To Serve Them All My Days

A stunning full-cast dramatisation of R.F. Delderfield's classic novel of life between the wars

Listen now to this epic story of tragedy, love and betrayal set during the inter-war period as soldier Davy Powlett-Jones, invalided out of the trenches, must face a new start in life…

A coal miner's son, Davy has risen from the ranks of the South Wales Borderers and been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after serving three years in the front-line trenches in the First World War. The story begins in 1918, when injured and shell-shocked Davy leaves the war behind him to face new challenges and begin a new life teaching history at Bamfylde School in North Devon. Over the following decade Davy’s life reflects the turmoil, tragedy and hope of the men and women who fought in the Great War and how they come to terms with peaceful life in Britain which inexorably ruptures as the Second World War looms.

In this beautiful full-cast BBC Radio adaptation, the General Strike, socialism, the development of the Labour Party and the formation of the National Government all play out through the story of a humble teacher.

To Serve Them All My Days was first published in 1972 and swiftly became a modern classic. The book was adapted into a hugely popular TV show and continues to be loved by fans of J.L. Carr and L.P. Hartley. Listen now to this stunning adaptation that takes a microscope to the lives of ordinary people during extraordinary times and brings to life a bygone era of British existence facing the moral perplexities and harsh economic realities of emerging modern times.

Cast and credits

Written by R.F. Deldefield

Adapted by Shaun McKenna

Directed by Marc Beeby

Davy Powlett-Jones - Oliver Milburn

Algy Herries - John Wood

Howarth - John Rowe

Carter - Anthony Calf

Beth/Grace - Alison Pettit

The Guard/Stratton/Gage - Delroy Brown

"Nipper" Shawe/Skidmore/Featherstone - Josh Freeborn

"Chad" Boyer/Dobson/Stoker Monk - Steven Williams

Briarley/Lowther - Steven Roberts

Julia - Juliet Aubrey

Keith/Alderman Blunt/McNaughton - John Cummins

Spats/Hislop - Anthony Glennon

Brigadier Cooper/Barnaby/Rigby - Gerard McDermott

Bristow - Harry Francis

Alcock - Clive Merrison

Christine - Kate Buffery

Ewart - Nick Sayce

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23rd - 27th Jan 2006

©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd