Joanne Rowe is a newsreader with News Plus More. The channel's managing director tells her he wants her to take part in Seriously Yours Channel's series The Greatest Generation, a copycat version of Channel Four's My Grandparents' War, although it will actually feature Joanne's long-forgotten greatgrandfather, Major Paul Hurst, M.C. Joanne is reluctant at first, but soon becomes fascinated by her ancestor's world. She learns that Paul Hurst was seconded from his regiment to the Intelligence Corps as he was no longer fit for active service. A proficient linguist, he was given the task of gathering intelligence from German and Italian prisoners. She also hears about Verity Bower, a 'lumberjill' or member of the Women's Timber Corps, trained to drive tractors, lorries and draught horses. It is 1943 when Paul's path and hers coincide, and whilst it seems at first that all they have in common is their passion for heavy horses, they quickly become involved. Eighty years later, Joanne continues to discover much about their part in the war, and even learns a timeless and important lesson for herself.