Private Peaceful - Episode 6: synopsis
Tommo in the present sees a new moon rising and wonders if those back home will also be seeing it…
Tommo’s next recollection is how Big Joe goes missing following the shooting of Bertha. The whole village is alerted to Joe’s disappearance, including the Colonel up at the ‘Big House’. The Colonel calls in the police to assist and it is agreed that if anyone finds Big Joe the church bell will be rung.
All night the villagers search for Big Joe, dreading the worst. Molly thinks she knows where he is and directs Charlie and Tommo to search for him in the church bell tower - on the grounds that Big Joe appears to associate the tower with heaven.
Tommo finds Big Joe there asleep and Charlie rings the bell. The family and other villagers are relieved that Big Joe has been found.
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More from this series
Private Peaceful – Episode 5. audio
Tommo continues to recall childhood events: another confrontation with the Colonel and his pain at the deepening relationship between Charlie and Molly.
Private Peaceful – Episode 7. audio
Tommo recalls how Molly comes to stay with the family and how in the nearby town of Hatherleigh he sees the army recruiting for volunteers. Suddenly the war seems much closer.
Private Peaceful – Episode 8. audio
Tommo's recollection focuses on his military training alongside Charlie, their journey to France, life under Sergeant 'Horrible' Hanley and punishment for insubordination.