Life was terrible for the men fighting in the trenches, but it was no picnic for the wives and families they left behind on the home front.
When Britain declares war in 1914, ambitious, territorial soldier and coke filler, Ben Bennison signs up for overseas service, leaving behind his wife and four children in Consett, County Durham. Everyone expects the war to be over by Christmas, and that thrashing the Germans won?t be a problem for Kitchener?s New Army. Ben finds conditions in the front line trenches beyond his imagining, and bitterly regrets persuading his brothers, miners Joe and Billy to join up too.
Polly Bennison hates Ben going off to war. There’s no choice but manage on the meagre separation allowance paid by government. She and her sister-in-law, Georgina, have to cope as food and fuel prices rocket. Everyone is terrified of bombs and shells from Zeppelins and the German Navy, after attacks on Hartlepool and Scarborough.
Margaret Bennison watches her three sons leave for the Front with despair. Her boys? father is all for King and Country, and expects them to fight.
As the established order in Britain and the world falls to pieces, what will become of the Bennison family?
