
When the Boat Comes In
A former Army sergeant returns home to an economically depressed Gallowshields in Tyneside at the end of World War One. But this sergeant always lands on his feet...
- Created By
- First Aired on
Jan 08, 1976
- Popularity: 5.5397
- 2 votes
- Networks
- (GB)
- Status: Ended
Show Ended
4 seaons till Apr 21, 1981
Last episode: Roll Of Honour
Seasons & episodes
Total 4 seasons, 51 episodes

Season 1
Aired
Episode 1A Land Fit for Heroes and Idiots min
1919: Jack Ford returns from the Great War to the mining town of Gallowshields, on "leave pending discharge". He has no prospects, but a gift for making himself likable to all levels the highly stratified British classes and an eye for every opportunity--for Jack.
Episode 2Say Hello.. Say Tirra min
jack continues to work his way into the Seaton family - hard working Bill and his wife Bella, and their adult children Tom, Jessie and Billy. Bill is a miner but wants better for his family. Thanks to his hard work there is money for his daughter to train as a school teacher and son Billy to attend University and become a Doctor. Tom is not academic and so he works in the mines with his father, but he would prefer to work outdoors.
Episode 3Fish in Woolly Jumpers min
The miners have been on strike for a month, over a pay claim. Tom, now supporting a wife and son, borrows some money from Jack, who, despite being out of work for two months, doesn't seem to be short of a few bob. Jessie and Jack discuss having a baby, but Jessie says that her entire family is relying on her income. Jack claims that he's got money put by, and is supplementing this with "odd jobs".
Episode 4Swords and Pick Handles min
With his wife Mary dying of TB, Tom Seaton starts a job as a strikebreaker in the local mine. Jack Ford continues his affair with Dolly Headley whom he visits while she is at work for Sir Horatio Manners, his army captain's father. Discovering that Manners likes swords, Jack goes off and buys a cheap one in order to present it to Manners by way of introduction. Manners sizes him up and offers him a job.
Episode 5Coal Comfort min
With the strike continuing people are forced to steal coal. When Jack Ford brings some coal round for the Seatons which he has bought off someone, Bill Seaton tells him to take it away as it is the same as paying the mine owners and is helping them instead of the strikers.
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