With his disturbingly horse-like face and a pious distaste for strong drink and bad language, young Bartholomew Bandy doesnt seem cut out for life in the armed services, as we meet him at the start of the First World War.Yet he not only survives the dangers and squalor of the infantry trenches, he positively thrives in the Royal Flying Corps, revealing a surprising aptitude for splitarsing Sopwith Camels and shooting down the Hun. He even manages to get the girl. Through it all he never loses his greatest ability - to open his mouth and put his foot in it.