Chronicles the lives of brothers Jonathan and Harold Dakers, in the Black Country, focusing on their close bond and the challenges they face, particularly during World War I.
After Jonathan Dakers learns of the death of his father, he reminisces about his childhood.
Due to financial constraints resulting from his father's death, Jonathan is unable to continue his training to be a surgeon, and Harold quits Cambridge for medical school.
Jonathan performs a life-saving tracheotomy on a young girl with Diphtheria.
Summer 1914: With World War I on the horizon, Harold enlists as a Captain and is posted to the Dardanelles. Though eager to serve, Jonathan is exempt. Morse confides that he has repeatedly proposed to Rachel but been turned down; he claims she is in love with Jonathan.
Jonathan and Edie wed after World War II breaks out. Mrs Dakers refuses to believe that Harold has been killed in action.
