Introduction

Privates is a 2013 BBC One drama television series set in 1960 which follows the stories of eight privates who are part of the last intake of National Service (aka conscription), and their relationships with their officers and non-commissioned officers, civilian staff and families.

Outline

Lance Corporal Jimmy Hobbs proposes to his girlfriend Norah, who works in the army canteen (NAAFI), and then goes AWOL (absent without leave) after being chased by Private Keenan. Sergeant Butcher sees a man by his motorbike on the pier, dressed in a homemade general’s uniform and speaking only in the dialogue of David Niven; he is Private Lomax. Corporal Barrowman, having taken a dislike to Private Wratten, initiates a search for a ‘stolen’ watch and pronounces Wratten the thief. After lights out, the men deal with dislocation in their own way: Keenan writes in his journal, Hoy cries and Lomax is nowhere to be seen.

Privates Series

You can find a full index and overview of Privates here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 07 January 2013.
• Running time: 45 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Clip(s)