Anzac Girls (2014) s01e04 Episode Script
Love
1 I'm Norval.
But everyone calls me Pat.
"A book of verses underneath the bough, "a jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou.
" That's how I feel about you, Alice.
Our boys are getting slaughtered at Gallipoli and the ones that pull through get sent straight back to be killed.
I feel like a chewed-up piece of string most days.
My hair is revolting! Major Prior, this is Alice, or Sister Alice Ross King.
-Lovely to meet you, Major.
-And you too, Sister.
Syd's been declared unfit for all service.
He's being sent away for three months to recuperate.
-Sent where? -Home.
Afraid I'm still a little slow up top.
At home, you'll be with Syd, able to give him proper care.
So whither next, ladies? I imagine France.
It's something of a hot spot.
Are you going to marry me, Harry Lowry Moffitt? If you'll marry me, Alice Ross King.
"Well, after leaving Egypt and crossing the Mediterranean, "we were a week hanging around Marseilles" There is a land where summer skies are gleaming In harmonies "We've been three long days now travelling to Rouen.
"With so much time spent on the sightings, "most of the Aussie 1st Division passed us on the way up.
"But though I looked and looked, "none of those hundreds of men was the one of whom I dream.
"Oh, love of my heart, "it seems impossible to live away from you.
"I'm hoping and praying you are already in France "and that we will see each other soon.
" And, Pete, your milliner's delight.
-If only! My hats are a fright.
-They've forgotten my grip.
-I'm sure it's here somewhere.
-Come on, blokes.
Smoko's over! Excuse me.
What battalion are you with? -The 2nd.
-Oh.
Um You were at Gallipoli? Can you tell me if the 21st have arrived in France? Sister, they could be anywhere from Salonika to Southampton, and from what I've seen of France, they're better off staying there.
Alice! Come on.
Come along, Sisters.
Move along.
All together.
Yes, before it rains.
Form two lines.
That's it.
Come on.
That's right.
That must be the CO.
'P's and 'Q's, girls.
Colonel de Crespigny.
The nursing staff of No.
1 AGH, ready for duty.
And most welcome, Matron, but I'm afraid No.
1 isn't ready in return.
Here we go again.
I'd hoped to be opening tomorrow, especially with the army increasing action at the front, but the site we've been allotted by High Command is It requires some amendments.
My nurses will be on hand to stock and open the wards as they become ready.
And that's what I'd planned for you too, but High Command have decided that until we're open, you're to be deployed at British No.
11.
-In their wisdom.
-Yes, sir.
My adjutant will show you to your living quarters.
So we're not working at our own hospital? It seems we're to help the British.
Working with the Queen Alexandra's! Hey! We've gotta unpack.
Are you listening? Left, left! Got cotton wool in your ears? The other left! Left a bit! Excuse me.
Has any post arrived? Wait for the bugle call like everyone else.
Do you know when It's just I'm expecting a letter.
Wait for the bugle call like everyone else! Right.
Come Come back here.
Three colonials on my ward.
What have I done to deserve this? Are they staff nurses or VADs? Sisters Ross King, Haynes and Steele are all fully qualified.
They can do dressings, splits, foments? As I said, they're fully qualified.
Well, we're expecting a convoy of convalescents from the casualty clearing station.
Have the beds made up and ready.
-Yes, Sister Bullus.
-WARD Sister Bullus.
Why are we yet again the last unit to receive our own facilities? Honestly, trekking all the way to the MOs latrine in this weather there were zeppelins about the other night and our anti-aircraft were firing on 'em.
There's a man by our hut.
Harry! Harry! Oh! Major Prior.
I -Hello.
-G'day, Alice.
I thought I'd see how you're settling in.
-Sisters.
-Have you been in camp long? Oh, we butchers and bakers are practically first in.
Soldiers are just digestive tracts on legs, after all.
Have youhad mail? Mail from a certain lieutenant of the 21st? I haven't heard from Harry since before we sailed.
I was hoping he'd be in France, but Well, if the way he spoke of you to me is anything to go by, he's raring to get here.
Ladies.
Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies In harmonies Grassy knoll and forest height Are flushing in the rosy light And all above, in azure light Australia, Australia! Australia! There is a land where honey flows Where laughing corn luxurious grows Land of the myrtle and Dooley? Sister Haynes! (PANTS) You remember me.
Of course I do.
You're looking .
.
very hale.
Um What have you been doing since Lemnos? Well, uh, I was at Tel-el-Kebir, then I moved on to France, and I arrived here a few days ago.
Been uprooting the entire place ever since.
This is to be our nurses dugout, I suppose, to protect us from the zeppelins.
Uhh No, these are to be your, um WCs.
Oh, even better! We're short on facilities.
And I know after Lemnos how much one appreciates a strategically placed latrine.
Sure.
-Dooley.
-Yeah? -That song -'Song of Australia'? Do you know it? Carry on, then.
Butchers and bakers.
NCOs.
-Nurses.
-Yes, please.
I'll take it.
Officers.
Quartermasters.
-This can't be all.
-All that came.
Could you have dropped one, missed it behind the desk That's all that came.
I don't understand it.
Harry must be in France by now.
-It needs more linseed.
-It's been weeks.
He most evidently can't be bothered writing.
The water.
Surely he wouldn't neglect me if he really cared.
Not that much! Olive, I do know how to make linseed poultice.
Well, you're making a mess of this one.
Concentrate on the matter at hand.
Who is responsible for this? You? Or was it another useless VAD who washed these bowls? I don't think so, Ward Sister Bullus.
-I did them.
-You? But washing's not the job of a sister.
It isn't? In Australia, both staff nurses and sisters do it.
I don't know how you do things in Australia, but I'd sack my pantry maid if she left crockery in this state.
Yes, Ward Sister Bullus.
you'd think we were England's enemies instead of belonging to her.
I was wondering how much longer until No.
1 will be ready for us.
Drains are dug, ward marquees are going up.
We'll be another week fitting them out.
A week? Very well.
How are you finding working with our Imperial cousins? My nurses can work anywhere.
-You were on Lemnos? -Mm-hm.
I've heard you achieved miraculous things there under very trying conditions.
Oh, any matron's only as good as the nurses she leads.
I believe I've got a bout of cianalas.
Is that Gaelic for 'fever'? No, Sister.
It's Gaelic for 'homesickness'.
And where is your home? A wee place called Pettycur.
Pettycur? What a lovely name.
Oh, look, it's nothing special.
It's just bare hills and the sea sparkling on the firth.
The firth? Is that the bay? Aye.
The beautiful Firth of Forth.
I love watching the sun on the water as well.
It's likelike little bits of jewels.
It's 3pm - teatime.
Yes.
Um, Private McLeod was just telling me about his home town.
It's 3pm! Teatime! Oh, yes, good.
The tea's almost ready, Ward Sister Bullus.
Is this your idea of a joke? The handles! Oh, I'll do it myself.
Slapdash.
No sense of order.
You call yourself a military nurse! What if the CNO came in? What if he saw the slovenly way you present things? UmI'm very sorry.
You colonials lack any sense of what's right and proper.
You're slatterns, the lot of you, lowering the standards of our profession! That's quite enough! Sister Steele, you need some fresh air.
Please take a few minutes.
Go back to work, Sister Haynes.
I'll help Ward Sister Bullus with the teas.
I shouldn't have raised my voice to her, but, frankly, ever since your nurses got here, this ward has been in a complete state.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Has the rate of mortality increased? Well, no.
The morbidity? Patients failing to thrive? Order, Miss Wilson.
A hospital needs order, particularly a military one.
Bed out of line.
Covers misaligned.
Pillows the wrong way.
And they spend far too much time fraternising with the men.
My nurses are absolutely committed to their patients.
Well, then, they should know that a tidy, well-kept ward is the mental rest of those who are in it.
I quite agree.
But one wouldn't want to lay more stress on the orderliness of one's ward and on the care of the patients within it.
Would one? Oh, this is a lovely spot.
Miss Wilson, I'll get back to work.
You can be spared a little longer.
As of the end of shift, the CO is recalling us to No.
1.
Butour orders He's decided it's important that we're all together and up and running by next Tuesday.
Ohh! That is such a relief.
Hm.
When I was little, I saw a picture of one in a book in her uniform and I thought, "I want to be like that" - calm and competent and useful.
Mmm.
I am so sorry for letting you down, Miss Wilson.
"How little can be done under the spirit of fear.
" Do you know who said that? Florence Nightingale herself.
We and the Queen Alexandra's have rather different approaches to getting things done.
That's all.
And remember, Sister Steele, to do your duty, you've left your home halfway around the world.
It's a lot further than just across the Channel.
Oh Return when you're ready.
Thank you.
Miss Wilson! Why next Tuesday? (OLIVE SINGS) There is a land where summer skies Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies, in harm Need a hand there? Welcome back, Sister Haynes.
Thank you, Dooley.
You know that was penned by your compatriot? Well, it is called 'The Song of Australia'.
Well No.
I mean, the author, she was from Adelaide.
-Was she, now? -Yeah.
If only I could hold a tune, we might almost be related.
You missed a bit.
I don't care if I have to clean every bedpan No.
1 possesses.
To be at our hospital amongst our own boys Chin up, Sister Steele.
You never have to face the Bullus again.
Oh, no, it's not that.
It's just Next Tuesday is April 25 - a year since the Gallipoli landing.
A year? Already? Miss Wilson was saying that CO was organising a service for those of us .
.
who feel would like one.
A lot of the patients will want to be there.
A lot of them WERE there.
And now they're here.
As are we.
We should organise something ourselvesfor the boys.
We should be able to make dozens of gifts up.
Two or three each.
Took the liberty of collecting these for you.
Oh, mail! Thank you, Mr Dooley.
Sister McNaughton.
Sister Peters.
And Sister Ross King.
Mother and maiden aunts.
What has the prodigal daughter been sent this time? Gumleaves? From my father, the old muffin! (SNIFFS) Oh, it smells like home.
You know, we should put one with each gift and write 'Anzac 1916' on each of them - make it a real commemoration.
-What a marvellous idea! -Yes, let's.
No.
Well, not 'no' no.
But the Australian New Zealand Army Corps? If we're to have gumleaves, we should have something Well, something New Zealandish too, shouldn't we? -Do you see? -Yes.
Well, aren't you the emphatic one these days, Sister Steele? What's a New Zealandish floral emblem? Uh, a silver fern.
Ferns grow hereabouts, and we could paint some silver.
Oh, I have watercolours, but no silver among them.
Oh.
Never mind.
The gumleaves will do.
Excuse me.
III might be able to help.
Fancy him helping us out like that.
He wasn't really helping US out.
What do you mean? Olive, he got this paint for you! He's sweet on you, you simpleton.
Don't be silly! Of course he isn't.
He's always bumping into you, doing you little favours.
That is a coincidence.
He watches you with very lovelorn eyes.
For goodness sake, Alice, there is a war on! Not everyone has love on the brain.
Have it your way.
Have you permission to be cutting those? I asked the quartermaster andhe told me it would be alright.
Hmph.
Hmm.
Nice work, Sister.
Though a little early for Christmas.
It's, um, for Anzac Day.
Anzac Day? Never heard of it.
Uh, no.
Well Today, it's a year since the start of the campaign at the Dardanelles.
Did something special happen there? Well Yes.
It did.
Excuse me.
Many of you were there, at Gallipoli, just 12 short months ago, and those of you who weren't, doubtless you know someone who faced those terrible cliffs.
For many, to have actually been at Gallipoli that day, carrying out the landing, facing the Turkish guns, was an easier thing than it is to be here in commemoration of it, for it is a painful thing to remember those brave men of Anzac we have lost forever.
While words are a poor response to the sacrifices of war Oh, yeah.
.
.
I was struck by this poem.
"They went with songs to the battle.
"They were young, "straight of limb, true of eye, "steady and aglow.
"They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted.
"They fell with their faces to the foe.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, "we will remember them.
" We will remember them.
Ten-hut! That was very decent of you the other day.
-Pardon? -The Anzac gifts.
All the other blokes, they're still talking about it.
Oh, it was nothing.
Was it, girls? I doubt 10 people in 1,000 would have done what you did .
.
kindness and .
.
compassion and, uh .
.
ki-kindness.
We need more saline.
I, uh That is, my mates and I, we've done something in return for you.
When you get a moment.
It's not a shower! You grab a bucket, fetch some warm water from the copper .
.
put the bucket up on the hook.
Tug or two on this should give you a reasonable swoosh.
(LAUGHS) And heresome hooks for your things.
Oh, it's wonderful! Thank you, Mr Dooley.
Yes, thank you so much.
Hope you approve too, Sister Haynes.
I remember on Lemnos you said you didn't have proper bathing facilities, you had to cut your hair short.
Well Now you can be a regular Rapunzel.
I don't have time for long hair anymore.
I've long since learned to make do with a bucket.
But I'm sure many of the other girls will avail themselves of your efforts.
Hadn't we better be getting back? -Thank you, Mr Dooley.
-Thank you.
NURSE: Thank you.
Everyone's talking of an offensive east of here, some place called the Somme Valley.
The boys are saying we're making a big decisive push and should break through in a few days.
Yes, well, let's hope that's finally true.
Mmm.
Dooley's not here.
I haven't seen him for a couple of days.
You're giving me a disapproving glower too, are you? No, not disapproving, but .
.
you were rather hard on the poor old chap.
-I don't know what you mean.
-Oh, for You do now concede that Dooley likes you? Well .
.
possibly, but And you like him too? Of course you do! Whatever my feelings, this isn't the time for that sort of thing.
Somehow I don't think we're going to beat the Germans any faster if you don't fall in love with Mr Dooley.
Whatever my feelings, Alice, there is no point.
I could be shipped back to Egypt or England.
And Dooley, the army could send him to India, Greece, anywhere.
-And then where would we be? -This is love, Olive.
Love? You haven't seen Harry for weeks.
You don't even know if he's alive.
That's not love.
That's misery.
The wounded are from British as well as Australian divisions.
Many have been lying in no-man's-land for days.
Expect gunshot wounds, shrapnel, tetanus and gangrene.
Clean and prep for surgery as you go and the doctors will be round as they can.
Major Springer? Can you keep a lookout for Harry? Of course we will.
My feet, they'll be alright, won't they? Doctor will be here in a moment.
Alright if I take your dressings down, have a look? Now, that sounds like an American accent.
What were you doing in the British Army? I, uhI jumped a ship, came to London and joined it.
A stowaway? How romantic.
-You're an Aussie? -I am indeed.
You weren't fighting alongside any Australian battalions, were you? Yeah, the, uh, 45th.
Oh, shoot! You can fix them, can't you, Sister? -What have we got? -He stepped on a landmine.
Both legs have massive wounds.
Gangrene's having a field day with the right one.
Prep him - this one below the knee, this one above.
Is he gonna operate? -Private Winterhalder -Chuck.
Chuck.
The injuries to your legs are very serious.
Um, so serious, Major Springer's decided that the only option is amputation.
The left will be amputated below the knee, but the right has become gangrenous, so the amputation will need to be higher.
But this surgery is the very best option for you.
It'll stop the spread of infection and give you a good chance of recovery.
Chuck? Do you understand what I've told you? Great.
Thank you.
None of these are from Harry's battalion.
I checked.
The 21st wasn't involved.
ALICE: What have the Red Cross sent this time? OLIVE: Eggs from English girls.
"Dear brave tommy, whomever you may be.
"Please enjoy this egg and write back.
"Miss Mabel Bennett, Guildford, Surrey.
" "To a gallant soldier from a grateful Miss Ruby Stonehaven, "Ellingham, Hampshire.
" The war's clearly good for egg romances at least.
Another gas gangrene? Major Springer thinks he's got all the infection, but the poor boy's very weak.
Give him Miss Ruby Stonehaven.
Oh.
I found him.
Oror he found me.
Huh.
After they took off my After they were done, I was just lying here and he jumped up.
Oh.
Little tiger, ain't he? You like cats? I, uhI used to bring home so many strays, Mom took to calling me Tom.
She must miss you.
Mom and Dad divorced a few years back.
Ain't taken too much of an interest in me since.
I'm sure that's not true.
I ain't had any letters since I left.
That kinda says it all, don't it? Perhaps she has written, but it's got lost in the post.
It doesn't mean she doesn't care about you.
Do you reckon I can keep him on my bed? Sister Ross King? Late mail came in from Boulogne.
When I saw this, I thought I'd save you the trouble of turning up again at bugle call, giving me grief with them big sad eyes.
Oh! "My dearest heart, "I hope all is well in faraway Rouen.
"As for me, well, some things change.
"I have been transferred to the 53rd Battalion "and been made adjutant.
"We are still in Egypt.
It's very lovely in Ismailia.
"Sunsets - yes, more sunsets - of orange and gold, "the scent of cloves and spice "to keep fresh my memories of our time together" Harry's safe! He's with a different battalion.
He's still in Egypt, but he's safe.
-That is wonderful news! -Ohh! HARRY: "We are, however, to sail for France any day, "where I hope soon to get leave "and see my one and only Alice in Wonderland.
" Oh, he'll be here in France very soon.
"I love you as ever and always.
"You have all my heart.
Harry.
" I I've noticed that a certain orderly hasn't been about recently, and I was just hoping he wasn't unwell.
Which orderly? Dooley.
Mr Dooley? Uh, no, no, he's not unwell.
-Oh, that's good! -He's gone.
-Gone? -To England.
He was selected for officer training.
I Um, will he be coming back? Yes, but not to No.
1, of course.
As an officer, he'll go wherever the army decides - with this current big push, probably the Somme.
Had you and he become personal friends? No.
I would have liked to say goodbye.
Well, we're none of us masters of our own fates at the moment, I'm afraid.
These last few days have been very challenging.
We've had hundreds of patients admitted.
But, as you have done since we left Australia, you have made me proud to be a nurse and even prouder to be your matron .
.
which is why this is so very hard to say.
I am leaving No.
1 AGH.
The AIF matron-in-chief is taking furlough to Australia and I am to be her replacement in London.
We nurses started this war with battles on two sides - the enemy, of course, and the army.
The army's not always understood us, and we have not always understood the army very well either.
Things have improved a little, but we're still something of a disconnected body.
I'm hoping in my new position to do my part to bridge that disconnection, to help the army better understand how we work and what we need so we can better do what we're here for - care for our sick and wounded men.
-Miss Wilson! -Sisters.
We've, um, come to drink your health.
Oh! That's very kind, but The army waits for no man, and certainly no woman.
-Colonel, it has been an honour.
-Matron Wilson, thank you.
-Oh, sorry.
-Sister Steele.
-Thank you, Miss Wilson.
-Thank you.
-Oh, Sister Ross King.
-Goodbye, Miss Wilson.
You've made me very proud.
Keep up the good work.
-WILSON: Goodbye! -Goodbye, Miss Wilson! Goodbye! Good luck, Matron! Goodbye, Miss Wilson! Well, we can still drink to her health, as it's our day off.
-I want to write to Harry.
-You wrote to him yesterday.
You're hopeless! What about you? I'm afraid I can't, Olive.
I have a mountain of mending.
Not a stocking fit to be seen in.
Kit and I are going to the engineers concert.
-Jessie? -I'm on night duty.
I have to sleep.
You lot of wet blankets! This is Miss Wilson we're talking about! To Miss Grace Wilson, the very best matron this side of the front line.
This side of the equator.
To Alice's Lieutenant Moffitt.
Go it, Harry.
To Mr Dooley.
You go and become an officer, Mr Dooley.
Good on you.
Oh, oh Oh! -Olive? -Ohh -Olive! -Please don't shout.
It's from Harry.
I got a telegram from Harry.
He's in France, heading to the front, and he's going to pass through Rouen.
-Well, that's marvellous.
-Isn't it? And that's not the best part.
Dear Major Prior did all in his power to find out when the 53rd's train is due.
And? It's today, Olive! I'm going to see Harry today.
Sorry.
MAN: So long, Rouen, and goodbye! -Hello, Australia! -Oh, hello! You're a long way from home too, eh? -Yes, indeed.
Are you the 53rd? -No, the 9th.
But every man and his dog are coming north these days.
Oh, thank you, and good luck! Good luck to you too, sweetheart.
Or the 53rd were never coming through here to begin with.
Five minutes would have done.
Just a glimpse.
Next time.
Kitty? Kitty? Jessie, the boy in bed six? The American? He died just after I came on shift.
Sepsis.
There was a kitten on his bed.
I tried to catch it, but it ran away.
Someone should write to his mother.
ALICE: "To Mrs M.
Winterhalder, "New York City.
"Dear Mrs Winterhalder, "By now, you will have received official notification "of the passing of your son, Private Chuck Winterhalder.
"I nursed Private Winterhalder at No.
1" OLIVE: "Dear Mrs Lindsay, "Your son, Sapper James Lindsay, "spent his last days at No.
1 AGH, "where it was my privilege to care for him "and enjoy his special company and bright smile.
"He particularly asked me "to send you this lock of his hair, "which I enclose here with my deep condolences.
"Yours sincerely" ".
.
imagine how very hard his passing will be for you.
"He was most anxious that his "love for you to be passed on" ".
.
though very frail, "Corporal Jones still managed to enjoy his porridge, "though he confided to me "it wasn't nearly as good as yours" WOMAN 2: ".
.
passed away from wounds received in battle "but never once complained.
" ".
.
Sergeant Abrahams was always ready with a smile "for those around him.
" HILDA: "It is with deep regret "that I write these few lines to you.
"I only met your brother when he came" WOMAN: ".
.
expressed a particular fondness "for the birds he could see from the trenches.
"Suffering a severe shell wound to the chest" OLIVE: ".
.
known and loved by all the boys, "was buried this afternoon in a military cemetery, "a happy soul "whom it was my pleasure and privilege to nurse.
" If it's Major Springer with more complaints about blunt surgical scissors, tell him I have syphilis.
OLIVE: So how did you find officers training? Well, I learnt to be shouted at by men with many more shoulder pips than I.
I'm very clearly officer material.
Well, we've certainly missed you around here.
-Have you? -Oh, yes.
Been in a frightful tear, convoys coming in at all hours.
We've needed every orderly we can get.
But I'm so glad that you've popped back.
I have to thank you for the .
.
for the shower stall.
After my lack of enthusiasm, I have become somewhat of a shower hog.
.
.
thank you, Mr Lieutenant Dooley.
I wish you'd call me Pat.
Sister Haynes Olive.
I have thought of nothing but you even since I first saw you on Lemnos.
And at risk of being laughed at .
.
I believe I am altogether hopelessly in love with you.
And I was wondering .
.
hoping .
.
that you might feel somethingfor me.
I realise I'm being abrupt, but there's so little time, and, given the circumstances, time is of the essence.
You just have to be straight with things.
It's not It'sit's Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies In harm Olive! For God's sake! Where are you going? You're not going out dressed like that, are you? What's she doing? Sorry! Dooley! I mean Lieutenant.
I didn't expect to see you.
Yes - you see, I'm going to volunteer for the casualty clearing station.
There's one quite near quite near Trois Arbre.
-I see.
-Do you, though? You're right.
Sometimes one has to .
.
put their fears aside and seize the moment.
Carpe diem and all that.
Do you really take my meaning? Pat! and here you are chasing one practically to the front line? I can't bear to be without him! I hope you don't have any of my words written down someplace, because I believe I owe it to you to eat quite a lot of them.
They're probably more nourishing than bully beef.
Hello there, Corporal.
You lie still while I take your dressings down.
It's alright.
You're quite safe.
-ARGGH! -Alice! -Get away from me! Get away! -Are you alright? -MAN: Hold him! -Get aget away! -Get away from me! Get away! -Hold still.
Hold still.
Hello there, Major! We've had the loveliest picnic.
I wish you could have joined us.
Would you like a strawberry? Something wrong? I, uh There was a battle last week at a place called Fromelles.
The 53rd Battalion were sent up for it .
.
and .
.
were heavily involved.
Harry? Lieutenant Moffitt, uh Harry Harry was killed.
I'm so sorry, Alice.
I'm so, so sorry.
Alice You're off to Trois Arbre? How is she? The post came.
Oh, no.
Can you? -Take care.
-You too.
-And ofAlice.
-Mmm.
Goodbye, Alice.
Alice, something's come for you.
A letter.
HARRY: "Dearest heart of mine, "We are right in the thick of it all again.
"This afternoon, we had a severe bombardment, "but as you can see, I am quite fit.
"All is over now, and I'll have to get away, "as I have lots to do.
"If only I could have one little kiss and one hug, "how happy I would be.
" "and the magnificent growth of poppies and cornflowers "make a wonderful contrast "to the surrounding scene of desolation.
"The trenches are a great improvement "to those at Gallipoli, "but the work, darling, is long.
"I seem to be going day and night.
"I get down for a moment then I am called up.
"I love you long and dearly, love of mine, "so think longingly of me "and dream that I am as you know I am "in your waking moments - "ever your sweetheart, Harry.
" "but each day, I pray that this terrible news "will be contradicted.
" If the Germans found him and he was dead, then why isn't his name on the list? You're here! What are you doing here? Oh, Patski! I can't.
Sister, you'll have to finish the anaesthetic.
-What if I give him too much? -A few drops at a time.
-One.
-One.
They announced an anaesthetist training program for nurses.
It might put a few noses out, but it's a good initiative.
-That's the gas.
-Help me! If they're moving, talking, fix them up.
They're needed back on the front.
But if they're dying? Our orders are to concentrate on the ones that aren't.
But everyone calls me Pat.
"A book of verses underneath the bough, "a jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou.
" That's how I feel about you, Alice.
Our boys are getting slaughtered at Gallipoli and the ones that pull through get sent straight back to be killed.
I feel like a chewed-up piece of string most days.
My hair is revolting! Major Prior, this is Alice, or Sister Alice Ross King.
-Lovely to meet you, Major.
-And you too, Sister.
Syd's been declared unfit for all service.
He's being sent away for three months to recuperate.
-Sent where? -Home.
Afraid I'm still a little slow up top.
At home, you'll be with Syd, able to give him proper care.
So whither next, ladies? I imagine France.
It's something of a hot spot.
Are you going to marry me, Harry Lowry Moffitt? If you'll marry me, Alice Ross King.
"Well, after leaving Egypt and crossing the Mediterranean, "we were a week hanging around Marseilles" There is a land where summer skies are gleaming In harmonies "We've been three long days now travelling to Rouen.
"With so much time spent on the sightings, "most of the Aussie 1st Division passed us on the way up.
"But though I looked and looked, "none of those hundreds of men was the one of whom I dream.
"Oh, love of my heart, "it seems impossible to live away from you.
"I'm hoping and praying you are already in France "and that we will see each other soon.
" And, Pete, your milliner's delight.
-If only! My hats are a fright.
-They've forgotten my grip.
-I'm sure it's here somewhere.
-Come on, blokes.
Smoko's over! Excuse me.
What battalion are you with? -The 2nd.
-Oh.
Um You were at Gallipoli? Can you tell me if the 21st have arrived in France? Sister, they could be anywhere from Salonika to Southampton, and from what I've seen of France, they're better off staying there.
Alice! Come on.
Come along, Sisters.
Move along.
All together.
Yes, before it rains.
Form two lines.
That's it.
Come on.
That's right.
That must be the CO.
'P's and 'Q's, girls.
Colonel de Crespigny.
The nursing staff of No.
1 AGH, ready for duty.
And most welcome, Matron, but I'm afraid No.
1 isn't ready in return.
Here we go again.
I'd hoped to be opening tomorrow, especially with the army increasing action at the front, but the site we've been allotted by High Command is It requires some amendments.
My nurses will be on hand to stock and open the wards as they become ready.
And that's what I'd planned for you too, but High Command have decided that until we're open, you're to be deployed at British No.
11.
-In their wisdom.
-Yes, sir.
My adjutant will show you to your living quarters.
So we're not working at our own hospital? It seems we're to help the British.
Working with the Queen Alexandra's! Hey! We've gotta unpack.
Are you listening? Left, left! Got cotton wool in your ears? The other left! Left a bit! Excuse me.
Has any post arrived? Wait for the bugle call like everyone else.
Do you know when It's just I'm expecting a letter.
Wait for the bugle call like everyone else! Right.
Come Come back here.
Three colonials on my ward.
What have I done to deserve this? Are they staff nurses or VADs? Sisters Ross King, Haynes and Steele are all fully qualified.
They can do dressings, splits, foments? As I said, they're fully qualified.
Well, we're expecting a convoy of convalescents from the casualty clearing station.
Have the beds made up and ready.
-Yes, Sister Bullus.
-WARD Sister Bullus.
Why are we yet again the last unit to receive our own facilities? Honestly, trekking all the way to the MOs latrine in this weather there were zeppelins about the other night and our anti-aircraft were firing on 'em.
There's a man by our hut.
Harry! Harry! Oh! Major Prior.
I -Hello.
-G'day, Alice.
I thought I'd see how you're settling in.
-Sisters.
-Have you been in camp long? Oh, we butchers and bakers are practically first in.
Soldiers are just digestive tracts on legs, after all.
Have youhad mail? Mail from a certain lieutenant of the 21st? I haven't heard from Harry since before we sailed.
I was hoping he'd be in France, but Well, if the way he spoke of you to me is anything to go by, he's raring to get here.
Ladies.
Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies In harmonies Grassy knoll and forest height Are flushing in the rosy light And all above, in azure light Australia, Australia! Australia! There is a land where honey flows Where laughing corn luxurious grows Land of the myrtle and Dooley? Sister Haynes! (PANTS) You remember me.
Of course I do.
You're looking .
.
very hale.
Um What have you been doing since Lemnos? Well, uh, I was at Tel-el-Kebir, then I moved on to France, and I arrived here a few days ago.
Been uprooting the entire place ever since.
This is to be our nurses dugout, I suppose, to protect us from the zeppelins.
Uhh No, these are to be your, um WCs.
Oh, even better! We're short on facilities.
And I know after Lemnos how much one appreciates a strategically placed latrine.
Sure.
-Dooley.
-Yeah? -That song -'Song of Australia'? Do you know it? Carry on, then.
Butchers and bakers.
NCOs.
-Nurses.
-Yes, please.
I'll take it.
Officers.
Quartermasters.
-This can't be all.
-All that came.
Could you have dropped one, missed it behind the desk That's all that came.
I don't understand it.
Harry must be in France by now.
-It needs more linseed.
-It's been weeks.
He most evidently can't be bothered writing.
The water.
Surely he wouldn't neglect me if he really cared.
Not that much! Olive, I do know how to make linseed poultice.
Well, you're making a mess of this one.
Concentrate on the matter at hand.
Who is responsible for this? You? Or was it another useless VAD who washed these bowls? I don't think so, Ward Sister Bullus.
-I did them.
-You? But washing's not the job of a sister.
It isn't? In Australia, both staff nurses and sisters do it.
I don't know how you do things in Australia, but I'd sack my pantry maid if she left crockery in this state.
Yes, Ward Sister Bullus.
you'd think we were England's enemies instead of belonging to her.
I was wondering how much longer until No.
1 will be ready for us.
Drains are dug, ward marquees are going up.
We'll be another week fitting them out.
A week? Very well.
How are you finding working with our Imperial cousins? My nurses can work anywhere.
-You were on Lemnos? -Mm-hm.
I've heard you achieved miraculous things there under very trying conditions.
Oh, any matron's only as good as the nurses she leads.
I believe I've got a bout of cianalas.
Is that Gaelic for 'fever'? No, Sister.
It's Gaelic for 'homesickness'.
And where is your home? A wee place called Pettycur.
Pettycur? What a lovely name.
Oh, look, it's nothing special.
It's just bare hills and the sea sparkling on the firth.
The firth? Is that the bay? Aye.
The beautiful Firth of Forth.
I love watching the sun on the water as well.
It's likelike little bits of jewels.
It's 3pm - teatime.
Yes.
Um, Private McLeod was just telling me about his home town.
It's 3pm! Teatime! Oh, yes, good.
The tea's almost ready, Ward Sister Bullus.
Is this your idea of a joke? The handles! Oh, I'll do it myself.
Slapdash.
No sense of order.
You call yourself a military nurse! What if the CNO came in? What if he saw the slovenly way you present things? UmI'm very sorry.
You colonials lack any sense of what's right and proper.
You're slatterns, the lot of you, lowering the standards of our profession! That's quite enough! Sister Steele, you need some fresh air.
Please take a few minutes.
Go back to work, Sister Haynes.
I'll help Ward Sister Bullus with the teas.
I shouldn't have raised my voice to her, but, frankly, ever since your nurses got here, this ward has been in a complete state.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Has the rate of mortality increased? Well, no.
The morbidity? Patients failing to thrive? Order, Miss Wilson.
A hospital needs order, particularly a military one.
Bed out of line.
Covers misaligned.
Pillows the wrong way.
And they spend far too much time fraternising with the men.
My nurses are absolutely committed to their patients.
Well, then, they should know that a tidy, well-kept ward is the mental rest of those who are in it.
I quite agree.
But one wouldn't want to lay more stress on the orderliness of one's ward and on the care of the patients within it.
Would one? Oh, this is a lovely spot.
Miss Wilson, I'll get back to work.
You can be spared a little longer.
As of the end of shift, the CO is recalling us to No.
1.
Butour orders He's decided it's important that we're all together and up and running by next Tuesday.
Ohh! That is such a relief.
Hm.
When I was little, I saw a picture of one in a book in her uniform and I thought, "I want to be like that" - calm and competent and useful.
Mmm.
I am so sorry for letting you down, Miss Wilson.
"How little can be done under the spirit of fear.
" Do you know who said that? Florence Nightingale herself.
We and the Queen Alexandra's have rather different approaches to getting things done.
That's all.
And remember, Sister Steele, to do your duty, you've left your home halfway around the world.
It's a lot further than just across the Channel.
Oh Return when you're ready.
Thank you.
Miss Wilson! Why next Tuesday? (OLIVE SINGS) There is a land where summer skies Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies, in harm Need a hand there? Welcome back, Sister Haynes.
Thank you, Dooley.
You know that was penned by your compatriot? Well, it is called 'The Song of Australia'.
Well No.
I mean, the author, she was from Adelaide.
-Was she, now? -Yeah.
If only I could hold a tune, we might almost be related.
You missed a bit.
I don't care if I have to clean every bedpan No.
1 possesses.
To be at our hospital amongst our own boys Chin up, Sister Steele.
You never have to face the Bullus again.
Oh, no, it's not that.
It's just Next Tuesday is April 25 - a year since the Gallipoli landing.
A year? Already? Miss Wilson was saying that CO was organising a service for those of us .
.
who feel would like one.
A lot of the patients will want to be there.
A lot of them WERE there.
And now they're here.
As are we.
We should organise something ourselvesfor the boys.
We should be able to make dozens of gifts up.
Two or three each.
Took the liberty of collecting these for you.
Oh, mail! Thank you, Mr Dooley.
Sister McNaughton.
Sister Peters.
And Sister Ross King.
Mother and maiden aunts.
What has the prodigal daughter been sent this time? Gumleaves? From my father, the old muffin! (SNIFFS) Oh, it smells like home.
You know, we should put one with each gift and write 'Anzac 1916' on each of them - make it a real commemoration.
-What a marvellous idea! -Yes, let's.
No.
Well, not 'no' no.
But the Australian New Zealand Army Corps? If we're to have gumleaves, we should have something Well, something New Zealandish too, shouldn't we? -Do you see? -Yes.
Well, aren't you the emphatic one these days, Sister Steele? What's a New Zealandish floral emblem? Uh, a silver fern.
Ferns grow hereabouts, and we could paint some silver.
Oh, I have watercolours, but no silver among them.
Oh.
Never mind.
The gumleaves will do.
Excuse me.
III might be able to help.
Fancy him helping us out like that.
He wasn't really helping US out.
What do you mean? Olive, he got this paint for you! He's sweet on you, you simpleton.
Don't be silly! Of course he isn't.
He's always bumping into you, doing you little favours.
That is a coincidence.
He watches you with very lovelorn eyes.
For goodness sake, Alice, there is a war on! Not everyone has love on the brain.
Have it your way.
Have you permission to be cutting those? I asked the quartermaster andhe told me it would be alright.
Hmph.
Hmm.
Nice work, Sister.
Though a little early for Christmas.
It's, um, for Anzac Day.
Anzac Day? Never heard of it.
Uh, no.
Well Today, it's a year since the start of the campaign at the Dardanelles.
Did something special happen there? Well Yes.
It did.
Excuse me.
Many of you were there, at Gallipoli, just 12 short months ago, and those of you who weren't, doubtless you know someone who faced those terrible cliffs.
For many, to have actually been at Gallipoli that day, carrying out the landing, facing the Turkish guns, was an easier thing than it is to be here in commemoration of it, for it is a painful thing to remember those brave men of Anzac we have lost forever.
While words are a poor response to the sacrifices of war Oh, yeah.
.
.
I was struck by this poem.
"They went with songs to the battle.
"They were young, "straight of limb, true of eye, "steady and aglow.
"They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted.
"They fell with their faces to the foe.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, "we will remember them.
" We will remember them.
Ten-hut! That was very decent of you the other day.
-Pardon? -The Anzac gifts.
All the other blokes, they're still talking about it.
Oh, it was nothing.
Was it, girls? I doubt 10 people in 1,000 would have done what you did .
.
kindness and .
.
compassion and, uh .
.
ki-kindness.
We need more saline.
I, uh That is, my mates and I, we've done something in return for you.
When you get a moment.
It's not a shower! You grab a bucket, fetch some warm water from the copper .
.
put the bucket up on the hook.
Tug or two on this should give you a reasonable swoosh.
(LAUGHS) And heresome hooks for your things.
Oh, it's wonderful! Thank you, Mr Dooley.
Yes, thank you so much.
Hope you approve too, Sister Haynes.
I remember on Lemnos you said you didn't have proper bathing facilities, you had to cut your hair short.
Well Now you can be a regular Rapunzel.
I don't have time for long hair anymore.
I've long since learned to make do with a bucket.
But I'm sure many of the other girls will avail themselves of your efforts.
Hadn't we better be getting back? -Thank you, Mr Dooley.
-Thank you.
NURSE: Thank you.
Everyone's talking of an offensive east of here, some place called the Somme Valley.
The boys are saying we're making a big decisive push and should break through in a few days.
Yes, well, let's hope that's finally true.
Mmm.
Dooley's not here.
I haven't seen him for a couple of days.
You're giving me a disapproving glower too, are you? No, not disapproving, but .
.
you were rather hard on the poor old chap.
-I don't know what you mean.
-Oh, for You do now concede that Dooley likes you? Well .
.
possibly, but And you like him too? Of course you do! Whatever my feelings, this isn't the time for that sort of thing.
Somehow I don't think we're going to beat the Germans any faster if you don't fall in love with Mr Dooley.
Whatever my feelings, Alice, there is no point.
I could be shipped back to Egypt or England.
And Dooley, the army could send him to India, Greece, anywhere.
-And then where would we be? -This is love, Olive.
Love? You haven't seen Harry for weeks.
You don't even know if he's alive.
That's not love.
That's misery.
The wounded are from British as well as Australian divisions.
Many have been lying in no-man's-land for days.
Expect gunshot wounds, shrapnel, tetanus and gangrene.
Clean and prep for surgery as you go and the doctors will be round as they can.
Major Springer? Can you keep a lookout for Harry? Of course we will.
My feet, they'll be alright, won't they? Doctor will be here in a moment.
Alright if I take your dressings down, have a look? Now, that sounds like an American accent.
What were you doing in the British Army? I, uhI jumped a ship, came to London and joined it.
A stowaway? How romantic.
-You're an Aussie? -I am indeed.
You weren't fighting alongside any Australian battalions, were you? Yeah, the, uh, 45th.
Oh, shoot! You can fix them, can't you, Sister? -What have we got? -He stepped on a landmine.
Both legs have massive wounds.
Gangrene's having a field day with the right one.
Prep him - this one below the knee, this one above.
Is he gonna operate? -Private Winterhalder -Chuck.
Chuck.
The injuries to your legs are very serious.
Um, so serious, Major Springer's decided that the only option is amputation.
The left will be amputated below the knee, but the right has become gangrenous, so the amputation will need to be higher.
But this surgery is the very best option for you.
It'll stop the spread of infection and give you a good chance of recovery.
Chuck? Do you understand what I've told you? Great.
Thank you.
None of these are from Harry's battalion.
I checked.
The 21st wasn't involved.
ALICE: What have the Red Cross sent this time? OLIVE: Eggs from English girls.
"Dear brave tommy, whomever you may be.
"Please enjoy this egg and write back.
"Miss Mabel Bennett, Guildford, Surrey.
" "To a gallant soldier from a grateful Miss Ruby Stonehaven, "Ellingham, Hampshire.
" The war's clearly good for egg romances at least.
Another gas gangrene? Major Springer thinks he's got all the infection, but the poor boy's very weak.
Give him Miss Ruby Stonehaven.
Oh.
I found him.
Oror he found me.
Huh.
After they took off my After they were done, I was just lying here and he jumped up.
Oh.
Little tiger, ain't he? You like cats? I, uhI used to bring home so many strays, Mom took to calling me Tom.
She must miss you.
Mom and Dad divorced a few years back.
Ain't taken too much of an interest in me since.
I'm sure that's not true.
I ain't had any letters since I left.
That kinda says it all, don't it? Perhaps she has written, but it's got lost in the post.
It doesn't mean she doesn't care about you.
Do you reckon I can keep him on my bed? Sister Ross King? Late mail came in from Boulogne.
When I saw this, I thought I'd save you the trouble of turning up again at bugle call, giving me grief with them big sad eyes.
Oh! "My dearest heart, "I hope all is well in faraway Rouen.
"As for me, well, some things change.
"I have been transferred to the 53rd Battalion "and been made adjutant.
"We are still in Egypt.
It's very lovely in Ismailia.
"Sunsets - yes, more sunsets - of orange and gold, "the scent of cloves and spice "to keep fresh my memories of our time together" Harry's safe! He's with a different battalion.
He's still in Egypt, but he's safe.
-That is wonderful news! -Ohh! HARRY: "We are, however, to sail for France any day, "where I hope soon to get leave "and see my one and only Alice in Wonderland.
" Oh, he'll be here in France very soon.
"I love you as ever and always.
"You have all my heart.
Harry.
" I I've noticed that a certain orderly hasn't been about recently, and I was just hoping he wasn't unwell.
Which orderly? Dooley.
Mr Dooley? Uh, no, no, he's not unwell.
-Oh, that's good! -He's gone.
-Gone? -To England.
He was selected for officer training.
I Um, will he be coming back? Yes, but not to No.
1, of course.
As an officer, he'll go wherever the army decides - with this current big push, probably the Somme.
Had you and he become personal friends? No.
I would have liked to say goodbye.
Well, we're none of us masters of our own fates at the moment, I'm afraid.
These last few days have been very challenging.
We've had hundreds of patients admitted.
But, as you have done since we left Australia, you have made me proud to be a nurse and even prouder to be your matron .
.
which is why this is so very hard to say.
I am leaving No.
1 AGH.
The AIF matron-in-chief is taking furlough to Australia and I am to be her replacement in London.
We nurses started this war with battles on two sides - the enemy, of course, and the army.
The army's not always understood us, and we have not always understood the army very well either.
Things have improved a little, but we're still something of a disconnected body.
I'm hoping in my new position to do my part to bridge that disconnection, to help the army better understand how we work and what we need so we can better do what we're here for - care for our sick and wounded men.
-Miss Wilson! -Sisters.
We've, um, come to drink your health.
Oh! That's very kind, but The army waits for no man, and certainly no woman.
-Colonel, it has been an honour.
-Matron Wilson, thank you.
-Oh, sorry.
-Sister Steele.
-Thank you, Miss Wilson.
-Thank you.
-Oh, Sister Ross King.
-Goodbye, Miss Wilson.
You've made me very proud.
Keep up the good work.
-WILSON: Goodbye! -Goodbye, Miss Wilson! Goodbye! Good luck, Matron! Goodbye, Miss Wilson! Well, we can still drink to her health, as it's our day off.
-I want to write to Harry.
-You wrote to him yesterday.
You're hopeless! What about you? I'm afraid I can't, Olive.
I have a mountain of mending.
Not a stocking fit to be seen in.
Kit and I are going to the engineers concert.
-Jessie? -I'm on night duty.
I have to sleep.
You lot of wet blankets! This is Miss Wilson we're talking about! To Miss Grace Wilson, the very best matron this side of the front line.
This side of the equator.
To Alice's Lieutenant Moffitt.
Go it, Harry.
To Mr Dooley.
You go and become an officer, Mr Dooley.
Good on you.
Oh, oh Oh! -Olive? -Ohh -Olive! -Please don't shout.
It's from Harry.
I got a telegram from Harry.
He's in France, heading to the front, and he's going to pass through Rouen.
-Well, that's marvellous.
-Isn't it? And that's not the best part.
Dear Major Prior did all in his power to find out when the 53rd's train is due.
And? It's today, Olive! I'm going to see Harry today.
Sorry.
MAN: So long, Rouen, and goodbye! -Hello, Australia! -Oh, hello! You're a long way from home too, eh? -Yes, indeed.
Are you the 53rd? -No, the 9th.
But every man and his dog are coming north these days.
Oh, thank you, and good luck! Good luck to you too, sweetheart.
Or the 53rd were never coming through here to begin with.
Five minutes would have done.
Just a glimpse.
Next time.
Kitty? Kitty? Jessie, the boy in bed six? The American? He died just after I came on shift.
Sepsis.
There was a kitten on his bed.
I tried to catch it, but it ran away.
Someone should write to his mother.
ALICE: "To Mrs M.
Winterhalder, "New York City.
"Dear Mrs Winterhalder, "By now, you will have received official notification "of the passing of your son, Private Chuck Winterhalder.
"I nursed Private Winterhalder at No.
1" OLIVE: "Dear Mrs Lindsay, "Your son, Sapper James Lindsay, "spent his last days at No.
1 AGH, "where it was my privilege to care for him "and enjoy his special company and bright smile.
"He particularly asked me "to send you this lock of his hair, "which I enclose here with my deep condolences.
"Yours sincerely" ".
.
imagine how very hard his passing will be for you.
"He was most anxious that his "love for you to be passed on" ".
.
though very frail, "Corporal Jones still managed to enjoy his porridge, "though he confided to me "it wasn't nearly as good as yours" WOMAN 2: ".
.
passed away from wounds received in battle "but never once complained.
" ".
.
Sergeant Abrahams was always ready with a smile "for those around him.
" HILDA: "It is with deep regret "that I write these few lines to you.
"I only met your brother when he came" WOMAN: ".
.
expressed a particular fondness "for the birds he could see from the trenches.
"Suffering a severe shell wound to the chest" OLIVE: ".
.
known and loved by all the boys, "was buried this afternoon in a military cemetery, "a happy soul "whom it was my pleasure and privilege to nurse.
" If it's Major Springer with more complaints about blunt surgical scissors, tell him I have syphilis.
OLIVE: So how did you find officers training? Well, I learnt to be shouted at by men with many more shoulder pips than I.
I'm very clearly officer material.
Well, we've certainly missed you around here.
-Have you? -Oh, yes.
Been in a frightful tear, convoys coming in at all hours.
We've needed every orderly we can get.
But I'm so glad that you've popped back.
I have to thank you for the .
.
for the shower stall.
After my lack of enthusiasm, I have become somewhat of a shower hog.
.
.
thank you, Mr Lieutenant Dooley.
I wish you'd call me Pat.
Sister Haynes Olive.
I have thought of nothing but you even since I first saw you on Lemnos.
And at risk of being laughed at .
.
I believe I am altogether hopelessly in love with you.
And I was wondering .
.
hoping .
.
that you might feel somethingfor me.
I realise I'm being abrupt, but there's so little time, and, given the circumstances, time is of the essence.
You just have to be straight with things.
It's not It'sit's Are gleaming with a thousand dyes Blending in witching harmonies In harm Olive! For God's sake! Where are you going? You're not going out dressed like that, are you? What's she doing? Sorry! Dooley! I mean Lieutenant.
I didn't expect to see you.
Yes - you see, I'm going to volunteer for the casualty clearing station.
There's one quite near quite near Trois Arbre.
-I see.
-Do you, though? You're right.
Sometimes one has to .
.
put their fears aside and seize the moment.
Carpe diem and all that.
Do you really take my meaning? Pat! and here you are chasing one practically to the front line? I can't bear to be without him! I hope you don't have any of my words written down someplace, because I believe I owe it to you to eat quite a lot of them.
They're probably more nourishing than bully beef.
Hello there, Corporal.
You lie still while I take your dressings down.
It's alright.
You're quite safe.
-ARGGH! -Alice! -Get away from me! Get away! -Are you alright? -MAN: Hold him! -Get aget away! -Get away from me! Get away! -Hold still.
Hold still.
Hello there, Major! We've had the loveliest picnic.
I wish you could have joined us.
Would you like a strawberry? Something wrong? I, uh There was a battle last week at a place called Fromelles.
The 53rd Battalion were sent up for it .
.
and .
.
were heavily involved.
Harry? Lieutenant Moffitt, uh Harry Harry was killed.
I'm so sorry, Alice.
I'm so, so sorry.
Alice You're off to Trois Arbre? How is she? The post came.
Oh, no.
Can you? -Take care.
-You too.
-And ofAlice.
-Mmm.
Goodbye, Alice.
Alice, something's come for you.
A letter.
HARRY: "Dearest heart of mine, "We are right in the thick of it all again.
"This afternoon, we had a severe bombardment, "but as you can see, I am quite fit.
"All is over now, and I'll have to get away, "as I have lots to do.
"If only I could have one little kiss and one hug, "how happy I would be.
" "and the magnificent growth of poppies and cornflowers "make a wonderful contrast "to the surrounding scene of desolation.
"The trenches are a great improvement "to those at Gallipoli, "but the work, darling, is long.
"I seem to be going day and night.
"I get down for a moment then I am called up.
"I love you long and dearly, love of mine, "so think longingly of me "and dream that I am as you know I am "in your waking moments - "ever your sweetheart, Harry.
" "but each day, I pray that this terrible news "will be contradicted.
" If the Germans found him and he was dead, then why isn't his name on the list? You're here! What are you doing here? Oh, Patski! I can't.
Sister, you'll have to finish the anaesthetic.
-What if I give him too much? -A few drops at a time.
-One.
-One.
They announced an anaesthetist training program for nurses.
It might put a few noses out, but it's a good initiative.
-That's the gas.
-Help me! If they're moving, talking, fix them up.
They're needed back on the front.
But if they're dying? Our orders are to concentrate on the ones that aren't.