August 1914: Germany declares war. The British military recruitment drive for World War I swings into action, and young women shame the young men who don't join up as cowards. Moving to the trenches, the play portrays the shock and tedium of those caught up in the terrible conflict, from the ordinary soldier, to volunteer nurses, to the officers faced with an impossible task of winning a few yards of territory on the battlefield. Getting home—leave to "Blighty" becomes an essential respite for war—weary young soldiers who long to escape from the trauma of their experiences.