Coal House at War Plot
This fascinating living history series transports three families back to 1944 and the Second World War. Having given up their comfortable lives, they are faced with the many hardships that war presented. The families experience all aspects of life as it was in 1944. The men work long, punishing days down the coalmine, followed by tending the Stack Square shared allotment as people were encouraged to ‘Dig for Victory’ to overcome food shortages. They also have to endure the arduous Home Guard training, each getting a taste of army life and discipline. The women have to juggle their relentless household chores with compulsory work at the munitions factory, undertaking a variety of different tasks for the war effort. The children, meanwhile, have their own worries with daily doses of cod liver oil and the ever present threat that their pet rabbits may be served up for dinner.
Coal House Coal House at War aired on October 19th, 2009.
Coal House at War Episodes
1. Episode 1
Deep in the Welsh valleys, three families give up their 21st century creature comforts and time-travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. Will the community survive without a microwave, mobile, fast car or fast food?
2. Episode 2
The families settle into the punishing routine of 1944. The men face a tough training period to equip them for life at the coal face and in the Home Guard. The children cope with school and discipline, and the women face the dangers of the munitions factory as well as running the home.
3. Episode 3
Three Welsh families time travel back to 1944 to face the hardships of life in World War II. The women struggle to impress at the factory and the children find it tough at school.
4. Episode 4
At the end of the first week in the Coal House, how are the children coping with no playstations or mobiles to occupy them? There's a strict school system to contend with and a daily dose of cod liver oil to swallow. Will they pass the school cleanliness inspection, and how will they get on with the animals at Stack Square?
5. Episode 5
The weekend arrives, and with it, a welcome break from work. While the men go to football training, the women go to the hair salon. Just as they start to think they are adjusting to life in the Coal House, however, there are more arrivals..
6. Episode 6
Tensions run high when the workers turn up late to the mine and munitions factory. Whilst their bonuses are under threat, wartime shortages take a grip and the families battle to cope without electricity.
7. Episode 7
The women take on a secret mission at the munitions factory, while the men struggle down the mine. Just as it seems things are looking up with a variety show, the families are brought face to face with the grim realities of war.
8. Episode 8
The new arrivals are settling in as the second week in the Coal House draws to a close. Home sickness is rife, school exams are looming, and the Bevin Boys are learning to cook. But who will give the best performance in the variety show?
9. Episode 9
It is the last week in the Coal House, and the threat of air raids and sleepless nights are taking their toll. The women are charming the butcher for black market meat, while the rivalry between the men and the Bevin Boys is resolved on the football pitch. And there is a surprise visit over Sunday lunch for some of the evacuees.
10. Episode 10
With victory nearing, the pressure is on to fuel the frontline in the mining community of the Coal House. Will the men in the mine and the women at the munitions factory hit their deadlines? The scholarship exam looms at school, and a testing day in the mud leads to promotion for one of the Home Guard.
11. Episode 11
It is time for the men to hang up their lamps, the women to take off their uniforms, and the evacuees to return to their parents in the city - but not before everyone gets in the swing at the community dance for a final send-off.
12. Episode 12
The children take the dreaded school exams as they spend their last week in the square. Who will receive the coveted trophy, and how will they feel about leaving their wartime lives behind?
