just as bad
07:45i don't think you realize just how much your mother and i have been looking forward to having the
07:56both of you home for a few days it gets very quiet here you know just the two of us
08:01it must do
08:14it must do it must do damn it all vera that's the kind of antsy you'd give to a stranger on a buzz
08:21anyone would think that words have been put on the ration the way you dole them out
08:25sorry father i can remember a time when you had plenty to say for yourself too much you always
08:30said aye so it was so it was sometimes but even all that shouting and arguing was better than
08:37this at least i knew then what was going on in your head what's going on in it now nothing much
08:46what there is is nothing to be proud of
08:48victor for one thing you thought the world of you anybody could see that that's nothing to be
08:56ashamed of dear only that at the funeral all i could think was thank god he didn't live
09:05i thought i was doing such a splendid thing by offering to take him on
09:09but i'd have made a pretty rotten wife wouldn't i if i could feel glad that he was dead
09:13no no no it doesn't follow no no of course it doesn't
09:25the way he was it was a merciful release for him yes wasn't it and for me too
09:32oh vera why do you have to have such an uncomfortable way of looking at things
09:39yes because i try to look at things straight i don't understand
09:48what will you do now
09:57edward's the only one left
10:02i'll apply for a posting
10:05as near to him as i can get
10:07britain vmb that's right and you're applying to go to france
10:12yes please according to this you were serving in malta but you decided to come back to england
10:18i applied for british oh yes i can see it was all perfectly regular but the point is it does make
10:22difficulties for us when people keep changing their minds do you mind telling me why you left malta
10:28i came back meaning to marry a man who's blinded at arras
10:34died soon after i got back
10:39i'm so sorry
10:42yes of course we'll be able to place you now you specify france any special reason for that
10:50well i don't mind where it is as long as there's plenty of work and no time to think but my brother
10:55is serving on the western front so i see well there are two drafts going out there quite soon
11:01not many vacancies left but i'll do my very best for you
11:05thank you thank you very much
11:20here it is
11:25come on
11:35oh well this is ridiculous I mean where are we supposed to put everything it's
11:46not even a wardrobe why did you bring all that there'll be a storeroom somewhere
11:52you can dump most of it oh but I need most of it well there aren't even enough
11:56names you can have a couple of mine we'll bang some more in I do think it's a
12:10bit thick they ought to have warned us I certainly wasn't led to expect anything
12:14like this well haven't you heard about the charge sister there
12:25no haven't you well haven't you been over to the mess yet when I was there
12:30just now it was the only thing anybody was talking about but they say it is mental
12:36mental you know off her head
12:46sister Milroy yes I'm Les Britton I was told to report to Ward 6 correct so you've
12:52arrived good morning it's a lovely day yes sister is that an efficiency strike yes sister thank God for
13:01that the last one they said we've still wet behind the ears where did you serve
13:06Malta oh short bursts of work and long periods of torpor well you'll be glad to
13:12know we're more consistent than that here good oh yes we're incessantly overworked my
13:18ward staff has recently opted to take a self-denying ordinance with regard to half days they've reduced
13:23them to two hours off per week conditions permitting it was of course a purely voluntary decision
13:29you see what did you say you were called Britain well now it's a fine patriotic name are you patriotic
13:37nurse Britain you should hardly be here if I wasn't oh you'd be surprised how many people find it
13:42possible to stay in England and be patriotic in comfort why didn't you do that you're entitled to
13:48inquire about my qualifications for serving sister I didn't think I was also obliged to explain my
13:53motives you're not
14:01if you must know it's
14:02three people I cared about very deeply who were serving on the western front are now dead
14:14my brother was wounded at the Somme and is now back again fighting an ypres
14:20is that sufficient explanation oh quite so you thought you would have a share of the glory eh
14:26and get your own back on the Bosch
14:27you're not thinking there's any glory I simply believe we've got to fight on and win
14:34we've got to prove that no nation can get away with behaving as the Germans have been behaving
14:38you mean crucifying Canadians raping women chopping up little babies that sort of thing
14:43I have read about such things yes I try not to think about them
14:47I don't see what connection they have with nursing
14:49splendid in that case you'll be impatient to know what your duties will be
14:54you've been posted here towards six do you know anything about it no sister
14:58very well come and be introduced to your charges
15:06Heinrich Schwepperberg
15:08corporal Hans Wittmann
15:12Karl Schoenry
15:14adult Blumenfeld
15:17feel quite free to speak your mind
15:19as you see they're just a bunch of filthy huns and very few English
15:23the German orderlies will act as interpreters
15:26this is to be my ward they're all yours
15:29you don't need to waste your compassion on them many of them won't last long enough to need it
15:33on the other hand you needn't fear any attacks on your maidenly virtue
15:37they have other things in their minds and let's be clear you will devote to them the utmost of your skill
15:43and place their welfare above your own convenience at all times
15:47is that understood nurse of Britain
15:49perfectly
15:50for
15:52and
16:13it's another day over praise God from whom all blessings flow anybody had
16:28told me five weeks ago that I have a bit of chocolate you still got it have you
16:40just had my heart up out there in the bushes and I've been on the trot all
16:45day how long does it go on for what D&B I don't know mine lasted six days some
16:52hopes then I've had it for five now I've got the curse on top of it
16:58awful couldn't you go sick rushed off our feet in Ward 2 I've got all the beds full
17:08and six on the floor there's only three of us to cope and we're all in the
17:12same state I did you something Sally when you first arrived I didn't think you'd
17:20stick it I'll tell you something if I'd known the tenth of it I never would have
17:24arrived
17:34romantic I thought it'd be like on the posters I know
17:38I never feel the same about men again why not well when they're yelling things they
17:53can't help that I know but the filth there I mean all that muck that must be inside their
17:58heads all the time or it would never come out well even the officers people you'd be introduced to
18:05back home and they smile and open a door for you and yet they can think like that
18:09you just have to shut your mind to it yes I know I had a letter from my mother you
18:17don't tell us what it's like out there she said how can you tell them it's a
18:23different world how are you getting on with your precious Jerry's okay then they
18:38haven't got me in the ward I'd give them something to remember knew you wouldn't
18:45Sally no maybe not I don't know about anything anymore
18:55what did he say he asked how long till he dies pain very bad not long now I'm afraid
19:19I'm afraid of you as you thought it was a very sort of an extraordinary
19:25of course he said it's the first one
19:26so I'm afraid that you didn't stop me
19:28she said it will not take long
19:30I thank you my sister
19:31Wishester
19:32Schwester
19:33Wish73
19:34Wish73
19:35Fish complementary
19:35Fish73
19:37Ruhe, Ruhe.
19:45Wipe his face. Give him some more water.
19:49Tell that fool Schrolf to give the captain another shot of Morphia. He's getting on my nerves.
19:54Then jump to it!
19:56Can't we do anything?
19:58Don't talk bilge.
20:00I'd be watching him bleed to death if we could.
20:03Where's he coming from?
20:04Subclavian.
20:05Not a hope in hell. It's much too deep.
20:13Amen.
20:14Thank God for that. Thank you, Padre. That'll do nicely.
20:28All right, that's all.
20:30Safe on his way now.
20:32Poor old devil.
20:34Go and get something to eat before the next lot arrive. Any problems?
20:38The scout wound over there says he hasn't had any breakfast.
20:41He won't get any lunch either. He's got a cute MPM.
20:43You can take 20 minutes.
20:45I'm due on the theatre as soon as the MO comes back and after that you're on your own.
20:49We've got 15 operations lined up.
20:52I see Fritz has gone.
20:54Open the window behind his bed. I always do that.
20:57What for?
20:58To let their souls out.
21:01Yes sister.
21:02In Britain?
21:03Yes.
21:04Bring me a cup of tea when you get back.
21:07Yes.
21:08By the time I've laid him out I'm going to need it.
21:11I don't enjoy watching a patient bleed to death under my very eyes.
21:16Even a lousy hun.
21:19What's on your mind?
21:23Beg your pardon?
21:24You've been looking very gloomy today.
21:27Not that you're ever exactly a ray of sunshine.
21:29Oh keep calm.
21:31I'm not complaining.
21:32You're the best worker they've sent me in six months.
21:35So if it's something I can do anything about it would pay me to put it right.
21:40All right. You're obliged to tell me.
21:43It's my brother.
21:46Ah.
21:48He...
21:49He said in his last letter
21:51that his company was being brought out of the salient.
21:54He'd only had three days out of the front line in the past two and a half weeks.
21:57Already they'd lost 50 men.
21:59Well...
22:00Yes.
22:02Well he said he was applying for local leave to come and see me.
22:05For three days now I've been expecting he might turn up at any minute.
22:08I've been looking forward to that ever since I got here.
22:10But there hasn't even been a letter.
22:13Well surely if it was something serious she'd have heard.
22:16Yes I suppose so.
22:19I can't help worrying.
22:20And losing weight.
22:22That was just the bug.
22:23Hmm.
22:24The whole place gets to stink with sepsis whenever there's a push.
22:27It was a lot quieter last night.
22:29Perhaps they're slackening off.
22:31Look.
22:32If they are...
22:34Why don't we go somewhere?
22:36Treat ourselves to a decent meal for once.
22:38Schwester.
22:39Schwester.
22:40Schwester.
22:41How about tomorrow?
22:42Schwester.
22:43What a marvellous idea.
22:45Now look.
22:46Shut up and listen.
22:47Two chances.
22:48For two people.
22:49Two or three.
22:50Got that?
22:51Just for nine.
22:52Set suave.
22:53Un bloody suave.
22:54This looks good too.
22:55I suppose it's her own business.
22:56She's a fool all the same.
22:57Does seem unfair though.
22:58If it was reported she'd get dismissed out of hand and he'd get off scot-free.
22:59To my mind it's a matter of dignity.
23:00Makes men so conceited to think they're worth it.
23:01It's a matter of dignity.
23:02Makes men so conceited to think they're worth it.
23:03What is it?
23:04What is it?
23:05What is it?
23:06That's the side down.
23:07Madame?
23:08Yes.
23:09I think I'd have a deal with it.
23:10I think it's a matter of dignity.
23:11Makes men so conceited to think they're worth running that sort of risk for.
23:13That's the side down.
23:14Madame?
23:15Yes.
23:16I think I'd have a deal too.
23:17I'm sick of the side down, woolly beef.
23:34yes. I think I'll have a veal too. I'm sick of the cider and woolly beef.
23:49I'm glad you had better news about your brother.
23:56Oh beautiful.
23:58it looks like Tuscany. not far from man to him you said.
24:03you must think he's in heaven after Passchendaele.
24:06and there's nothing really happening in Italy is there?
24:08so you can stop worrying.
24:10yes I suppose so.
24:13except he's further away than ever now.
24:15and he was the chief reasoner to France.
24:17so La Guerre.
24:20where did you come?
24:22cussedness more than anything.
24:24kicking against the family.
24:26long line of bishops on my mother's side.
24:29the father's lot was artistic.
24:31actors, critics.
24:33I was supposed to go to Oxford and become an intellectual.
24:35but I certainly wasn't standing for that.
24:37you didn't want to go.
24:39not on your life.
24:40my sister was at LMH.
24:41I couldn't think of anything more dreary.
24:43why?
24:44because I spent years begging and pleading
24:46and swatting and fighting tooth and nail to get there.
24:49fighting who?
24:50my family.
24:51they were trying to stop you.
24:52yes.
24:53there you are you see.
24:54I thought that's only literature.
24:56I wanted life.
24:57and nursing was the earthiest looking option.
24:59didn't have to be France though.
25:00no.
25:01they put up a list for volunteers.
25:03all the ones who didn't sign gave such impeccably plausible reasons.
25:07they just said they were afraid I wouldn't have minded.
25:22but I thought I refused to be identified with that bunch of hypocrites.
25:26I mean it wasn't patriotism or love of humanity or anything like that.
25:32I don't find humanity all that laughable.
25:35it was more like conceit.
25:37I don't think the patients will worry about your motives.
25:39nobody does a better job.
25:41by the way
25:43I'm moving you to a medical ward.
25:45we've lost two vads there and the cases are mounting up.
25:48medical cases? why is that?
25:50well they always do in the winter.
25:51pneumonia, rheumatic fever, trench fever
25:54and now there's something else.
25:56mustard gas.
25:58if in some smothering dreams
26:03you too could pace behind the wagon that we flung him in
26:08and watch the white eyes writhing in his face
26:11his hanging face like a devil sick of sin
26:15if you could hear at every jolt
26:18the blood come gurgling from the froth corrupted lungs
26:23obscene as cancer
26:25bitter as the cud of vile incurable sores on innocent tongues.
26:31my friend
26:32you would not tell with such high zest
26:35to children ardent for some desperate glory
26:39the old lie
26:41dulce et decorum est
26:44pro patria mori
26:50how fond of is that?
26:52oi! you!
26:54what are you doing in here?
27:06do you seriously know what I'm doing in here?
27:08yes
27:09perhaps I better.
27:10good
27:11because I'm gonna tell you anyway
27:14there's no orderly in this ward
27:16he's gone to take sole charge of ward 3
27:18because Nora has gone sick with a temperature of 103
27:21by 4.30am I had washed 17 patients and done 17 TPRs
27:26I've been stoking that thing all morning
27:28I've been filling the oil stove to prepare the feed
27:30and I'm stinking of paraffin
27:32the path between the huts is frozen over
27:34and I went down flat on my coccyx carrying three bedpans
27:38that is not funny
27:41I'm sleeping in my vest
27:43because if I put it on a chair it's too stiff to put it on in the morning
27:47the taps outside are frozen and I'm rationing water
27:50I feel as if I've been dragged through the gutter
27:52and I haven't been warm for a week
27:53so now sister Milroy was there something you wanted of me?
27:58telegram for you
27:59it's from my brother
28:00just got leave can you get it too?
28:13go and see matron
28:14but they haven't been fair
28:15I'll deal with that
28:16go and see matron
28:18I just can't tell you Vera what it's been like here
28:22you've no idea what we've had to endure
28:24I'm sure it's been very hard for you mother
28:26but the ration's gone nowhere
28:28and of course the trace people all take advantage
28:30they know we've got to take anything we can get
28:32it's no wonder that people's nerves are warm to shreds
28:34it's gone on so long that's a wage you down
28:37three and a half years now no sign of any end to it
28:39nobody visits us anymore do they Thomas
28:41and we get no holidays no sort of break
28:45are you alright Bea?
28:49Bea
28:53she's burning hot
28:55well she's just had a hot bath
28:57you're not ill are you Vera
28:59I do feel a bit queer
29:01well since when?
29:03on the ship it was a terrible crossing
29:06it's freezing on the train
29:08I'm so sorry
29:09will you back it off to bed Vera?
29:11yes come on
29:12we'll get you a doctor in the morning
29:14I hope you're not going to be out
29:16don't you worry about that
29:17I'm so sorry
29:21just for once I thought just for a couple of weeks
29:24I'd have somebody to share the burden
29:26oh she did look poorly Edith
29:28oh I know I know I know
29:30it's just that coming on top of everything else
29:32with two more mouths to feed and plan for
29:34that was bad enough
29:35but I thought Vera would have helped
29:37hey
29:41I'm not getting any younger Thomas
29:43I don't know how I'm going to go through with it
29:46I mean if you don't
29:52Bea
29:53the doctor said you want to get up until Sunday
29:55I'm not waiting till then
29:56are you sure you're all right?
29:58yes absolutely
30:00has he said yet what it was?
30:02well
30:03he's doing his best to conceal it from me
30:06but I think it's a classic case of NKD
30:08what on earth is that?
30:10it's rife on the western front
30:12no known diagnosis
30:13oh yes sort of trench fever
30:15hmm
30:16hmm
30:19how's mother bearing up?
30:21stoically
30:23she wants you to apply for extended leave
30:25it might be an idea V
30:27I don't think so
30:28nobody who comes here talks about anything but servants and ration cards
30:32on and on
30:33another week and I'm afraid my patience would snap and I'd say something unforgivable
30:37yes well try not to
30:40they run out of resilience
30:41they must be wondering if they're ever going to live to see the end of it
30:46end of it?
30:47given up dreaming about that
30:49seems as far away as ever
30:51well out there we can hold out
30:53now that the Americans have come in
30:55but I worry more about the home front
30:57they seem far closer to cracking up than we are don't you think?
31:00hmm
31:01yes I do
31:03oh Edward I'm so glad we've had this week together
31:06last time I felt quite cut off from you
31:09Roland was gone then Geoffrey Victor
31:13you were the only one left and I couldn't talk to you
31:16it was the worst thing of all
31:18yes I remember
31:20everything was black full of horror
31:22I simply couldn't break out of it not for months
31:26I was so grateful that you kept on writing
31:29your letters helped me more than anything
31:31good
31:33the best thing is that it's Italy you're going back to and not France
31:36hmm
31:54well stands England where she did
31:57more or less
31:58getting near the end of her tether though
32:00did you have a nice time?
32:03I was ill in bed for ten days of it
32:05oh no
32:07there was a complete washout
32:09no it was wonderful
32:11oh well
32:12there's no accounting for tastes
32:15you ready for work?
32:17can't wait
32:30what's the matter?
32:45it's only a violet
32:54violets from plug street wood
32:57think what they have meant to me
33:00life and hope
33:02and love
33:04and you
33:06and you did not see them grow
33:08where his mangled body lay
33:10hiding horror from the day
33:12sweetest it was better so
33:15violets from overseas
33:18to your dear far forgetting land
33:20these I send in memory
33:23knowing you will understand
33:43sorry about whatever it was
33:50I will hear you
33:51I will see you
33:52see you
34:18Where can we go?
34:48Where can we go?
34:58Where can we go?
35:04Where can we go?
35:10nurse who are these patients where do they come from from Perron we're retreating all roads for
35:24miles full of lorries and ambulances now so far there are 10 wounded operations they're all labeled
35:31there are 12 for x-ray and four you want to watch out for what's happened by medical patients
35:37well you sent home last night well you have to get this lot ready to be moved on tonight for tonight
35:43well you'll have to you'll have to there'll be more coming where do you come from st. quentin
35:48casualty clearing station i'm telling you they've taken it the germans have got it we had to drop
35:55everything i've nothing but what i stand in i thought they had any breakfast i don't know the
36:01orderly's on picket duty look i've got to get back now no you don't look this was a medical ward
36:06apart from drugs that is all i've got to look after all these i'm very sorry i've been on for
36:1218 hours now and i have my orders from my own unit yes yes i know but just wait two minutes i'll write
36:19an indent and you can take it to the dispensary on your way in case bandages splints scalpels
36:25tell them to send a nurse tell them to send somebody as quickly as they can along my own here
36:30saline are you soul if they can't send a nurse ask them to send an orderly tell them i've got
36:38what candles may be held to speed them all
36:45not in the hands of boys but in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmer of goodbyes
36:53the pallor of girls brows shall be their paw their flowers the tenderness of patient minds and each slow
37:09The pallor of girls' brows shall be their paw,
37:14Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
37:19And each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds.
37:31We ought to tidy up the ward before the next slot comes.
37:34I ought to sit down.
37:36All right.
37:39Oh not another convoy?
37:44No not yet.
37:46But apparently the Germans are an amyot.
37:49We've now been officially alerted to pack our boxes in case we have to move in a hurry.
37:53Most of us haven't packed the last fortnight.
37:56Mail's just come in.
38:00And a special order of the day.
38:02What's it about?
38:05It's from Sir Douglas Haig.
38:07Expressing his admiration, etc.
38:09I thought we were losing.
38:13Many amongst us are now tired.
38:15To those I would say that victory will belong to the side which holds out the longest.
38:20Every position must be held to the last man.
38:24There must be no retirement.
38:26With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause,
38:30each one of us must fight on to the end.
38:34See it goes up on the notice board, will you?
38:46Bad news.
38:48I have to tell you that your mother has cracked up and had to go into a nursing home with a toxic heart and complete general breakdown.
39:00As we can no longer manage without you, it is now your duty to leave France immediately and return to Kensington.
39:06This is stupid.
39:10What if you have been killed?
39:12They'd have had to manage somehow.
39:14Do you want to see it like that?
39:15Can't you just explain to them that you can't be spared?
39:17No, I don't think I can.
39:19You're not afraid of them are you?
39:21No.
39:23They're getting older and he sounds frightened.
39:25If I said no and she died, how could I live with that?
39:28All right, all right.
39:29They've obviously got you thoroughly broken in.
39:32It's a pity though.
39:34It's no use applying for leave under present conditions.
39:36You realise that?
39:37What can I do?
39:38What could your brother do if they ordered him to come home?
39:40He could desert, that's all.
39:42And you?
39:43You'd have to break your contract.
39:45You sound angry.
39:47Well we're short of good people as you know.
39:49You'll be missed.
39:55And really there was no one to help her.
40:00What happened to Rose? She was a good worker.
40:02Oh well.
40:03She had a go.
40:05She got...
40:06You know.
40:07Regnant?
40:08Aye.
40:09We've had four maids since then.
40:12Four?
40:13Whatever happened to them?
40:14What happened?
40:15They were rubbish.
40:16That's what happened to them.
40:17Lazy, impertent.
40:19Some of them just handed in their notice and said they'd have their better off.
40:22No loyalty, no gratitude.
40:24I'm sorry father, I don't see where loyalty comes into it.
40:27Oh you don't?
40:29If you were free to sack them when they didn't suit, surely they were free to leave when you didn't suit.
40:34Well why didn't we suit?
40:35There was only the two of us.
40:36No noise, no dinner parties.
40:38One of...
40:39You won't believe this.
40:40One of them walked out because your mother decided to call her June instead of Jasmine.
40:45How could you call her Jasmine?
40:47Most unsuitable.
40:48Her parents should have had more sense.
40:50Perhaps they didn't realise they were christening a domestic servant.
40:54Very well Vera.
40:56I'd like to see how you'd handle the problem.
40:59We must pay higher wages for a start.
41:02Oh yes.
41:03Where's the money coming from?
41:04Oh father.
41:05You and mother have chosen to live in a flat twice as big as you need.
41:09Which means twice the expense and twice the work.
41:11Now you grudge paying a girl to cope with it.
41:13I've got hospital expenses.
41:15You've paid through the nose to put mother into a Harley Street nursing home
41:19which has nothing to commend it except a good address.
41:22Half of what you pay out in fees will go to hire some extra help.
41:26For one really reliable girl then mother could come home.
41:32Well...
41:33If you think that's best.
41:35I know it is.
41:36I'm gonna get her out of there as soon as I can.
41:40They've got no incentive to get her back on her feet.
41:42They're doing jolly well out of her.
41:44Yes that's true.
41:46You know Vera we won't need any extra help now that you're home for good.
41:51I'm not home for good.
41:53What do you mean?
41:55I'm here to deal with a crisis.
41:57I'm not home for good.
41:59But your mother and I took it for granted.
42:03Good heavens Vera I thought it explained all this.
42:08The thing's proving too much for us.
42:11It just doesn't make any sense for you to be away looking after total strangers
42:14that we're left here all on our own.
42:16Well I'm sorry.
42:20Well I just don't know what this is going to do to your poor mother.
42:23We'll just have to keep it from her as long as we can that's all.
42:26No father I do not lie to her and I will not be put in a false position.
42:31If I stayed on she'd hand over everything to me and become a permanent invalid.
42:34She's not yet fifty.
42:37Neither of you are old nor incapable and certainly not destitute.
42:42I shall tell her all this as soon as I get her home.
42:50Is it alright?
42:51Well that was quite nice.
42:54What was in it?
42:56Carrots, onions, pale barley, meat.
43:00Well what will you do about Sunday?
43:02I haven't touched the rations yet.
43:04That was rabbit.
43:05Rabbit?
43:06Oh.
43:07Vera.
43:09You ate it anyway.
43:14Did you manage to get any jam?
43:16No sorry.
43:17Oh no.
43:18That's four weeks running.
43:19Where did you try for heaven's sake?
43:20I tried.
43:21Four shops and there was no jam.
43:23Anyway I've done better than jam.
43:24I found a girl and I think she'll do.
43:27Her name is Bessie and she'll be here at 2.30.
43:29A mother.
43:30Please please try to be nice to her.
43:33What's wrong with her?
43:35There's nothing wrong with her.
43:38Well her accent you won't like.
43:40She clumps about rather.
43:42But listen.
43:43She's honest, she's willing, she's hard-working and she can cook.
43:46The Fergusons are only parting with her because they're going back to Ireland.
43:48The Fergusons?
43:49The ones that keep that little shoot.
43:51I know, I know.
43:52Their standards are not your standards.
43:54But next week when you go to stay with Grandmother I'll start training her.
43:58And when you come back from Pearlie you'll see she does everything the way you like it done.
44:02Yes.
44:03You'll soon have everything running like clockwork.
44:05She'll have to be very different from the other three then.
44:08Mother please try to get on with her.
44:10It only needs a little bit of give and take.
44:12Well.
44:13So long as she doesn't sniff.
44:15I do draw the line at that.
44:17I wish you'd sit down Vera.
44:18I wish you'd sit down Vera.
44:43Any message for your mother?
44:50Yes.
44:51I could say that Bessie got four pounds of sugar on Wednesday.
44:57I've said that.
44:59I'm wondering whether to keep this open till tomorrow.
45:04In case we get a letter from Edward in the morning.
45:05Yes if you like.
45:06Because he wrote on the 12th didn't he?
45:11He's often gone as long as this without writing.
45:12When he was in France.
45:14Yes.
45:15I could mention to you mother that the mail's been delayed.
45:16I shouldn't say anything at all if I were you.
45:17I'm wondering whether to keep this open till tomorrow.
45:18I'm wondering whether to keep this open till tomorrow.
45:19In case we get a letter from Edward in the morning.
45:22Yes if you like.
45:23Because he wrote on the 12th didn't he?
45:26He's often gone as long as this without writing.
45:31When he was in France.
45:34Yes.
45:35I could mention to you mother that the mail's been delayed.
45:43I shouldn't say anything at all if I were you.
45:46She's probably never even heard of the Italian campaign.
45:49Since she's been ill she hardly ever opens a newspaper.
45:53Perhaps that's best.
45:57I'll send it as it is.
46:02We posted the papers.
46:05To Edward.
46:07To the spectator and...
46:10Saturday review.
46:12You usually send them on Sunday don't you?
46:15No.
46:17They're still in my room.
46:21I'll wrap them now.
46:29It's quite obvious to me that if anything...
46:32It happened...
46:34We'd have heard days ago.
46:37They never leave it as long as this.
46:41No they don't.
46:52I wonder who that can be.
46:53No.
46:54No.
46:55No.
46:56No.
47:01Telegram for you miss.
47:03No reply.
47:04Thank you miss.
47:05No reply.
47:06No reply.
47:07Thank you miss.
47:08No reply.
47:09Thank you miss.
47:10No reply.
47:15Thank you, Miss.
48:10Father, we'd better go to Pearlie.
48:17You must go and tell Mother.
48:28Suddenly, night crushed out the day
48:31and hurled her remnants over cloud peaks, thunder-walled.
48:36Then fell a stillness such as harks appalled
48:43when far-gone-dead return upon the world.
48:46There I watched for the dead, but no ghost woke.
48:54Each one whom life exiled, I named and called.
49:01But they were all too far, or dumbed, or thralled.
49:09And never one fared back to me, or spoke.
49:15Edward.
49:23Edward.
49:27Edward.
49:28Edward.
49:30Yes, I can find you a placement.
49:33But it will have to be in this country.
49:35I thought they were crying out for nurses willing to go overseas.
49:40I've had extensive experience.
49:41I know.
49:43I'm sorry.
49:44I know for a fact they're sending out VADs with no experience at all of emergency nursing.
49:50It'll take months of training to get them up to standard, whereas I'm already trained.
49:53I'm sorry, Nurse Britton, but that's the rule.
49:55There's no point in discussing it.
49:57I don't understand.
49:58The last time I...
49:59The last time when you left Walter, you were released.
50:03On the second occasion, you broke your contract.
50:05That's a very different matter.
50:06There was no option. I had no choice.
50:07I'm afraid that doesn't affect the position.
50:11Does this mean I'll never be allowed overseas again?
50:14No.
50:15It merely means you will be treated as a new entrant.
50:19You'll be required to begin with the initial period of grounding in a civilian hospital,
50:22as you would do if you had never served at all.
50:28I'm going to go right to the very beginning.
50:31Go through all that again.
50:34It's your decision.
50:51Sister.
50:51Yes?
50:52I've finished, sister.
50:53What do you mean?
50:54Everything's ready for the night staff.
50:56I fail to see how everything can be ready, as you put it,
50:59when Nurse Greenaway reported ill less than an hour ago with influenza.
51:03Yes, I know.
51:04I've done most of her jobs as well as my own.
51:06I hope you didn't attempt to touch the dressings.
51:09No, sister.
51:10I am aware that VADs are not allowed to touch the dressings.
51:14But everything else has been attended to.
51:17It is still only seven minutes to eight.
51:19You can polish the wheelchairs.
51:25Certainly, sister.
51:25I say, Britton, have you had an invitation to have coffee with the bishop's wife?
51:33I say, Britton, have you had an invitation to have coffee with the bishop's wife?
51:37I say, Britton, have you had an invitation to have coffee with the bishop's wife?
51:55Yes.
51:56Oh, good.
51:57I'll call for you, then.
51:58We can go up together.
51:59No, we can't.
52:00Why not?
52:02Because I've sent a respectful note declining the invitation.
52:06Well, moderately respectful.
52:07I thought it was supposed to be some sort of honour.
52:11No doubt.
52:13I doubt it's also an honour
52:14that he lets us occupy those pokey little bedrooms
52:17in the servants' quarters of his ecclesiastical mansion
52:19and lets us take it in turn to queue up
52:22in one dingy basement bathroom with never enough hot water.
52:26I feel even more honoured
52:29if he let us use those empty bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs
52:32that we're not considered fit to enter.
52:37But nursing is a holy vocation, isn't it?
52:39So why not throw in a little mortification of the flesh
52:42to make us holier still?
52:44Good Lord, you're really not coming.
52:47I mean, seriously, I think we're expected to turn up.
52:51There was a time I had to come with you.
52:53I just sat there meekly smiling
52:55and listening to my elders and batters
52:57and I'd have felt very romantic
52:59and moved and grateful
53:00while he told me about my duty
53:02to my God and my King and my country.
53:04Well, in the last four years
53:06my God and my King and my country
53:09have stripped me of everything I ever cared for
53:12and everything I ever hoped for
53:14and if he tried to tell me
53:15that I owe any of them anything
53:17I might throw something at him.
53:18So no, I'm not coming with you.
53:20I'm not listening to that rubbish.
53:22Never again.
53:25I'm not listening to that rubbish.
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