Tom Grattans War

Tom Grattan's War

1968 - United Kingdom

Another quality offering from the golden age of teenage television drama, Tom Grattan's War was a period piece, set at the time of the First World War and told the tale of a 16 year-old London lad who is too young to help his country in the far off fields of Flanders, so is therefore set to work on a farm to help with the nation's food production. 

While Tom's father is fighting in Europe his mother is helping the war effort by working in a munitions factory. For his part, Tom is sent on a long journey to Yorkshire where he will learn the ways of the country. Upon his arrival at the Kirkby's moorland farm Tom discovers that it is situated near a prisoner of war camp where many German captives are put to work in the local quarries. It's not long before Tom witnesses a number of locals venting their anger on the prisoners and the youngster is faced with a number of moral dilemmas. Are the locals justified in their actions? Should Tom help these POWs when he discovers a planned attack in retaliation for the death of a local on the battlefield? 

Along with the Kirkby's daughter, Julie, Tom shares numerous adventures involving espionage, kidnapping and plain old skulduggery. For the last episode Yorkshire television pulled out all the stops to end the series with a spectacular plane crash.

Published on February 8th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Thora Hird as The First Lady

A female official takes her seat on a local council. But the no-nonsense councillor has to face up to the bureaucracy of both local and central government.

Also released in 1968

The Growing Summer

Alex, Penny, Robin and Naomi come home from school one day to find their predictable secure pattern of life completely changed.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

The Georgian House

Eerie teenage drama series with a time-travel context.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

The Magic Boomerang

13-year old Tom Thumbleton discovers a boomerang that makes time stand still when thrown.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

knock three times

Children's fantasy series starring Hattie Jacques as a magical aunt.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

Box of Delights

John Masefield's enchanting children's fantasy The Box of Delights, tells the story of a young boy whose chance meeting with a Punch-and-Judy man leads him to a world where almost anything is possible.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

According to Dora

According to Dora, subtitled A Bryan's Eye View on the World, was a starring vehicle for Southport born actress/comedienne Dora Bryan who had made her showbiz debut as a child in pantomime in Manchester.

Also released in 1968

Flight of the Heron

Epic period drama made by Scottish Television and based on D.K. Broster's 1925 novel centred round fictional events at the time of the non-fictional Jacobite Rebellion of 1746 and leading up to the battle of Culloden.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

Best of Enemies

Television's first attempt to poke fun at the world of politics from within the Houses of Parliament in a situation comedy...

Also released in 1968