Tommo, Charlie and Molly at the village school.
Private Peaceful - Episode 1: synopsis
Each episode begins with a brief passage in which Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful relates something of his present circumstances, before he begins to recollect events from the past. In the first of these we learn that he is young, is alone and that the night ahead is meaningful to him. For some reason he wishes to remain awake and alert.
After his brief opening reflection Tommo begins his recollection of his childhood, beginning with his first day at school. Throughout we learn about his family. Charlie, his older brother, protects and comforts him. Big Joe, his eldest brother, is cared for at home by his mother. We discover he is different in some way. Tommo describes his two contrasting teachers - Mr Munnings and Miss McAllister - and how he copes with his first day at school. The episode ends with Tommo’s description of the death of his father, for which he feels responsible.
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Clip: The accident in Fords Cleave Wood
More from this series
Private Peaceful – Episode 2. audio
Tommo continues his recollection: how the death of his father means that his mother must accept a job at the Big House, which in turn leads to his great aunt Wolf coming to stay.
Private Peaceful – Episode 3. audio
Tommo remembers how hardship led to poaching on the Colonel's land, the cruelty of 'the Wolfwoman' to their brother, Big Joe...and how Molly fell seriously ill.
Private Peaceful – Episode 4. audio
Tommo recalls how Charlie and he are caught poaching on the Colonel's land; how Charlie and Molly go to work at the Big House; how one day Tommo sees Charlie and Molly holding hands.
