Empire and Tyranny

Our heroes, Joe and Mike, are back from WWI. Having served a short spell on the Western Front, they spent long years in various POW camps in Germany. On their return to Newcastle, they have a good deal of readjusting to do - as do all those involved in the conflict. It takes time, but with each other's support and that of their families, they gradually reintegrate into more or less everyday family life.

However, it isn't long until the fallout from such an expensive war (both in terms of lives and the national economy) takes its toll on their community and those around the world. The reparations demanded from Germany, involving cheap or free coal and other essentials, affect life in Britain and, in particular, that of the northeast. There mining, shipbuilding, and other heavy industries have, until now, been staples of that region.

And then there is the Great Depression, beginning in the USA but soon affecting the rest of the world, and the families of both men are soon hit. Although both men have found work in their former shipyard, employment opportunities are limited, both for veterans of the last war and their offspring. Eventually, Joe's older children decide to move south to promise better prospects, and the rest of the family soon follows.

Canadian forces join with Britain and the Allies. Large numbers of Canadian personnel arrive in Britain for training and defending the islands before being sent to the continent to fight the Nazis. In London and Croydon, where the Rutherford's have settled, is being bombed continuously, resulting in catastrophic numbers of dead and wounded. George Bergen forges lasting friendships among his fellow Canadians and, partly by accident, meets Joe's young daughter, Dolly. It's not long before they become more than friends and, during one of his leaves, they marry and soon have a son. George is then dispatched to the Mediterranean to take part in the Italian Campaign.

While in Italy, George is terribly concerned about news from his new family, but at the same time has to continue to do his duty in Europe, where some of his colleagues have also met young ladies and eventually marry. Such is life, particularly in war. However, at long last, and after many years, peace is finally achieved in Europe, and George and Dolly settle in Canada to begin their new life with their young family.

After close to half a century, the world has been embroiled in war. The most destructive conflict in the history of man has ended, but how long will this well-earned peace last...?