In A Family at War Season 1, Episode 10 – One of Ours, loyalties are tested as war continues to reshape the lives of the Ashton family. With tensions rising at home and loved ones serving abroad, difficult choices must be made. As the lines between duty and personal conviction blur, the cost of war hits closer to home. A powerful chapter in this classic WWII British drama.
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00:00This is the first time I was born to be a child.
00:07I was born to be a child.
00:12I was born to be a child.
00:19I was born to be a child.
00:26Pull your finger out, Smithy.
00:41Well, I'm doing me best.
00:42I've seemed to have been sitting here a week.
00:44I wouldn't care if you were paying.
00:50Come on.
00:52All right, give her a go now, then.
00:56Success!
01:00Who's a clever little lad, then?
01:02No!
01:06What's the program, then?
01:08Seven o'clock outside the mess, as per usual?
01:10Suits me.
01:11Oh, sorry, lads.
01:11You'll have to count me out.
01:12I'm busy tonight.
01:13Doing what?
01:14Well, I've got a date.
01:16You what?
01:17Sort of.
01:17Of course you've got a date.
01:19Down at the Turks' Head with us.
01:21Saturday night, it's traditional.
01:23What is known as an old Air Force custom.
01:27Next week, Apon.
01:29I'd better go and get cleaned up.
01:34He's sloping off a lot lately.
01:37Oh, on is Jack Jones.
01:38So who's he fallen in love with all of a sudden?
01:51Haven't a clue.
01:52But I'm going to make it my business to find out.
01:55He took the old passion wagon into town on Monday.
01:58And to get on Wednesday.
01:59And we weren't welcome.
02:01I think I'll make a few judicious inquiries.
02:05I take a very poor view, Ken.
02:08Flying crews should stick together.
02:10Besides, if he doesn't come with us tonight,
02:12who's going to play the old Joanna?
02:14One elevenpence a halfpenny yard for this.
02:32I don't know how they dare.
02:35Hmm?
02:36This.
02:38One elevenpence a halfpenny.
02:40Still, it's time we did the bedrooms properly.
02:43Shh!
02:49No.
02:50Ah, sorry.
02:51I thought I heard baby.
02:52It's such a lovely day.
02:54You ought to be out there with him.
02:55I've almost forgotten what the garden looks like,
02:57except at night.
02:59You've been driving yourself too hard lately.
03:02Go on.
03:03Go and get some fresh air.
03:05Your father can help me with this when he comes in.
03:07When?
03:08You know, I don't know what he did
03:10with all his spare time before the war.
03:11Well, two nights fire-watching at the works last week.
03:15A night at the first aid post.
03:17Why doesn't he just join the ARP?
03:20I think he likes to be a little ARP on his own.
03:24Help Mr. Fiddler at the post when he feels able.
03:28Well, we're keeping our end up according to today's paper.
03:32Are we?
03:32The British Housewife.
03:35Go on, have a breather and take a look.
03:38Where?
03:38I left it open at the page.
03:41Oh!
03:41Oh, this.
03:46What do I do if my job is that of housewife and mother?
03:50I remember this is a war job too.
03:54Not likely to forget, are we, with butter down to two ounces?
03:57And it gets better.
03:58I shop with special care.
04:01I waste nothing.
04:03I save paper, tins and bones.
04:05I keep myself and my house trim and tidy.
04:08And it's being so cheerful as keeps us going.
04:11In this way I may not be winning any medals,
04:13but I am certainly helping to win the war.
04:16Here.
04:20Did you see how many planes our boys shot down yesterday?
04:25185.
04:27That's the most so far, isn't it?
04:30They're the heroes.
04:37I'd feel a lot more heroic if I could get a good night's sleep.
04:40Or even half a night.
04:43Well, she'll have to ease up a little next weekend anyway.
04:46All of us.
04:48If David manages to get home.
04:50Well, he doesn't seem to have been trying that hard
04:52since the kids have been evacuated.
04:54Oh, now, love, that's not true.
04:58Sheila said she was coming round tonight in case he telephoned.
05:00He said he might on the postcard.
05:02Might?
05:06I don't suppose he gets much opportunity these days.
05:16Well, what can't speak can't lie.
05:35Oh, good evening.
05:44I'm the warden, won't you come in?
05:47In here, please.
05:48This is my office.
05:49Doesn't deserve you.
05:56I beg your pardon?
05:57Too Dickensian.
05:59Like Mr. Squeers or something.
06:00You're strictly 20th century.
06:02Oh, thank you.
06:03Yes, it is rather oppressive, I suppose, on first sight.
06:06Building used to house an insurance company till they cleared out.
06:09They're up in Yorkshire now at some spa or other.
06:11Run, rabbit, run.
06:12I don't think the directors were too concerned about personnel.
06:16They were keen to preserve the records.
06:19Sorry to crash in on you without warning, Miss...
06:21Reynolds.
06:23This is David Ashton.
06:24I'm Kenneth Beaumont.
06:25We're looking for a stray wireless op called Smith.
06:28It's Saturday night and he's deserted us.
06:30Walter Smith?
06:31Oh, yes.
06:33One of his opposing signals tells me he comes here quite a bit.
06:37What's old Smithy doing attending a study centre?
06:39Should have thought he was past redemption.
06:40I take it he's a friend of yours?
06:46Right.
06:47He's been with us going on six months.
06:49Dave the Navigator, Smiths the Sparks.
06:50We were France together.
06:52Oh, no military secrets, please.
06:54Surely if you know him so well, he must have told you.
06:57Doesn't talk much about himself.
06:59No, he's usually too busy when he's out with us playing the old piano.
07:02The one thing he really shines at.
07:03Either Morton and Davy Kaye all rolled into one.
07:06I think he's got his sights set on something beyond dance music.
07:08Now he's on a settled posting.
07:11He wants to try for school certificate.
07:14If he stays in East Anglia long enough.
07:16School cert?
07:17Doesn't he know there's a war on?
07:19Well, that needn't prevent us planning for the future, Mr Ashton.
07:23Isn't that what war is all about?
07:25One up to you, Warden.
07:26Anyway, we want Smithy with us tonight.
07:30It's Saturday and all work and no play.
07:31I couldn't interrupt him while he's studying.
07:33Well, I could.
07:35What's more, I'm in a position to give him orders.
07:39How very fortunate for you.
07:41He's in the quiet room at the end of the corridor.
07:44Excuse me.
07:46You stay and keep the warden company.
07:48I suppose as pilot, he's the captain of your crew.
07:53That's right.
07:55When Ken says jump, you jump.
07:57If you're in Air Force uniform.
08:01A cigarette?
08:02No, not for me, thanks.
08:03You go ahead.
08:07So what's Smithy studying?
08:10Oh, he wants to teach eventually art subjects.
08:13He has a great feeling for history.
08:14Did you say your name was Reynolds?
08:20Yes.
08:21You wouldn't be...
08:23Jack Reynolds was my husband, yes.
08:26I was navigator on the same crew.
08:29Yes, I recognised the name.
08:33Why did we say?
08:35We were talking about Smithy, weren't we?
08:37I was, uh...
08:44I was on leave that night, you know.
08:46I'd missed my pencil hand off.
08:48You know, I'd fell off a bike.
08:51I'm sorry.
08:52It sounds like an excuse, doesn't it?
08:54An excuse for being alive when Jack isn't.
08:57You don't have to excuse that to me, Sergeant.
09:00What do you take me for?
09:02I'm sorry.
09:03Have you been here long?
09:09Since a week before, I took the job so that I could be near the base.
09:14Are you staying?
09:16I don't know.
09:18Perhaps.
09:20Look, uh...
09:21We'll use it, the Turks said, if you ever...
09:24Well, you know.
09:27Jack was a mate of mine.
09:30Yes, I know.
09:30Oh, hello, Sheena.
09:43Hello, Frida.
09:44What are you up to?
09:45Going out, if I ever get round to it.
09:47I'm fixing screens upstairs.
09:51Is that you, Sheena?
09:52Yeah, I'll be with you in a minute.
09:54Hey, come on, don't be so independent.
09:56You get off all the quicker.
09:58Oh, I wish I could go gadding off out.
10:00Don't do a lot of gadding off, Sheila.
10:03Oh, I'm sorry.
10:04I only spoke in...
10:05Look, tomorrow, day of rest.
10:07I'll be up all night fire-watching the hotel.
10:09Tonight, just for a change.
10:10I'm going to the theatre.
10:11First time in ages.
10:12That's your idea of writer's living, is it?
10:14There's no need to bite my head off.
10:16Well, as long as we know.
10:18Hey, Frida, what have I done?
10:20Look, I reckon I make better use of my leisure time than some I could mention.
10:24I don't know what you mean.
10:25Don't you?
10:26Oh, no, come on, Frida.
10:27If you've got something to say, you say it.
10:29Hello, Sheila, love.
10:30Your baby's crying.
10:31Oh, do you wonder?
10:33Excuse me, love.
10:34It's okay.
10:35Now, come on, come on.
10:36Out with it.
10:37I'm sorry I'm late.
10:41Hello, Sheila.
10:42Nice to see you, love.
10:43Hey, what's up with Frida?
10:45Oh, I don't know.
10:46We're all at six and sevens lately.
10:48I put it down to lack of sleep.
10:50Well, none of us are getting much sleep.
10:52There's no need to take it out on me.
10:53Oh, I don't suppose she meant it.
10:56Come on.
10:57Come in and sit down, eh?
10:59I don't suppose David will be ringing yet a while.
11:02Come on, now.
11:02Well, it's nice to see a friend you say something.
11:04To your wet-footed friends
11:07For a duck may be somebody's mother
11:12She lives all alone in a swamp
11:15Where the weather is cold and damp
11:19You may think that this is the end
11:23Well, it is!
11:26This pommy beer, it'll be the death of me.
11:29Binding again, always binding.
11:30I mean it, Squire.
11:32Griping way down here in the guts.
11:33Load of flannel.
11:34He's just trying to get around pain.
11:35That's what it is.
11:36It's your turn next, Lofty.
11:37We'll go on the shots, if you like.
11:39You wouldn't chuckle.
11:40Hey, look who just dropped in
11:41Over there by the bar, talking to Bessie.
11:42Smithy's very godmother.
11:44Must be slumming.
11:45Well, it's just what this party needs.
11:47A bit of tone.
11:48What tone?
11:49Dave's going in a bit tonight.
12:01Yes, he was rather smitten by that
12:02Toffee-nosed friend of yours.
12:03Oh, the bevy I'm talking about, not the skirt.
12:06Oh, it must be drowning your sorrows.
12:08He's got a trouble at home lately with the kids.
12:10His wife, you mean?
12:11Well, last I heard, they weren't speaking.
12:13Let that be a lesson to you.
12:14Never get married.
12:15Well, I don't know.
12:17To get a lot more compassionate, leave.
12:18He wanted them evacuated, and his wife didn't.
12:21Funny thing to fall out over.
12:23Oh, they've been falling out for years.
12:25You don't tell me all his private life.
12:27Get some in.
12:29Dave reserves his confidences for flight sergeants and above.
12:32Aye, poor down-trodden sergeants.
12:33Only good enough to borrow money from.
12:35Been tapping you again, has he?
12:37Oh, skip it.
12:39Anyway, I don't have to drink to forget my allowances.
12:41It helps.
12:42Besides, everybody buys pints for the pianist.
12:44I'll never get through this long.
12:45On your feet, Tyrone.
12:49Say hello to a real lady for a change.
12:52Oh, no offence, I'm sure.
12:54Hey, she didn't want to come at first.
12:56In for a dig?
12:56No, not at all.
12:59Ah, this, believe it or not, is our co-pilot, Lofty Turner.
13:03Lofty Turner.
13:04Meet Susan Reynolds.
13:06Delighted.
13:06Would you care to death?
13:07Ah, thank you.
13:08No, I've only popped in to organise a few refreshments for our social next week.
13:12And I hope you'll all be coming.
13:13Only on condition that you'll have a drink with us first.
13:15Oh, I shouldn't really.
13:16Well, my spies tell me there's some secret scotch under the bar.
13:19All right, just a little more.
13:20Plenty of something.
13:21I'll be right back.
13:22Well, you've arrived at the psychological moment.
13:27Lofty is just about to do his turn.
13:29Oh, Skip.
13:30You've never seen anything like it.
13:31Oh, not tonight.
13:32I don't feel in the mood.
13:33Tonight and every night.
13:34Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, if you please.
13:37Oh, thank you.
13:37Oh, thank you.
13:38Oh, thank you.
13:38Oh, thank you.
13:39Oh, thank you.
13:41Oh, thank you.
13:42Oh, thank you.
13:42Oh, here we go.
13:43Oh, here we go.
13:45Come on, you can do it.
13:46Oh, thank you.
13:47Oh, thank you.
13:48Oh, thank you for a pint.
13:49Once a jolly swagman came by a billabomb
13:54Under the shade of a coolabar tree
13:58And he sang as he watched
14:00And waited till his billy boiled
14:03You'll come a-waltzing Matilda
14:06Here we go, everybody!
14:07Waltzing Matilda
14:09Waltzing Matilda
14:11You'll come a-waltzing Matilda
14:15Well, we are a set of bright, young things, aren't we?
14:20Waltzing Matilda
14:22You'll come a-waltzing Matilda
14:24And he sang as he watched
14:27And waited till his billy boiled
14:29We'll come a-waltzing Matilda
14:30Scotch is not for a pint, I'm afraid
14:32Is that all right?
14:33Yes, of course. Cheers!
14:35Good help.
14:36Waltzing Matilda
14:39Well, we are a set of bright, young things, aren't we?
14:47I'm beginning to hate Saturday nights
14:49Someone once said
14:51What was it?
14:54Silence propagates itself
14:56Sam Johnson
14:57Was it?
14:59He always was one of my blind spots
15:00I must have read it somewhere
15:03The longer talk has been suspended
15:08The harder it is to find anything to say
15:10You're right about Saturday night, though
15:14Mind you, David loves Saturday night
15:17He always did
15:18Saturday night down the pub
15:21Wouldn't miss it for anything in the old days
15:23Well, if you'll excuse me
15:26I'll just take this lot upstairs to air
15:27Sheila
15:32David's got a very dangerous job these days, love
15:37You must bear with him if he seems a bit
15:40Well, you know, a bit forgetful
15:42I know
15:44That's what I keep telling myself
15:45But, you know, since the kids went away
15:48And now that they've rehoused my mum and dad
15:50I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for the nappy
15:52Yes, it's hard for women with families
15:56This war
15:57Expecting us to put a brave face on it
16:01You know
16:01Act like normal
16:03It's asking too much
16:05Coming back with us?
16:13Nope
16:13Well, Reynolds
16:15Thought she'd gone off home
16:18Powder in her nose
16:19Didn't think blue stockings were much in your line
16:23Educated women can be pretty sharp, you know
16:25You know who she is, don't you?
16:29A warden at the study centre
16:30Jack Greville's wife
16:32Oh
16:34Two and two make four
16:37Sorry, I thought you were up to your old tricks
16:40And I call you mate
16:43Come along now
16:44Dime gentlemen, please
16:45Come along
16:46Dime gentlemen
16:47Now, come along
16:47Come along
16:48Right there
16:48Your appreciation of good music, sonful
16:50Come on, Paderewski
16:52Time for beddy, boys
16:53Do you know that London, England is 12,000 miles from Melbourne, Australia
16:57And your beer tastes as though it crawled in all the way
17:00Come on, Anki
17:01Flat on its belt
17:02Come on, Lofty
17:03Come on
17:04Good night, son
17:06Good night
17:07Good night, Mrs. Reynolds
17:09Good night
17:09All right
17:13Good night
17:14Good night
17:15Good night
17:16Good night
17:17Good night
17:17You sure you won't stay and have a bite of supper with us, love?
17:21No thanks, Mum
17:22Thanks all the same
17:24Don't take it to heart, love
17:26He's... he's probably flying
17:28Couldn't help it, really
17:30Give him the benefit of the doubt, eh?
17:34What, forget it isn't the first time, you mean?
17:37Try
17:37Could you?
17:49Sheila, good night, then
17:50Mind how you go
17:56You can put the light on now
18:03Don't tell me you eat and sleep here as well
18:13Have a little flat on the top floor
18:15Well, it's more of an attic, really
18:17It's simple, but it's home, eh?
18:20We had a house near Purley
18:22Sold it when I took this job
18:24At least I won't have to go back there
18:27A cigarette?
18:29No, thanks
18:29I've had more than my ration this evening
18:31You smoke far too much
18:37A short life and a gay one
18:41It's getting late
18:44Oh, I almost forgot
18:47Here's what you came for
18:49A copy of our prospectus
18:50Oh, you've driven it out of my mind
18:52Thanks a lot
18:54And here's a list of our more important books
18:56We don't normally cover subjects like shipbuilding and marine engineering
19:00Aren't they the same thing, by the way?
19:02Yeah, I suppose they are
19:04Well, I'll make some inquiries
19:07If you're really interested
19:09Oh, yes, I'm interested
19:10My brother Phil, he went to Oxford, you know
19:14You told me
19:17Yeah, I want something better than I had before when this lot's over
19:22Jack used to say that
19:25He had a mild sort of thing about me having a degree
19:30Anyway, perhaps we can help you
19:34That's what we're here for
19:36Hey, did Sheely get a phone call?
19:39No, David didn't ring, apparently
19:41Weren't you here?
19:42No, I skipped longer than I thought at the meeting
19:44Well, it might brighten her ideas
19:47After she gets some of her own medicine
19:48What does that mean?
19:51Oh, nothing
19:52I spoke too soon
19:53Come on
19:54Well, Margaret thinks I'm up the wall
19:57And?
19:59I went round there the other day
20:01She wasn't in
20:02That funny neighbour
20:03The one who wears a man's cap
20:04Told me she'd gone out with a chap
20:06Oh?
20:07He calls for it every day in a van
20:09It seems
20:09Well, I suppose people have to find somebody to talk about
20:12Well, this neighbour said they went to the pictures on Wednesday afternoon
20:16How'd she know?
20:17Search me
20:17I didn't want to encourage her
20:18Pretend I knew all about it
20:19Well, Sheila must be lonely
20:21The kid's going off
20:22Yes, but she's married, Dad
20:24To our David
20:26Well, what do you think?
20:28Well, you go snooping
20:29Find these things out
20:30And I'm supposed to come up with the answer
20:31I'm not the oracle, you know
20:33Being David
20:35I might have understood it
20:36But I don't see it in Sheila somehow
20:38That's a fine way to talk about your own son
20:41I don't mean it like that
20:42War does funny things to people, love
20:45That's all, enough of it in the last slot
20:47Take a man away from his home
20:49Teach him to fight
20:50Turn all his standards upside down
20:52What can you expect?
20:55Makes you wonder
20:56What?
20:58What did you do in the Great War, Daddy?
21:01You mind your own blinking business
21:02And off to bed with you
21:03Ahem
21:04Oh
21:06Night, night, Dad
21:10Night, night, Lord
21:10Are you often in trouble?
21:24Not that kind
21:25But you have been
21:27I'm with the best crew on the squadron
21:29Nobody clobbers beef or bacon
21:31Ah, so it doesn't worry you
21:33And even if it did
21:34You could put it out of your mind
21:36You'd be able to
21:37Oh, we've had the odd cold sweat
21:40You know, everybody has
21:41Especially in the old days
21:44When Smithy was shooting wild
21:46Smithy?
21:47Yeah
21:48We're all right
21:49We've got a 100% rare gunner now
21:51Who concentrates on targets
21:52Smithy used to take pot shots
21:55At his own shadow
21:55I thought he was a wireless operator
21:58Yeah, well, we had to double up on Blenheims
22:00He was wireless op AG
22:02But now they've made it a specialist trade
22:04Oh, poor Smithy
22:05Did he mind?
22:06Oh, he was tickled pink
22:07It means he can keep his mind on his morse key
22:09That's the way we like it
22:11I don't think he's cut out to be a killer
22:12We spend a lot of time wondering
22:14What he is cut out to be
22:16And you?
22:18Me
22:19Do you enjoy the life?
22:23It's a living
22:23A living?
22:26I did it for the money, love
22:28The job
22:29I didn't have one at the time
22:31Oh
22:32I'm sorry
22:33You wanted me to say it was patriotism
22:36Or something, didn't you?
22:39Jack believed it was a struggle
22:40Between the good and the evil
22:41Like Churchill said
22:43You know, the end of civilization
22:45As we know it
22:46I need to believe that too
22:48But you don't
22:50I'm not sure
22:52I always look for the greys
22:54I don't trust black and white
22:55There's nothing to be ashamed of
22:57In the call of duty
22:58That's what boys like you thought in 1914
23:01And it led straight to Gallipoli and the Somme
23:04Well, I just think that Jack was probably right, that's all
23:09Thank you
23:11Let's see what we can do about your post-war career, shall we?
23:16Relax, gentlemen, carry on smoking
23:26Where the devil's Lofty?
23:29He's late again
23:30He'd applauded six skipper
23:31He what?
23:31I thought he knew
23:32Right, chaps, it's a bit crowded in here, I know
23:39But we'll have to put up with it for the time being
23:41The briefing room's still US after that little weekend
23:44Little weekend
23:45I know, but don't let's knock the Ministry of Works too much
23:48Remember, they probably build the mills of God
23:51Settle down, chaps
23:52Right, now, your target for tonight
23:54Is the synthetic oil-producing plant at Magdeburg
23:58You disapprove, Light Sergeant Vermont?
24:00We had hoped it was our turn for a crack at Berlin, sir
24:03Especially after their show over London this past month
24:05The recent raids on the German capital were too expensive for our liking
24:09Well, they gave a damn good boost to public morale, sir
24:11Our job's not to keep up morale, it's to hit the enemy
24:13Concentrate on this, please
24:15The brown coal and benzene AG, our primary objective
24:21Consists of two atmospheric distillation units
24:24Producing petrol from coal
24:26With German resources in great demand
24:29And his communication lines spread out now all over Europe
24:31Command decision is to hit Jerry where it really hurts
24:34In his economy
24:36Industrial plant, aircraft factories, transport systems
24:39That's what we're after
24:40Berlin's term will come in due course
24:42When we've built up our striking force
24:44And that's a promise
24:46This is the BBC programme for the forties
24:51High gas
24:52Something on your mind?
25:00Should there be?
25:02You've been behaving as if you've got some batter's dance all the afternoon
25:05Not seftain, is it?
25:09Nothing wrong at the works?
25:11Not to my knowledge, no
25:13It isn't your brother, dear
25:15Then what is it?
25:19I've lost me specs
25:20Is all that's bothering you?
25:23For the moment, yes
25:24Down the side of the chair?
25:28You're absolutely right
25:39I want to know what you and Sam Down are arguing about
25:42Well, it's about our form
25:43It's up to you
25:46Without a co-pilot, you're perfectly entitled to stand off
25:49No one would blame you
25:50And B for Baker would never live it down
25:52Of course, there's a war on
25:54What if Lofty were to get back in time?
25:55Out of the question
25:56Suspected you at Dienel
25:57I couldn't possibly put him in the air in that state
26:00Well, then let's go
26:00Under our own steam, sir
26:01Time of crisis
26:03On-the-spot decision
26:04But I'm not sure a group would wear it
26:07Well, they trusted us
26:08All three of us
26:09Before the squadron was converted
26:10Remember, we've got good rear cover now
26:13Doesn't help a lot, does it?
26:14Some of the new intake
26:15Are a bit wet behind the ears
26:16How's your air gunner shaping up?
26:18Spot on
26:19We've got the pick of the bunch in, Douglas
26:20All right
26:22But you'd better get back
26:24Every man jack of you
26:25And that's an order
26:27Good luck
26:28I'll inform the crew
26:29Thank you, sir
26:30Right, Smithy, we've got the okay
26:38We'll be going in 15 minutes
26:39Oh, great
26:39Hey, Douglas, come on
26:46We'll be late
26:46We're airborne in 15 minutes
26:47I'm in trouble
26:53Look, give us that
26:54First love letter you've ever written
26:55What the hell's all this, sir?
26:57In case I don't get back tonight
26:59What the hell do you think you're playing at?
27:01Look, why don't you mind...
27:01Writing goodbye letters before a trip
27:03Don't you know better than that?
27:04I don't believe in all that money
27:05Never mind you, mate
27:06What about the rest of us?
27:11I'm sorry
27:11Look, you take my advice and burn it
27:17And don't go apologising to anyone about this
27:20They'll go right up the wall
27:21But look, Ken Beaumont, Dave
27:23They don't believe in all that muck, do they?
27:25No
27:26No, mate, no, none of us
27:28We just don't believe in taking chances
27:31We've been together for a long while
27:34Don't forget to clean your windows
27:46I don't like being shut out by my own family
28:03Not even for your own good
28:04Especially for my own good
28:08Well, as well you hear it from me, I suppose
28:11Otherwise it'll only come to you through the neighbours
28:13You know what a nosy lot they are
28:14It's Sheila
28:16What about her?
28:20Oh, they're saying that
28:21She's not missing David all that much
28:23That maybe she's found herself a bit of consolation
28:26Who is?
28:28Well, Freda picked up some gossip
28:30When she was around there the other day
28:31I know I shouldn't listen
28:33But you can't help hearing these stories
28:35The van driver at the Naffy
28:39You knew all the time
28:44I know he gives her a lift home occasionally
28:48I know she's asked him in once for a cup of tea
28:53I know they went to the pictures one night last week
28:56As a matter of fact, it was the Trocadero to see Rebecca
29:00You're in the wrong job, you know
29:03You should remustert to the Secret Service
29:05Very good film, according to Mrs Ironside
29:08I wouldn't mind seeing it myself
29:11I enjoyed the book
29:13Ironside?
29:15Mrs Ironside
29:18Sheila's supervisor
29:20I called in to see her one day last week, remember?
29:24I see, and she told you
29:26Yes
29:28So that's all right, isn't it?
29:31Is it?
29:33Yes, of course it is
29:34If there was anything going on
29:37She certainly wouldn't have told me
29:39And that's why you're happy
29:40That is why I'm not unhappy
29:46All set?
29:56Reagon at the pilot
29:57All okay
29:58Ready when you are, Skipper
30:00Dave?
30:06Hang on
30:09Trouble?
30:15Okay now
30:16Your first course is 064 magnetic
30:20Roger
30:36ETA in five minutes, Skipper
31:03Five minutes, Flats
31:04Five minutes, everybody stand by
31:07Hey, who's I finched my bacon sandwiches?
31:10Shut up, you lot
31:11Intercom check
31:14Reagon at the pilot
31:16Intercom okay
31:17Wireless opt-a-pilot
31:19Intercom okay
31:20Navigator to pilot
31:22Strength fiber
31:23Pilot to navigator
31:27Turning on 120 in three minutes
31:29120 in three minutes
31:32Well, I'm grateful for this anyway, Sheila
31:35Oh, there's been a nip in the air
31:38These last few nights
31:39Well, it's not as though I'll be needing it
31:41Christening shawls aren't in my line nowadays
31:44Oh, thanks, Mum
31:45I wonder if David'll phone, eh?
31:48We'll not hear it in here anyway, will we?
31:50Here go the guns
31:56All right, Mum
31:59Feet freezing as usual
32:02I wish old Anderson had sent out rubber flooring with his shelters
32:07Well, it was you that asked Philip and Dad to bail it out
32:10We were all right under the stairs, weren't we?
32:15How's the baby, eh?
32:17Settling
32:18It seems an awful thing to say, but I think he's getting used to it
32:22Kids
32:24They're the ones I'm sorry for
32:27You can't even tell them
32:29Not at that age
32:30I did my best with Peter and Janet
32:33But I don't think they understood
32:35They couldn't grasp it
32:37You'll never persuade a kid
32:39It's a good thing to go away from home
32:41Oh, listen
32:45They're getting earlier
32:53The nights are drawing in
33:00How's it looking, Doug?
33:02Quiet as the grave
33:03Clot
33:04Perhaps no-one told them we were coming
33:09You'll be lucky
33:11Right, turning in
33:13080, 080
33:191-1-5, 1-1-5
33:23On calls
33:25How long have we got?
33:27Target up in two minutes
33:29Pinpoint in two minutes
33:31Check course
33:321-2-0
33:34Over
33:341-2-0
33:36Correct
33:36Over
33:37Bang on
33:38Do your stuff, Dave
33:39It'll be a pleasure, Skip
33:41Climbing
33:43Climbing
33:465,000
33:565,500
34:006,000
34:04And she looks marvellous
34:07All spread out and waiting
34:10Lit up like a Christmas tree
34:12Snappers in the rear
34:15Three of them
34:15Look like ME109s
34:17See him off, Doug
34:18Got the busted
34:24Shot him down in flames
34:26Bomb doors open
34:29Prepare to bomb
34:316,600
34:366,400
34:40Over to you, David
34:426,000
34:446,200
34:45Leveling out at 6,000
34:50Hold her as she goes
34:53Left
34:56Left
34:59Steady
35:01Holding cross
35:03Right a bit
35:04Steady
35:06Coming up now
35:10Steady
35:13Bomb's gone
35:16Well, I'd like it cleared up tonight
35:20Otherwise, I shan't come round here again
35:23Don't talk like that
35:24No, I mean it
35:25Now, please, Mum
35:27You've always been straight with me
35:28People are
35:34Talking about you
35:36And that
35:36That manner gives you a lift sometimes
35:38What, Bob O'Connell?
35:42If that's his name
35:43Yes
35:44Look
35:47He gives me a lift home from the naffy now and again
35:51Because I get tired
35:52And I like a chat
35:55Particularly with somebody who's
35:57A bit left out and on their own
35:59Like I am
36:00I went to the pictures with him last week
36:03As a matter of fact
36:04Why shouldn't I?
36:06Didn't amount to anything
36:08It certainly meant no harm
36:09It's
36:11It's what it might lead to, love
36:14That's it
36:15How do I know what David gets up to
36:18When he's away from me?
36:21What about that letter I had?
36:23Letter?
36:25It's funny
36:26You'd think wrong of me
36:29But never of him, would you?
36:30That's not true
36:31I suppose you think you know him better than anybody does
36:34I used to think I did
36:37I suppose most mothers like to think that about their sons
36:42I hope I'm not stupid enough to believe I couldn't be wrong
36:47You
36:50You said something about a letter
36:53Oh, it was nothing
36:55Just something a crank wrote
36:59About David?
37:02I wonder if you'd have believed it
37:04What did it say?
37:07No, I'm sorry
37:10I shouldn't have mentioned it
37:12It's all forgotten
37:13It's all in the past
37:15She wore a little jacket of blue
37:24She kept that little jacket of blue
37:27And all the sailors knew
37:30Navigates to pilot
37:31English coast up on port side
37:34Turning in
37:35Wireless off to pilot
37:37You want a fix from home?
37:39Better have
37:40Keep the windcoe happy
37:41I'll help you, chum
37:47Right over the bloody side
37:48If you don't wrap up
37:48Don't be like that
37:50It was a good trip, wasn't it?
37:52Not over yet
37:53Keep your eyes skinned
37:55Rear gunner to pilot
37:56Message received and understood
37:58Sir
37:59I spy with my little eye
38:02Heritage ahead
38:04QDM 225 at 1500
38:13225, 1500
38:17QDM 225, check
38:20265, 265
38:23255
38:26Where the devil's that coming from?
38:31It must be our own shore batteries
38:33Hours?
38:35Hit the clouds
38:36Up and over
38:37Banking
38:38Banking
38:39260
38:40265
38:42Those powers
38:47No panic
38:47Steady, all of you
38:48Starboard engine
38:50Look to starboard
38:51Feathering
38:54Feathering
38:55Fire extinguisher button
38:57Everything under control
39:01Crew check
39:02Rear gunner to pilot
39:04Rear gunner to
39:05Rear gunner
39:05Rear gunner
39:07Pilot to rear gunner
39:09Pilot to rear gunner
39:11Pilot to rear gunner
39:11Douglas?
39:14His intercom's gone
39:22Maybe he's pulled his plugs
39:24See what's happening Dave
39:28Smithies go in
39:31I said you
39:32Christ
39:41We're on fire
39:43I said you were
39:58I thought you were
40:12I thought you were
40:13Helping out at the post
40:15I was
40:15Had a good sleep
40:18Goodness
40:19I'm stiff though
40:21Where is everybody?
40:25In the house
40:25The old cook
40:26Clear's just gone
40:27The girls are putting
40:29The kettle on
40:30Oh dear
40:33I hope
40:33Frieda's not being nasty
40:35To Sheila
40:36Oh she wouldn't be like that love
40:37She hasn't been very nice
40:40All the same
40:40Well we've all been a bit
40:42Tired and naughty
40:43These past few weeks
40:44Have we?
40:47Except you of course
40:49I think I'll
40:53Risk under the stairs
40:54If there's a
40:55Raid tonight
40:56Bring the rug will you?
40:59Yes I better bring the cushions too
41:01Otherwise I'll get dumped
41:02Hey
41:04Don't forget your marriage lines
41:06Oh
41:07You sick it
41:08Got it
41:09I wonder what our David was up to last night
41:18225
41:22225
41:27Dead on course
41:29What's the good word Smitty?
41:34Flames are out
41:35Must have started in hydraulics
41:38Smaller and a bit still
41:41But I can muster it
41:43What about Doug?
41:48Bring him forward can you?
41:50It's no good Skip
41:51There's a hole in the flooring back there
41:54And it's a mile wide
41:55Smitty
41:56Can you get him out of the turret?
41:59Waste of time
42:02I can see him now
42:04Half his head's gone
42:07Blown off
42:11Come back
42:18Get back forward
42:20Poor old Douglas
42:22Frog
42:23You know what his trouble was
42:26Don't you?
42:27Eh?
42:29He wrote too many letters
42:31I tried to tell him
42:33He wrote too many bloody letters
42:37Dave
42:41I'm in our tea range now
42:45They can talk me down from here
42:46No Skipper
42:48He's a cake
42:49Get him out
42:51But Ken
42:52Move
42:53Hello Ripper
42:54Hello Ripper
42:55This is B for Baker 2 calling
42:57B for Baker 2
42:58Are you receiving?
43:02Spinning!
43:04Spinning!
43:05Must be the battery
43:29Did you leave it switched on?
43:31Hey
43:33I'm not carting you upstairs
43:36Don't you think you ought to be ashamed of yourself?
43:39Oh dad
43:40We've been up half the night
43:41Oh
43:42I mean about Sheila
43:43Why?
43:44Now don't bring me into this
43:46Well I think she's acting bloody daft
43:49And that's all there is to it
43:50And don't you use language like that in front of me my girl
43:53Alright I'm sorry
43:55But how do you know?
43:56Isn't it?
43:59Well of course it is
44:01I told our David the last time he was home that she'd never let him down
44:05And I don't think she will
44:07Never's a big word love
44:09I don't think she will either
44:11But if we start treating it like a fait accompli
44:13Yes I know
44:14And you're right
44:16Alright but what about this fella she went to the pictures with then?
44:19His name is Bob O'Connell
44:21And he gives me a lift to the nappy now and again
44:24He's keen on me
44:26So I let him take me to the pictures last week
44:29Because I'm trying to let him down gently
44:30He's a very nice man
44:32I feel sorry for him
44:33Now is there anything else you want to know Freda?
44:37Sorry Sheila
44:37Well there's no harm done
44:40Maybe you're right
44:41Maybe you do have to be cruel to be kind
44:43And then of course I am married aren't I?
44:46Except that marriage to me means having a husband and kids
44:49Where's my husband? Where are my kids?
44:53Sorry
44:53It isn't easy at my age Freda
44:55I'm not old and past it
44:57And I awake at night
44:59Aching for my husband and my children
45:01Wondering what's going to become of us all
45:05And how long it's going to go on all this
45:07Do you know what I said to David the last time he was home?
45:11He's got this cut finger
45:13And I said suppose it turns septic
45:15And they have to take your hand off
45:16They'll have to let me have you back then
45:18And I meant it
45:20I meant it
45:22Well you can understand can't you Margaret?
45:29I think we'd all better have a cup of tea don't you?
45:32Oh dad
45:33Hey
45:35You've hardly had any sleep
46:02Bring Alan Mills
46:05Tell him you'll come in later
46:06What makes you think he's had any more sleep than I've had?
46:13Freda's gone
46:13She seems quiet
46:16Yes
46:17I think she learned a few of the facts of life last night
46:21Is it all right now with Sheila?
46:25As right as it'll ever be I suppose
46:27She's had a letter
46:31About David
46:33In connection with what?
46:38I don't know
46:39I see
46:41I suppose it's natural to try and believe the best of one's own
46:47Yes I suppose it's natural
46:49There's nothing we can do about it though is there?
46:54Nope
46:55There's nothing we can do
46:57Oh dear
46:59Makes you feel so helpless though doesn't it?
47:02Yeah
47:03I know the feeling
47:05Come on
47:08Go and get your breakfast before it gets cold
47:11Right
47:12I got the biggest rocket of all time from group
47:16In fact I'll be lucky if I don't end up sweeping the guardroom floor after this
47:20We got back sir
47:22All barring one
47:23We can't afford to lose good air gunners
47:26A co-pilot could have kept his eyes open
47:28Possibly
47:28No one expects their own side to start shooting at them
47:32Yes rockets all round
47:34Some of these gun crews around the coast are trigger happy
47:38After what they've been through this past month
47:39Especially our Polish allies
47:41If they see or hear anything up there they'll hit it
47:45Or try to
47:46Yes I suppose we've got Warsaw to thank for that
47:48Yeah
47:49By the way I rang the hospital while you were being interrogated
47:53Smithy
47:54I'm afraid his wireless operating days are over
47:58Oh hello Susan it's uh David Eshton
48:24Oh hello
48:25Were you expecting Smithy tonight
48:27Yes
48:28Why
48:29He's in hospital
48:31Is it something serious
48:34Well we're not quite sure I'll let you know when I hear something
48:36Oh please would you
48:38I uh
48:40I'd like to see you anyway
48:42Is there any chance you'll be at the Turks Head tonight
48:45Oh I'm sorry I'll be working
48:47Oh
48:48Are you still there
48:51Yeah yeah
48:52Look uh
48:54I had a lousy night
48:56I'm not trying to you know
48:58I just seem to need somebody to talk to
49:01About anything in particular
49:03Well the fact is
49:05I just started to wonder what the hell it's all about
49:08I mean
49:10Here I am right in the middle of it all
49:12And I couldn't even tell you what a fascist is
49:14Not in the right words
49:15You'd better come round to the centre then
49:17I'm not sure that I'll be all that much help
49:19But
49:20Least I can do is find you some reading
49:22Thanks
49:23Tonight
49:24Yeah
49:25Yeah about eight
49:28Good I'll see you then
49:29Yeah thanks
49:30Bye
49:30Bye
49:30What's the panic
49:32Smithy's come round he's going to be all right
49:34What about his hands
49:36I rang the hospital but they were engaged
49:38Let's get some lunch
49:40Lunch
49:42Come on Ken we've got a job to do
49:45Where are you going
49:46I'm going to see him
49:48You know he'll need us now he's come round
49:52Come on
49:52You'll never get in
49:54They're operating
49:56His left arm's got to come off
50:00He put that bloody fire up with his bare hands
50:08Yes
50:13It's hard lines
50:16Hard lines
50:33There's a war on
50:38That was Smithy
50:42Remember
50:43Smithy
50:57Smithy
51:19You
51:20You
51:22You
51:23You
51:23You
51:24You
51:26You