The War in the Fields Land Girls

I'll fly one of these.

-One day.

-Careful what you wish for.

-Crikey!

-They'll have us in the trenches next!

-How's your head?

-Still hurts a bit.

Fresh air'll do you good.

Race you to the fields!

A Spitfire.

Pride of place on the village green.

Ah!

-I imagine Lady Hoxley pulled a few strings.

-Ooh!

-Shame you won't get to see it.

-Well, I'll have a gander later.

Ah. Complete bed rest, we want that foot to mend! Open.

I'll be straight back after, to check on you.

(After the committee meeting.)

There's no need to do that.

Nonsense, Frederick, you are an invalid.

It's my Christian duty to aid your convalescence.

Call of nature, outside privy.

Oh! I'll pick up something nice for our supper!

HE GROANS

Nothing like hard graft to work off a hangover.

At least you weren't up for milking.

If I'd known engaged meant busy...

Get stuck in with those pitchforks!

I know where I'd like to stick it.

THEY MAKE PLANE NOISES

-It's nice of you to join us!

-There's a Spitfire in the village.

-We had noticed.

-Think they'll let me sit in it?

Maybe when you've finished your schoolwork.

I'll do it later.

You're in enough trouble as it is, I want you home when I get back!

Less of the chat, please, ladies!

Sieg heil, mein Fuhrer!

All right, Jack.

Iris. Proficiency test.

'Village stalls, coconut shy,'

pigs - best of breed,

demonstration baseball match - GIs, traditional ploughing competition,

parade of the Home Guard,

juvenile poetry recital.

Anything we've missed?

Lady Hoxley?

I think that's quite enough.

The village of Coddington has organised a gymkhana.

Indian troops on mules!

Maybe Connie could sing?

I think I shall have to veto that suggestion.

On what grounds?

This is an official fundraiser, not a showboat for local turns.

Open-air dance?

An open invitation to drunken decadence!

I'm sure we can round up the trouble-makers.

It was your fiancee I was referring to.

Who will be chaperoning our guest of honour?

Lady Denman has been detained.

She's paying a visit to Rose Bailey's family.

Least she can do, under the circumstances.

She's sending Miss Timpson in her place.

Miss Timpson?

WLA County Chairman.

Lady Denman's right-hand man!

Agricultural organiser for the WI! Master of the Hounds of Cluberry!

Yes, thank you, Mrs Gulliver.

She's keen to address the land girls.

Let's hope they're ready for her.

Our Father who art in Heaven Hallowed be thy name...

He needs reassurance. He needs his wife.

He will get better?

These things take time.

Well, I've waited for months,

I can wait a bit longer.

Excuse me.

I thought the ward could do with cheering up.

That's very kind.

Trauma-induced amnesia.

Shell shock?

More common than one might think.

Perhaps Mrs Fisher could work on the ward?

I'll see what I can arrange.

Do John good to have her around.

I thought perhaps I might help?

It is my house, after all.

This afternoon?

I'm supervising sponge cakes - Wings for Victory?

I could always delegate. Shall we say one o'clock?

..on earth as it is in Heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those that trespass against us...

Got to make sure them strings are tight,

don't want any mice getting up there.

Don't rise to him.

-Can't you tick those boxes somewhere else?

-Oi, rules is rules.

COUGHING

I can hardly breathe!

Here, take this.

CREAKING

IRIS SCREAMS

Iris!

-Lie still.

-I'm fine.

-Take it easy!

-I'm all right!

We've been trying to get your thresher fixed all summer.

Slip of a girl, accident waiting to happen.

-She could have been killed!

-I don't think so.

Women weren't made for heavy machinery.

She's a liability.

They ALL are! I'd get rid of the lot of them tomorrow!

Iris, wait.

-I let the girls down.

-No, it's not your fault.

Why are you here?

Bit of moral support.

You've just made everything ten times worse!

Flight Sergeant Woods should be showing signs of improvement.

Intravenous drip and morphine if he asks.

-Permission to take away the trays, doctor

-Thank you, Harper.

They said it was in France.

You need to eat, Sergeant Fisher. Build up your strength.

Military rations, it's too much salt.

Tomorrow's presentation.

I've timed it to coincide with Miss Timpson's arrival.

Doesn't feel right, not with John stuck in here.

There's a man over there with his hand up.

Oh, it's Warrant Officer Williams, your ladyship.

It's, erm...

bedpan.

Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it.

I'm sure Lady Hoxley would be happy to assist.

That is what she's here for, after all.

Right.

Tell me something I want to remember.

-I can't think.

-Something about us.

Day you proposed.

It was raining.

Never seen rain like it

and you took my dad out into the yard to ask for his blessing

and by the time you'd convinced him, you were completely soaked to the bone.

"What's a bit of rain, John?

"Our Joyce's happiness, that's what matters."

Sounds like quite a character.

Yeah, he was.

I think Flight Sergeant Fisher should get some rest.

I'd like to take him out tomorrow, please. Just some time on our own.

As long as he doesn't exert himself.

Sun's not good for those headaches.

I'll pick you up.

Henry? You there? Morning I've had! Oh!

Come in for some peace and quiet!

-This is, erm...

-Danny. Danny Sparks.

My fiancee Connie.

Pleased to meet you, Connie.

Pleasure's all mine.

Danny's a philanthropist.

-Is he now?

-Looking for funds to rebuild Brinford hospital.

Well, he won't find them in here!

Terrible thing, that air raid.

Heaven knows, we've suffered in London.

What brings you to Helmstead, Danny?

Passing through.

Excuse me.

Brinford hospital fund?

I had to tell him something.

I've got my eye on those candlesticks.

Village fete tomorrow.

Maybe I'll stick around.

Won't be up to much.

I'm staying at the pub. It's a proper little boozer!

-Home from home.

-I'll bet!

-You get those building costs, gimme me a shout.

-Will do.

Regular entrepreneur.

Hm. One way of putting it.

Er, something you wanted?

Better get back.

Give me strength.

A Reverend?

-Surpassed yourself this time.

-Stay away from me, Danny.

Or what? Going to call the preacher?

Please...

-don't ruin this.

-Maybe I'll scream for the pair of us.

Be the last sound you ever make!

I've missed that temper.

Relax, I ain't going to ruin your little scam.

We're getting married.

I know the drill.

Ring in place, honeymoon planned...

clear him out and do a runner.

This is for real.

I love him, Danny.

You might have written and told me.

-I did write and tell you.

-Oh, I never got the letter.

I thought I might check out the rest of the village.

Take you all of ten minutes.

I was worried you'd be miffed.

I'm pleased for you, Con.

Really, I am.

You see? Wasn't that bad, once you got down to it.

I'm writing a poem.

A poem?

Recital tomorrow. First prize is five shillings.

We're supposed to be raising money for the war effort,

not Martin Reeves!

I can't do anything right!

# A rover came over the hill

# And down through the valley so shady

# He whistled and he sang Till the greenwoods rang

# And he won the heart of a lady. #

Anyone would think you were a country girl.

Bit of love, that's all she's after.

How you bearing up?

Few bruises.

No harm done.

Look on Vernon's face.

Swans around this village like he owns it.

Thug of a son, he's asking for trouble.

-You Tuckers stick together.

-Vernon got what was coming to him.

Maybe you're here to finish the job?

Look, there are things you can't understand.

I don't want to, either.

Will you read my poem?

Go and pester someone your own age!

We should boycott Vernon's farm.

Let's go on strike?

I told you, Connie, I don't want trouble.

-There's a war on, people still need feeding.

-The machinery's dangerous!

You down tools, you would prove Vernon's point.

He's only gone and blamed us, said we're not up to it.

Martin! Dinner.

Cheeky blighter! We're good at that job, we're better than the farmers.

And I know just how to prove it.

Terrible business.

23.

Orphaned child.

They were targeting the airfield.

The bombs that hit the hospital were badly aimed.

If the girl had been supervised, she'd never have been there.

I've had a word with the farmer concerned.

We can't be expected to chaperone them.

But the women do need guidance.

Then you've timed your visit perfectly.

Perhaps the war effort is wearing you out?

We don't all possess your...

vigour.

Rose Bailey was a casualty of war.

She won't be the last.

I took her on.

She was working on my estate.

One has to show fortitude.

Leadership.

Rose deserves that much.

Thank you, Glenda.

Car, Trump!

I thought you could show me the hospital wing later.

In my capacity as Chair of the Brinford Nursing Association.

Cheer up, Joyce, you're getting your stripes!

What am I supposed to say to her?

You'll be lucky to get a word in edgeways!

Oi, Vernon!

I hear you're holding a ploughing competition.

-Show you lot how it's done.

-I've seen your boys.

Clapped out, too old for call-up.

Proper farmers.

In that case you won't be averse to a little challenge?

-What are you on about?

-Farmers versus land girls.

I've never any heard anything so ridiculous!

Might have known you'd disapprove.

-She's talking sense, for the first time in her life.

-Running scared?

HE LAUGHS

You beat my farmers and...I'll buy a new threshing machine.

Now, that's more like it!

All right, middle field...

We'll draw names.

-And what if we don't win?

-Course we're going to win!

-Ah-ah-ah!

I shall have to square this with the committee.

At my own inconvenience.

"Ah-ah-ah!"

Who needs wings when you've got a broomstick, eh?

Hey...

still here?

-Well, looks that way.

-You won't say anything to Henry?

-You and me?

-He don't know the half of it.

I bet he don't.

I've changed, Danny.

A vicar's wife?!

If I weren't knocked for six, I'd be laughing.

So you do care.

Course I care.

You're my girl.

Henry treats me properly.

This ain't you, Con.

You can smile and pretend, but you'll never be a part of it.

You've got some front.

Couldn't help meself.

I want you to leave, Danny.

Thing is, I need to lie low for a bit.

Oh, you're in trouble, I knew it!

Couple of weeks, I'll be out of your hair.

Henry?

Vic!

Just chatting up your fiancee.

Can't say I blame you.

-We better go.

-Welcome to join us.

Oh, I've got a bit of business to attend to.

Catch you both later.

-Hoopla?

-Oh, you know how to spoil a girl!

Hey, Martin.

What do you think?

It's all right.

I trust that mother of yours has taken you in hand.

She gave me what for.

She seemed out of sorts at the party.

-She's been ill.

-They've got swine flu at Shenton.

Do you think you can catch it?

-She's sick every morning!

-Certainly ailing with something.

You look real pretty in that.

I thought we could try and win a coconut.

I should be with the girls.

I told him to fix that machine, but, you know, fixing costs money.

Well, it could have cost more than money.

Frank Tucker.

He been bothering you?

That's not your concern.

Well, you shouldn't pander to him, after what his brothers done.

From what I hear, your father deserved it.

Walter!

I'll make him pay.

HORN HONKS

ANNOUNCER: Please gather now for our guest of honour,

Miss Timpson, is just arriving.

THEY APPLAUD

Good morning, land girls!

ALL: Good morning, Miss Timpson.

Finely tuned and lightly turned out.

Where is Mrs Fisher?

You're due to be decorated.

Yes, Miss Timpson.

Two years distinguished service.

Glenda.

A sterling example to us all.

How is morale among the troops?

Fighting fit, Miss Timpson.

(That's the spirit!)

Here are your stripes.

Thank you.

-And a personal token of appreciation.

-Oh.

Now, where shall I pin this?

CROWD APPLAUDS

-Speeches in the village hall.

-Right ho!

At ease, ladies!

Dearly love to give you all one!

Reverend Jameson, Vicar of Helmstead.

Of course you are.

"Wings for Victory week is here So let us smile and raise a cheer

"We'll soon have Hitler on the run And then this sodding war is won!"

Couldn't have put it better myself!

CROWD APPLAUDS

I reckon you can kiss goodbye to that five shillings.

Worth it for the look on Gulliver's face though!

Well, I think that concludes the poetry recital.

The past week has been a trying time for everyone...

Sorry.

We've all said a prayer for poor Rose Bailey.

But prayers alone won't win this war.

Hear, hear!

I'd like to invite our guest to say a few words.

I'll keep this brief.

Sure you're all keen to catch the fox!

Delighted to join you,

as Helmstead strives to earn its Wings for Victory.

Community spirit is alive and well.

As I said in the speech

to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, what we need is ready cash.

More planes.

Bomb the Germans into submission!

I'm glad she's on our side!

A message of support, from dear Lady Denman.

In recognition of the contribution to village life

made by the Women's Land Army.

DOG WHIMPERS

"From the town and city, you have invaded the shires.

"We owe you a great debt,

"as you carry out your duties with pride and dignity.

"We must all strive for victory as our competition looms."

-SHE STAMPS

-Let battle commence!

Competing for the men's team...

Ugh!

Walter Storey!

THEY CHEER

Fine show of muscle, shame he ain't seen any fighting.

Flat feet, special exemption.

This isn't a slanging match!

Representing the land girls...

Iris Dawson!

THEY LAUGH

-David and Goliath.

-Yeah, and look what happened there.

Not too late to throw in the towel!

You rigged it!

You just watch your mouth, Connie Carter. Casting aspersions.

-Oh, I'll do more than that.

-Oh, trust her to lower the tone.

You're just going to have to do your best.

We'll show them, won't we, Iris?

In front of all these people?

Ploughing, it's easy!

Well then, you take it on.

Come on, I, we can't back out now.

-Do it for Rose.

-Do it for the girls!

Each player must open and set one ridge.

Show six top furrows and finish one furrow.

Maximum depth ten inches.

Failure to plough the specified depth

will be penalised by deduction of points.

Sorely tempted to have a go myself!

Farmers, you will go first.

Ready?

Ready!

Garrgh! Garrgh! Get up!

There's no need for that, I'd like to see you whipped!

Come on, Walter, show 'em who's boss!

CROWD CHEERS

Missing the fete...

doing ALL the work.

Do you want to earn ten bob or don't you?

Another one.

Oh, give it here! HE CHUCKLES

How many more holes?

As many as it takes to make me rich.

HE LAUGHS

CHEERING

Useless nags! Bring him home!

I bet you're proud of her.

One of our best, Joyce.

All those weeks, no word, no news.

She never doubted you'd come home.

-Did she talk about me?

-All the time, couldn't shut her up!

Suppose it was her way of keeping you alive.

-Steady! Steady!

-Come on, Walter!

Hup! Hup!

Farming and women...

Two things I know about.

We were both raised in the country.

When I was a girl I rode to hounds, three, four times a week.

I thought it the finest thing in life.

Soon discovered life had more to offer.

I've no complaints.

You need a fitting venture for those talents.

The War Office is on the lookout for capable women.

There are always vacancies for the right candidate.

Vacancies?

Your contacts are invaluable.

Why not put them to good use?

Distinguished service.

A chance to determine the fate of this war.

Are you offering me a job?

INCREASED CHEERING

Hold there! Hold there!

WALTER PANTS

Oh, boy, absolutely wonderful!

Well done!

You should cut your losses, eh? We'll put it down to inexperience.

If I weren't a lady, I'd lamp him!

Turn the other cheek.

Iris'll do us proud!

If we ever bleeding find her.

-Are you going to hide in here till its over?

-Who said I'm hiding?

It's a stupid competition!

Well-packed furrows, neat ins and outs, nothing to it.

Walter's out to get you.

Think I hadn't noticed?

He won't let this go.

Then I'll make him see sense!

Now, "All furrows must start and finish at scratch..."

I'm not doing it!

"All idle runs to the opposite end must be made on the headland."

And I don't need you to fight my battles.

Then get out there and prove me wrong!

Old Peg, she tends to pull left

so try and keep your right hand down.

If she doesn't show up soon, the girls will have to forfeit.

-She'll be here, I know she will!

-No sign.

We'll give her another five minutes.

We've waited long enough! She's running scared.

-OK?

-Where the blazes have you been?

She's here now!

That's all that matters.

Right, young Iris.

To horse!

Stay loose on your turns.

Fourth post from the end, use that as a benchmark.

Ready?

-Ready.

-Win it for us, Iris!

You can do it.

Walk on!

-Come on, Iris!

-Come on!

-Good girl, Iris, come on!

-Keep your line!

-Come on, Iris!

Come on, Iris!

Come on, Iris!

Here...

Emperor Nero? What do you reckon?

Dunno.

Who'd have thought, eh?

A hoard of treasure buried under Mrs G's spuds!

What were the Romans doing in her garden?

Just keep digging, Martin. Keep digging.

# A gypsy rover came over the hill

# And down through the valley so shady... #

-Holding up well!

-There's no stopping her!

Girl's got a feel for horses.

Right hand down, fourth post as a mark.

-Come on, Iris!

-Keep your line.

# He whistled and he sang Till the green woods rang

# And he won the heart of a lady. #

Come on, Iris!

Aren't you clever? Straight furrows, not too deep.

Frank was right. Nothing to it.

-Ten more yards!

-Nearly there!

I say!

THEY APPLAUD

Played a blinder!

Those girls did most of the work.

Short time-out, while the judges confer.

-I wanted to give you something.

-Ah.

It's your favourite colour.

I knew I could bring you back!

I've missed that smile.

What else? Tell me.

-We were married in August.

-19th.

-Your mum wore that hat.

-Yeah, that awful hat!

The only hat she'd ever worn.

The biggest hat that anybody has ever seen!

Happiest day of my life.

Your parents are dead.

That's right, in the bombing raid.

Joyce, I'm sorry.

I was with you. You kept me strong.

It must have been hard. Waiting.

Well, it's what we've learned to do.

A stranger came home.

I feel blessed, don't you see that?

This is our second chance.

BELL RINGS

ANNOUNCER: Miss Timpson is going to announce

the winner of the ploughing competition.

The winners of the Wings for Victory ploughing challenge...

Perhaps, Lady Hoxley, you would care to do the honours?

The Helmstead land girls.

THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD

This is a travesty!

Judges decision is final.

You're a useless halfwit layabout!

You've just made us look a laughing stock!

Carried aloft like the Queen of Sheba!

Congratulations, Iris, I can't believe you done it!

During the Great War I drove an ambulance -

Women's Volunteer Corp.

Close-knit bunch.

Saw some things that shaped me for life.

I'll remember this day for ever.

Healthy dose of self-belief. Little bit of luck.

Testing times.

-But the future is ours, girls!

-Men have had it their way far too long.

Ow!

-Carpe diem!

-Bottoms up!

There's my ride.

Trump! To heel.

Drink, Mrs Gulliver?

No thank you, vicar, I don't drink.

Silly old cow!

I shan't stay for supper.

Early start.

Ministry of Ag have asked for my input on milk quotas.

War Office position?

Considered my offer?

Helmstead is where I belong.

Thought you might say that.

Home front, Glenda!

Scenic route, please.

HORN HONKS

Good lad!

See, now that you've raked it over, she won't suspect a thing.

-Frederick? Fredrick?!

-Here! Take that!

Ooh!

Get me crutches!

Go on, back here!

Frederick, where are you?

Quick, jacket.

-Come on!

-Frederick!

A day of drama, and that's a fact.

You have done some wicked things in your day,

but the sins of the flesh will drive you to damnatio...

Oh.

-I've tired you out.

-It's just another headache.

We should go away. Soon as you're better.

I should tell Dr Channing.

-I just need to sleep.

-Well, any changes...

Just leave it, Joyce.

Maybe Brighton?

A sort of second honeymoon.

We'll see, eh?

We went to Lyme Regis for our honeymoon.

It's all a bit hazy.

Connie.

She told you what to say?

-You were pushing, asking questions.

-So you lied to me?

-Please, don't shout.

-Made a fool of me!

I don't know who I am any more!

After you were posted abroad we wrote to each other twice a week.

We told each other everything.

I'm still your wife, John. Please remember that much.

Mrs Fisher?

He might never get his memory back.

-It's a waiting game.

-No, tell me the truth.

I don't know.

All on your own?

Who'd have a drink with me?

You shouldn't let your father do you down.

-Beaten by a girl.

-You're better than that!

Poor excuse for a son!

I should get back.

One for the road?

Go home, Walter, sleep it off.

-A kiss? Send me on my way.

-No!

Me dad was right, you're nothing but a tease.

Maybe it's time you stopped listening to him.

All eyes and smiles whenever it pleases ya!

Hey! I said no!

What, you saving yourself for Mr Tucker?

-Get your hands off!

-Or what?

Or you'll have me to deal with! Come here.

I ought to knock you into next week.

-Leave it, Frank.

-I'd like to see you try.

Come on, come and have a go.

Running scared, just like your brother.

If I started on you I wouldn't stop!

You've already been shamed enough for one day.

Call yourself a man?

He's twice the man you are!

Let's go home.

You're right.

I can wait.

I got all the time in the world!

You slipped away early, Mrs Reeves.

Well, there's work to be done. What's Finch forgotten now?

It's you I came to see. Neighbourly concern.

I'm sorry, Mrs Gulliver, you've lost me.

You can't take enough care in your condition.

-I don't know what it is you've heard...

-Enough...

to know you're in the family way.

You mind your business.

-Coming here with your nasty tittle-tattle!

-Brazen-faced airs!

At least have the decency to hang your head in shame.

Get off this farm and you take your poison with you!

Lax morals.

They merit a loose tongue!

SONG: "EVERY NIGHT ABOUT THIS TIME" by The Ink Spots

# Every night about this time

# Oh, how I miss you

# I drift into our old rendezvous

# Every night about this time

# The gang keeps on asking

# Why you're not around

# And I keep pretending

# That you're just out of town

# Every night about this time

# Memories haunt me

# Wondering too Who's dancing with you

# Every night about this time

# And whenever they croon Our favourite tune

# A tear falls with every rhyme

# Oh how I miss you... #

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

It's late, I know. I saw the light on.

Scotch. Water. No ice.

You should have stayed.

The ploughing match was a great success.

Everybody doffed their cap, hurried happily home.

If you just dropped in to humour me...

Came to have you all to myself.

We're all very excited you're staying on at the ward.

When Lawrence died...

Your name was mentioned several times.

I remembered the man I was.

You never even said goodbye.

You'd made your choice.

It was easier.

We were too different.

I was never good enough.

But it doesn't matter now.

Doesn't it?

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

I should never have come back.

I should never have let you go.

Early start.

Yes.

I'll see you on the ward.

I look forward to it.

Good night, Ellen.

Good night.

Who goes there?

Hey!

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