Elmsbury 1931; 20-year-old John Moore worked at his uncle's auctioneers but hated selling off property of the poor. With £100 advance he became an author. On John's return he befriended the Colonel, who educated him about country life.

Landing at Normandy, John Moore thinks back to his childhood, in Brensham, and his teacher Mr. Chorlton, who argued with the vicar about Communism. Ten years on, he is fighting the council and the syndicate, who are buying up public land.

William Hart worked on a traveling fair and moved to Elmsbury with wife Pheemy. She died young and he brought up the children on his own. Inheriting money he finally buys land. In 1939, he is an old man and the Ministry want his land.