Douglas Bennett

 is an English citizen and conscientious objector. His beliefs and experiences during the first world war make it hard for him to understand the decisions his children make for themselves in joining up to the war front. His experience of the second world war is made increasing more difficult by his PTSD condition that he developed after being mustard-gassed during the battle of the Somme.

Biography
Season 1 episode 1

In episode 1 we are introduced to Douglas and his two children Lois and Tom. Lois, a highly intelligent and confident women is arrested after protesting at a black shirts rally with her boyfriend Harry. Douglas goes to the police station where he meets Robina, Harry's outspoken and snobbish mother who looks down on Douglas and Lois for being working class. It is made clear that Lois is the main source of income for the family as she works in a factory and performs at a local club, this is because their mother died when Lois was 14 and Douglas struggles with his shell shock. Tom is later arrested by the police just as the news that Britain has declared war breaks which intensifies Douglas' shell shock.