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. Thrashing the Germans won’t be a problem for Kitchener’s New Army. Ben discovers that conditions in the trenches are beyond his imagining, and bitterly regrets persuading his brothers, miners Joe and Billy, to volunteer and fight.

Polly Bennison hates Ben going off to war. There's no choice for her 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 the attacks on Hartlepool and Scarborough.It turns out the war is not just for soldiers, its being fought by everyone.

Margaret Bennison watches her three sons leave for the Front with despair, but the boys’ father is all for King and Country, and is proud they will serve.

As the established order in Britain and the World falls to pieces, what will become of the Bennison family?

A true story of one family's battle to survive.