Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path

It is September 1913 on Moor Burn Farm, which Edward MacFell rules with an iron fist. After a foolish misunderstanding, young farmhand Arthur Benton kills the older MacFell. Edward's son, Charlie McFell, helps to cover up the killing, but Ginger Slater witnesses the whole scene.

Charlie and Victoria are married, but not happily. When conscription comes in, Charlie is drafted into the army as a private. His sergeant turns out to be Ginger Slater, and the tables are turned.

Amid the mud and chaos of the Western front, Charlie really earns his spurs. He is a good leader and popular with the men. But a confrontation with a shell-shocked Ginger Slater leaves Slater lying dead.