Debuting in February 1972, this BBC1 drama series featured British regimental life at the turn of the 20th century from the view of two families – the Gaunts and the Brights.
The first series related the Cotswold Regiment’s time in South Africa, fighting in the Boer War – including the disastrous fight for Magersfontein Hill – while the second series followed the regiment on a posting to British India.
The use of multiple different writers (over 15 of them) was noticeable with key characters changing personalities and importance to the plot: For example, the original series hero, Lieutenant Gaunt, was eventually upstaged in the writers’ affections by Captain Willoughby – whose stiff upper lip penetrated as far as his brain causing him to say things like “It was Cowardice but I called it Honour”.
Lt/Captain Richard Gaunt
Christopher Cazenove Captain/Major Alfred Slingsby
Denis Lill Charlotte Gaunt
Wendy Allnutt Captain/Major Rupert Saunders
Bernard Brown Dorothy Saunders
Maria Aitken RSM William Bright
Michael Brennan Cpl. Ernest Bright
James Bate Hon Alice Gaunt
Wendy Williams Mrs Cranleigh-Osborne
Virginia Balfour Col. Cranleigh-Osborne
Frederick Treves Lt James Willoughby
John Hallam Lt/Captain Jeffrey Sissons
Roy Herrick Maud Slingsby
Shirley Dixon Lt. Henry Percival
Michael Elwyn Cecil Rhodes
Leon Sinden Pvt. Hodge
John Hallet Dr Mary Mitcheson/Gaunt
Penelope Lee Lt Col Gaunt-Seymour
Richard Wordsworth Oliver Gaunt
Richard Cornish
