Episode list

Angry that Gillespie used her for sex and has no intention of taking her to Chicago, Diana tips Billy off that the American plans to snatch baby William and leave Bea behind. Billy races to the air-strip and is reunited with his wife and her baby. Lady Ellen also sees through Gillespie and reconciles with her sister. Joyce still blames Dennis Tucker for turning her husband in, but when he gets his foot caught in a snare and reflects on his torment at having killed Lord Hoxley, she frees him and they call a truce. Connie tries to impress the bishop when he comes to tea with Henry, but he is so patronizing towards her that Henry throws him out and proposes to her. She accepts. Martin's operation is a success, but Finch is shocked to learn that Esther funded it via an 'arrangement' with Vernon Storey. However Dennis Tucker gets revenge on their behalf. Everybody gathers for William's christening before Billy leaves for war knowing that Bea loves him and will wait for him.

Connie is determined to put things right when her past catches up with her. John's visit to an RAF base helps with his memory loss.

Billy marries Bea, having convinced himself that she is not using him and they love each other. John Fisher attends the wedding, as does Adam, with whom Annie is now in love and prepared to ask her husband Harry for a divorce. Bea is disapproving, given that her sister's marriage to Harry got them away from an abusive father. Lawrence tells his wife he is leaving her for Nancy. She tries to bribe Nancy with a hundred pounds and tells her Lawrence was not a war hero. However, when an increasingly deranged Tucker accuses Adam of sabotage after a faulty grenade explodes and points a gun at him, Lawrence intervenes and is killed. Nancy leaves the farm,having made it up with Joyce. Annie is shocked to find that Harry is disfigured and an invalid but nevertheless tells him that she wants to move on.

Lady Ellen turns Hoxley Manor into a military hospital and is confronted by a man from her past. Joyce awaits news of her missing husband; Connie is surprised by an old flame at her engagement party; and a new Land Girl, Iris, arrives.

At an inquiry into the death of the German pilot Joyce is declared a heroine, but with her husband missing she empathises with the widow. Connie intervenes on behalf of two evacuees who are being ill-treated by a pair of dotty, elderly sisters. She has them rehomed, with some help from Henry, whom she kisses. The normally sour-faced Mrs. Gulliver gives Fred Finch money for Martin's operation, but Esther has already been to see Vernon, whose generosity comes at a price. About to be called up and unsure if he will return, Billy advises Bea to take up Gillespie's offer and move to America with him and the baby.

Lady Ellen is frustrated when Tucker is released from the charge of murdering her husband and her flighty, selfish sister Diana comes to Hoxley Hall. Rather than help Ellen with the billeting of U.S. soldiers, the married Diana flirts with Jack Gillespie, an American arms manufacturer whose late son fathered Bea's son, whom he wants to see. Another new arrival is brash Cockney Land Girl Connie, whose free and easy manner annoys Esther. Connie makes a play for Billy, observed by Esther's son Martin, who bangs his head whilst trying to escape detection. He has detached retinas and will need an operation. He runs off into the woods and meets a fugitive in hiding, who claims to be a conscientious objector and for whom the boy steals food.

Dr Channing encourages John to recall his escape from France, but Joyce intervenes when the memories become too upsetting. Reverend Jameson finds out about Connie's past history with Danny Sparks.

Lady Ellen wonders if she can trust Dr Channing when he refuses to tell her where he's been. Danny Sparks threatens to harm Henry unless Connie helps him with a heist he's planning. John confesses a guilty secret to Joyce.

John returns to his base and is posted on active service. Nancy is going to drive Joyce to see him but cries off when Lawrence tells her that his wife will be away for the weekend and they can spend the time together. Joyce catches them kissing and tells Lady Ellen, who makes Lawrence take Joyce instead. 'Trekkers' - bombed out families - arrive at the farm, looking for work and Annie befriends Adam Blackfield and his sick, shell-shocked mother who get left behind when the other trekkers are forced to leave,following a burglary at Hoxley Hall. She fetches a doctor for the old lady but she dies. Billy proposes to Bea, just before she goes into labour and gives birth to a son. Annie is told that her husband has been found - alive,

Farmer Finch finds Tucker sleeping rough in the barn and assumes he is responsible for the missing food. To raise funds for Martin's operation Finch agrees to a prize fight between Billy and the son of another farmer, Vernon, who has designs on Esther. Tucker, a former boxing champion, coaches Billy in return for work and lodgings on the farm. However, Vernon enters a different son than the one who was expected to fight. He is bigger and heavier and easily beats Billy. The money is lost to Esther. However Bea is proud of her husband, and they unite against Gillespie, who wants to take his grand-son back to the States. Connie finds out that Henry is the local vicar and is cool towards him, feeling he tricked her. Joyce follows Martin, and both are captured by the German. However, on learning that he bombed Coventry, where her family were killed, Joyce gets his gun from him and shoots him.