The Crimson Field

Joan is arrested and charged with aiding an enemy to escape. With news of the killing of British nurse Edith Cavell by Germans her accuser, Colonel Purbright, is keen to make an example of her and only the reappearance of Anton prevents her from being shot. Purbright believes Joan's actions reflect badly on Colonel Brett, himself distraught as he has learned of the death of his son in action, and Matron is perturbed when Margaret returns to give evidence on the colonel's running of the hospital. Although Soper wants Margaret to testify against the colonel as he wants her to be Matron she gives him a glowing reference, saving his reputation, at the same time reminding Matron Grace that she knows of something in Matron's past which gives her some power. Kitty, meanwhile, is still sought after by both the young officers, Flora discovers that orderly Peter is gay but keeps it to herself and Rosalie overcomes her aversion to male nudity to help another damaged patient.

The disruptive Major Ballard, head of a troop of Indian Sepoys, arrives at the hospital, desperate to return to the fighting. Establishing that, like himself, Matron has lived in India, he asks for her personal attention but she discovers that he is going blind. As a career soldier he is angry at the thought of being invalided back home and Matron has to stop him fighting a potentially suicidal duel. After he has gone she pulls out a photo of an Indian man. Jaco, who has been trying to locate Joan's lover Anton, is attacked and, when Kitty tends to his wounds, he mistakes her for Joan, inadvertently revealing her secret. Whilst the volunteers are staging a concert for the patients Joan slips out to meet Anton, who has escaped from a POW train but she is followed by Sergeant Soper, who confronts her.

The first wave of casualties are brought to the hospital, including down-to-earth Major Crecy, whose legs have been amputated, and Jackie Byeford, the young private who saved his life, making them the only two survivors from their unit. Crecy's imperious wife Adelinde arrives and is disruptive, demanding her husband be moved to another ward though he wants to stay with Jackie and Kitty breaks the rules by allowing Jackie to say goodbye to the major, who is despairing and suicidal . Joan impresses Rosalie with her feminist attitude though Margaret makes clear her lack of confidence in the volunteers whilst Matron works out that Kitty, anxious for a letter from her lover, has had his child. A further two hundred casualties come in and Joan puts Rosalie in charge of their care though it is Flora who takes over when Rosalie flees, shocked at the sight of a nude man. Kitty eventually gets her letter and it is one of rejection. However she encourages Adelinde Crecy to stand by her husband and not let him give in to despair.