Wed, Jan 9, 2013
The boys take part in a simulated gas attack where Barrowman's sadism causes Wratten to collapse. Audrey learns that she is pregnant but does not tell her husband. However he announces that he is resigning from the Army. Lomax admits to Keenan that he is simulating lunacy to 'take a stand.' Afterwards Hobbs tells Keenan and Norah that he truly loved Keenan's sister, and was unable to be with her before she died,her memory continually haunting him. Norah is unimpressed but Keenan is moved. White-Bowne learns that Barrowman was demoted from sergeant after bullying a young conscript and White-Bowne uses this to play a grisly practical joke on Barrowman.
Thu, Jan 10, 2013
After seeing the 'corpse' hanging in the gym Barrowman breaks down and leaves the army,having apologized to Wratten and explaining how he became so tyrannical. A Conservative select committee arrives at the camp to interview White-Bowne and the Jewish private Rothman,who has also applied to be a Tory candidate - though only for a bet. However it is Rothman who gets selected. Davies is told that his grandfather has died but is thrilled to learn that he won the V.C. in World War I and that his bravery commuted a court martial sentence for desertion. Audrey agrees to emigrate to Australia with Butcher and prepares to leave Gulliver though Norah and Hobbs are reconciled. Everybody assembles on the parade ground to mark Remembrance Sunday,unaware of the terrible surprise Lomax has in store for them.
Sun, Jan 6, 2013
On November 10 1960 seven youngsters arrive at the Bleakley Marsh army camp on the Yorkshire moors. They are the last intake of National Servicemen and are soon bawled out by loud sergeant Butcher. Inexplicably pacifist private Keenan chases Lance-corporal Jimmy Hobbs out of the camp. Hobbs takes refuge with girlfriend Norah,who works in the NAAFI. Keenan is injured and tended by nurse Connie Charles before being given latrine duty though neither will explain what sparked the outburst. Corporal Barrowman takes an instant dislike to East Ender private Wratten,who claims to be an associate of the Kray brothers and falsely sets Wratten up as having stolen old Etonian White-Browne's watch. The last conscript arrives by motor bike - the eccentric private Lomax,dressed in a home-made officer's uniform and talking only in snatches of film dialogue,even to captain Gulliver. Gulliver has his own problems as he is anxious for a son but finds his wife has secretly been taking the contraceptive pill. As night falls Keenan writes in his diary and Lomax approaches the sergeant's bed with a heavy stone but is sent packing.
Mon, Jan 7, 2013
The recruits of Two Section hit the parade ground, Corporal is Barrowman appalled that Private McIlvenny is allowed to wear soft shoes and by the lack of coordination of nervous, gangling Private Hoy, though the latter proves to be frighteningly ferocious at bayonet training. Private Davies, however, doubts his own ability to kill. Keenan asks Connie on a date, whilst Lomax, only pretending to take the sedative Connie gives him, starts talking like Bette Davis. Butcher is sure he is faking madness to be discharged and tells him. But Butcher has his own guilty secret as he is having an affair with Gulliver's wife Audrey. Hobbs returns to the camp having declined to flee to America with Norah.
Tue, Jan 8, 2013
Hobbs spends time in the cells for going AWOL but is released as Barrowman challenges Two Section to beat One Sectionm on the assault course. Though Barrowman is unhappy with the result the boys earn their drinks as they help at the annual dance. White-Browne tells Gulliver he is standing as a candidate at the Oldham East by-election to gain military immunity and Gulliver is dismayed when Major Tunnicliffe is evasive over his bid for promotion and a new posting. Convinced that she is pregnant Audrey is almost caught with Butcher by Tunnicliffe whilst Keenan has a candle-lit dinner with Connie. He tells her that,despite his pacifist views,he allowed himself to be conscripted to get close to Hobbs - the man who impregnated his sister and indirectly caused her death.