Follows the terrible trials of life in the trenches of the Western Front and the horrors of Gallipoli. The Thomas family are scattered across Europe and the Mediterranean, The Stewart-Murrays try to continue the heritage of noblesse oblige, but soon realise that world has gone forever. The miners and mill-workers of Burnley are still preparing to contribute to the cause, while their wives confront the reality of war head-on. Londoners, Maurice and Harry, two Old Contemptibles from the Royal Fusiliers, fight on.