Blind Faith

SYNOPSISThey were mates long before the war began. Three brothers and their cousins are separated by their circumstances when confronted by the propaganda and rules of engagement of a world war.The request by the British government to both nations, Australia and New Zealand, was for an army of fit and healthy young men with only the skills of accurate shooting and horsemanship.With commonalities of heritage and national pride, Australia and New Zealand join forces for the first time, proceeding as a united front.The boys knew how to survive in the harsh and barren environment of the Australian vastness, believing with blind faith alone that their honed survival instincts would overcome the conflicts in another land.However, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp's resourcefulness and independence of action were not prerequisites, or, indeed, skills appreciated by the British command. The nations' differences are soon highlighted through a clash of national ideologies when war games begin.In a farming community on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Fred and adopted aboriginal, Jimmy, sworn to protect each other's back, enlist in the Australian army. Driven by his mateship promises to Fred and Jimmy, Cousin Dave follows soon after, although in different circumstances. Army rules hold firm as brothers Jimmy and Fred are not permitted to serve in the same regiment, although it is obvious that they do not have the same parents.Two of their three Uncles, Jack and Pat, though born in Australia, enlist in New Zealand's infantry. Older brother, Henry, meanders in and out of his nephews' and brothers' childhoods, unwittingly setting an easy vision of war and army life among the boys.Far from the truth of a comfortable army life, nonconformist and larrikin, Henry, gives all authority a hard time at every turn.