As seen in Flashback (narrative) that occur throughout the film, Oliver Woodward is an Australian miner supplying copper for the World War I effort. He falls in love with Marjorie Waddell, a young woman ten years his junior. However, he is under constant white feather to enlist, especially from Waddell's father. He has the opportunity to do so when the British Army forms the Royal Australian Engineers to supplement the Royal Engineers; Woodward is commissioned officer to lead the unit.