Podcasts by Love Letters from the Front
Drama series exploring World War I and the tragedies of war through the love letters of two young lovers
Further podcasts by BBC Radio Ulster
Podcast on the topic Drama
All episodes
Episode 137 from 2016-10-28T10:59
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. The final episode in the series.
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Episode 136 from 2016-10-27T10:59
Major WWI drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart. Eric relives the horror of seeing the face of a driver trapped under three horses.
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Episode 135 from 2016-10-26T10:59
A major WWI drama series. 'Heavens. When I think of the poor infantry who have to stay for long hours... in absolute freezing cold.'.
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Episode 134 from 2016-10-25T10:59
A major WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. The dugout collapses as water destroys the trench.
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Episode 133 from 2016-10-24T10:59
WWI drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart. 'I can feel the wonderful thrill of real love go through me as I kiss your lips'.
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Episode 132 from 2016-10-21T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. German troops advance on Eric and his men.
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Episode 131 from 2016-10-20T10:55
A major WWI drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart. Eric ponders over the casualties of war and the mounting number of new graves.
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Episode 130 from 2016-10-19T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. Eric seeks consolation in his distress - 'Oh, lady mine. Think. It's nearly 19 months since I came out here. When will the nightmare end?'.
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Episode 129 from 2016-10-18T10:55
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart. Eric stands glued to the spot as a plane comes crashing towards him.
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Episode 128 from 2016-10-17T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. Eric tries to reassure Phyllis - 'You seem so dreadfully frightened for some reason, but whatever it may be, I will come to you...'.
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Episode 127 from 2016-10-14T11:00
A major new WWI drama series. 'Was wakened at 3.45am by a torrent of water on my shoulders and feet. Oh! The devil, what a life this is'.
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Episode 126 from 2016-10-13T11:00
A major new World War One drama series. The conditions worsen as the wagons are stuck in the mud up to their axles.
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Episode 125 from 2016-10-12T11:00
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric is on the wagon trail as the terrible conditions continue.
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Episode 124 from 2016-10-11T11:00
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. 'My god! What a place'.
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Episode 123 from 2016-10-10T11:00
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. The soldiers capture a German prisoner.
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Episode 122 from 2016-10-07T10:56
A major new WWI drama series. The casualties mount up as Eric wonders when he will get home - as his heart, 'thumps for the only lady in the world.'.
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Episode 121 from 2016-10-06T10:56
A major new World War One drama series. Eric continues to be bombarded by shells and is nearly buried alive.
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Episode 120 from 2016-10-05T10:56
A major new WWI drama series. 'I am sending you a souvenir. It's the shoulder title of the greatcoat of a dead Boche. I cut it off myself the other day.'.
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Episode 119 from 2016-10-04T10:56
A major new WWI drama series. Decomposed bodies surround Eric as he struggles to continue.
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Episode 118 from 2016-10-03T10:56
A major new WWI drama series. 'Oh! Lady mine, it's just awful: the dead are lying all over the place; it's simply a ghastly sight.'.
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Episode 117 from 2016-09-30T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. Eric dreads the thought of going into action again, but it is not far off.
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Episode 116 from 2016-09-29T10:55
A major new World War One drama series. Eric feels like a 'selfish brute' after writing a harsh letter, but still wants to 'drive the nasty little devil in you away'.
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Episode 115 from 2016-09-28T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. 'This ghastly din goes on, day in day out, and to top it all I haven't had a letter for eleven whole days.'.
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Episode 114 from 2016-09-27T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. It has been three months since Eric was last with Phyllis. A photograph is his only company.
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Episode 113 from 2016-09-26T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. 'I don't quite know what I feel like today. We have just buried dear old Burrows. He died last night about 5.50.'.
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Episode 112 from 2016-09-23T10:55
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Eric is caught in a bitter battle at the front.
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Episode 111 from 2016-09-22T10:59
A major new World War One drama series. Eric casts his mind back: 'There was a lovely drawing room with a piano in it. We made an awful row and had a dance'.
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Episode 110 from 2016-09-21T10:57
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of an English soldier and his Irish sweetheart. Eric reports that censorship might restrict his letters to Phyllis.
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Episode 109 from 2016-09-20T10:55
A major new WWI drama series. Eric tells Phyllis: 'I seem to be much, much further away from my lady now, and the letters are few and far between'.
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Episode 108 from 2016-09-19T10:55
Major new WWI drama series. Eric suffers from the non-stop flies - 'The flies here are awful; there are millions and millions of them. They persist in crawling over my head'.
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Episode 107 from 2016-09-16T10:55
Major new WWI drama series. Eric speaks of the pain of losing a close friend - 'There are thousands, thousands more that will have to go before it's all over'.
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Episode 106 from 2016-09-15T10:55
A major new World War One drama series. Eric tells Phyllis - 'What a funny thing it was that that you opened the book of the army list...'.
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Episode 105 from 2016-09-14T10:55
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Eric is haunted by the wailings of a shell-shocked soldier.
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Episode 104 from 2016-09-13T10:55
A major new WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Eric is nearly blind and struggles to write.
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Episode 103 from 2016-09-12T10:55
Major new World War One drama series. Eric is despondent - 'I shall not be allowed to read or write. I really don't know how long I could go on like that'.
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Episode 102 from 2016-09-09T10:56
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. As war rages, Eric struggles to find time to write.
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Episode 101 from 2016-09-08T10:55
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Phyllis learns that Eric is practically penniless.
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Episode 100 from 2016-09-07T10:55
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Eric's mind wanders to thought of being reunited with Phyllis.
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Episode 99 from 2016-09-06T10:55
WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. Eric recounts a moving moment - 'I took his hand...'.
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Episode 98 from 2016-09-05T10:55
A major WWI drama series telling the true love story of English soldier Eric Appleby and his Irish sweetheart Phyllis Kelly. A death in the family brings heartache for Phyllis.
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Episode 97 from 2016-09-02T10:55
'I had to fire about 15 times at machine guns which were causing trouble all night. Then at about 12:30 a terrific bombardment started on our right'.
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Episode 96 from 2016-09-01T10:55
Eric is left in darkness, with another move forward planned.
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Episode 95 from 2016-08-31T10:55
'How much happiness seems to rest on that little word, "Yes" and how much misery I would have gone through had it been, "No"', Eric tells Phyllis.
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Episode 94 from 2016-08-30T10:55
Even though he feels wretched and is sleeping rough, Eric is delighted to be engaged to Phyllis.
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Episode 93 from 2016-08-29T10:55
Eric wonders how Phyllis will tell the world about their engagement - 'Why couldn't I have been with you when you have to tell the world that you're engaged?'.
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Episode 91 from 2016-08-25T10:55
Phyllis hears that Eric has had his fill of war - 'I've had my fill of this war, but at the same time, the beastly Hun has to be thoroughly licked'.
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Episode 90 from 2016-08-24T10:55
Eric frets about the possibility of never seeing Phyllis again.
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Episode 89 from 2016-08-23T10:55
Eric confides to Phyllis - 'It almost makes me want to get wounded so that I could be with you for more than a few days'.
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Episode 88 from 2016-08-22T10:55
The chaos caused by the Easter Rising leaves Eric fearing for Phyllis.
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Episode 77 from 2016-08-21T06:44
Eric tells Phyllis of his despair as his men plunder and steal from local towns - including a precious crucifix.
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Episode 76 from 2016-08-21T06:39
With a move towards the Dardanelles, Eric hears of the danger ahead.
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Episode 75 from 2016-08-21T06:34
Eric expresses his fears to Phyllis that he might not survive - 'At times I get the most horrible doubts and fears that something might happen to stop me'.
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Episode 74 from 2016-08-21T06:25
Eric loses his gun behind German lines after it's used to kill German soldier.
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Episode 87 from 2016-08-19T10:55
Eric enters hospital telling Phyllis: 'I am the most unlucky devil that ever walked this earth in many ways...'.
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Episode 86 from 2016-08-18T10:55
Eric is outraged by a letter he receives from Phyllis - 'How dare you say there is not much use in writing letters...'.
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Episode 85 from 2016-08-17T10:55
Eric realises that Phyllis has been cut off during the Easter Rising.
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Episode 84 from 2016-08-16T10:55
Eric tells Phyllis: 'Phyl, I am most terribly afraid something awful may have happened to you. Heaven knows what those brutes may be doing to you'.
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Episode 83 from 2016-08-16T10:55
The Easter Rising in Dublin causes Eric to wonder about Phyllis's safety at home.
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Episode 82 from 2016-08-12T10:56
Eric asks Phyllis - 'Do you want your Englishman as he is you? It's just the awful "want, want" feeling which will never leave me.'.
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Episode 81 from 2016-08-11T10:56
Weather conditions start to take their toll as Eric reveals to Phyllis that he has to walk through 12 miles of mud each day.
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Episode 80 from 2016-08-10T10:56
Phyllis hears how Eric's days drag on - 'The days seem to drag and drag and there seems to be no ending to this weary road. No house in sight where one could rest'.
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Episode 79 from 2016-08-09T10:56
Eric is left heartbroken after leave to see Phyllis is cancelled and he faces more wearying warfare.
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Episode 78 from 2016-08-08T10:56
'I am going to write just a little to let you know I am still alive. Why am I such an unlucky bloke?' - Eric sends a heartfelt message to Phyllis.
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Episode 73 from 2016-08-01T10:57
'I remember you saying in a very low, quiet voice, "Eric you mustn't". 'It was the first time you had ever called me by my name'.
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Episode 72 from 2016-07-29T10:55
Eric seeks reassurance from Phyllis as he asks: 'Will you be watching for me as the train comes past at the end of the garden?'.
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Episode 71 from 2016-07-28T10:55
As shells burst all around, Eric explains what it's like to be in full view of the German lines.
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Episode 70 from 2016-07-27T10:57
Eric is candid about Phyllis's love for singing - 'Phyl, I have told you before. I hate your singing, or rather your love for it, because it seems to be my rival.'.
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Episode 69 from 2016-07-26T10:52
As the pelting rain makes life wretched, Eric and Phyllis realise they can't escape the grim reality of war.
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Episode 68 from 2016-07-25T10:55
Eric is in sombre mood - 'Phyl, when will this cursed war ever end? Everything seems to be going wrong all at once'.
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Episode 67 from 2016-07-22T11:00
Eric ventures through the ruins of a town as machine guns fire around him.
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Episode 66 from 2016-07-21T11:00
Eric shares his regret about war and what it's meant for their love - 'I used to think I was your knight and I was going to fight for you...'.
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Episode 65 from 2016-07-20T11:00
Eric describes what it's like at the front, with the trenches set alight with shell bursts and rockets.
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Episode 64 from 2016-07-19T11:00
Eric recounts the latest action at the front - 'This place is never quiet now; even at nights there is someone firing'.
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Episode 63 from 2016-07-18T11:00
Eric's hope of leave to see Phyllis is dashed. 'A message came in and what do you think it said? All leave is stopped.'.
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Episode 62 from 2016-07-15T10:55
As another period of leave seems certain, Eric dreams of meeting Phyllis again in her home town of Athlone.
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Episode 61 from 2016-07-14T10:55
Cold and harsh conditions on the front line begin to take their toll on Eric.
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Episode 60 from 2016-07-13T10:55
'I have just been looking at the army list and I find that I am 122nd on it; that isn't much when there are about 2,000 second lieutenants'.
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Episode 59 from 2016-07-12T10:55
Eric leaves the trenches and ventures into a nearby village, where he is appalled by the devastation wreaked by war.
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Episode 58 from 2016-07-11T10:53
Amid unrelenting anti-aircraft fire, Eric reflects on the meaning of a piece of paper which Phyllis has kissed.
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Episode 57 from 2016-07-08T10:55
Eric and Phyllis reflect on an uncertain future - 'Do you know that, low down in me, I have a horrible idea that it will go on for years and years?'.
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Episode 56 from 2016-07-07T12:31
Eric is assigned to horse duties and takes the men on gun drill, shouting himself almost speechless in the process.
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Episode 55 from 2016-07-06T10:55
Phyllis unsettles Eric by saying he 'isn't at all a charming person'.
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Episode 54 from 2016-07-05T10:55
As the absence from Phyllis lengthens and the battle grinds on, Eric begins to lose hope.
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Episode 53 from 2016-07-04T10:55
Eric gives Phyllis an account of a bloody attack by German troops - 'We waited a while, then saw one figure, then two, three and four. They were the remainder of the patrol'.
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Episode 52 from 2016-07-01T10:55
Eric and Phyllis are left reeling after a German patrol attacks and inflicts large casualties.
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Episode 51 from 2016-06-30T10:55
Eric discloses to Phyllis that he has been ordered to head into no man's land.
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Episode 49 from 2016-06-28T10:55
Eric wishes for an end to the war that is preventing him and Phyllis being together.
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Episode 47 from 2016-06-24T11:00
To escape the horrors of war, Eric dreams of spending a night at the opera with Phyllis.
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Episode 46 from 2016-06-23T11:00
Back in the trenches, the reality of the conditions of war resumes - 'At present my hands are so cold that they hardly form the letters properly'.
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Episode 45 from 2016-06-22T11:00
Eric asks Phyllis for her forgiveness after kissing her in public and is stung by her harsh words expressing 'disgust'.
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Episode 44 from 2016-06-21T11:00
Eric remembers the precious time spent with Phyllis - his 'treasure' - away from the trenches.
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Episode 43 from 2016-06-20T11:00
Eric and Phyllis relive the tender moments of their brief encounter - "Do you remember saying, as I drew you close to me to kiss you a second time, 'Eric, don't'?".
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Episode 42 from 2016-06-17T10:56
Eric and Phyllis meet - 'What a dear, dear day that was. But it went so horribly quickly. I was worried that I didn't give you a last kiss...'.
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Episode 40 from 2016-06-15T10:55
Eric and Phyllis share thoughts of a tender moment - 'I knew you did care a bit, so I came to you..'.
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Episode 39 from 2016-06-14T10:55
As the chance of leave gets tantalisingly close, Eric longs to see Phyllis again.
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Episode 38 from 2016-06-13T10:55
Eric and Phyllis discuss their feelings for each other - 'Turn back will I never do. It would break my heart if I lost your love now'.
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Episode 37 from 2016-06-10T10:55
The bullets rain down as Eric and Phyllis consider their future.
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Episode 36 from 2016-06-09T10:55
The thought of three and a half 'love days' together give Eric and Phyllis the will to continue.
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Episode 35 from 2016-06-08T11:00
With the chance of being home and closer to Phyllis in sight, Eric dreams of leaving war behind.
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Episode 34 from 2016-06-07T10:55
In this episode, Eric confides to Phyllis that the harsh conditions at the front are making him miserable and affecting his health.
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Episode 33 from 2016-06-06T10:55
In this episode, German heavy shelling inflicts casualties on Eric's battalion.
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Episode 32 from 2016-06-03T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis try to keep up their spirits - 'Tha...
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Episode 31 from 2016-06-02T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Trapped in the trenches with no hope of seeing Phyll...
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Episode 30 from 2016-06-01T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric feels devastated when all leave is suspended an...
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Episode 29 from 2016-05-31T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. The joy of a possible visit home to Liverpool and At...
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Episode 28 from 2016-05-30T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric tells Phyllis of the unrelenting German bombing...
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Episode 27 from 2016-05-27T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis speak of the power of their feeling...
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Episode 26 from 2016-05-26T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric tells Phyllis of his narrow escape after a bomb...
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Episode 25 from 2016-05-25T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis share their deepest thoughts - 'Wan...
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Episode 24 from 2016-05-24T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis contemplate the uncertain future - ...
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Episode 23 from 2016-05-23T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric is disappointed as he waits to receive a letter...
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Episode 22 from 2016-05-20T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric visits the graves of the fallen and wonders wil...
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Episode 21 from 2016-05-19T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Surrounded by the grim reality of war, Eric daydream...
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Episode 20 from 2016-05-18T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric relives the drama of a suspected German gas att...
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Episode 19 from 2016-05-17T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric yearns for Phyllis as feelings of love return t...
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Episode 18 from 2016-05-16T10:57
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Cruel words from Phyllis cause an outburst from Eric...
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Episode 17 from 2016-05-13T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis feel the stress of being apart - 'I...
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Episode 16 from 2016-05-12T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. As the casualties mount around him, Eric confides to...
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Episode 15 from 2016-05-11T10:56
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. On the centenary of the Battle of Waterloo, Eric los...
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Episode 14 from 2016-05-10T11:00
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric and Phyllis exchange views by letter on what th...
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Episode 13 from 2016-05-07T11:00
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric endures another near miss which makes him reali...
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Episode 12 from 2016-05-06T11:00
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. On his birthday and in spite of his love for Phyllis...
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Episode 11 from 2016-05-05T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric is plagued by doubts about whether, and why, Ph...
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Episode 10 from 2016-05-04T10:55
A major new World War One drama series telling the true love story of English soldier, Eric Appleby, and his Irish sweetheart, Phyllis Kelly. Eric's love for Phyllis is the only thing that allow...
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