The Winslow Boy

As a storm brews over the Royal Naval College, Ronnie Winslow (14), a cadet with an unblemished record, finds himself at the center of a maelstrom. Accused of pilfering a five-shilling postal order, he is subjected to a hasty internal inquiry, devoid of family notification or legal representation. The verdict: guilty as charged. Ronnie's father, Arthur Winslow, refuses to accept this verdict and launches a crusade to exonerate his son with the help of his suffragette daughter Catherine and family solicitor Desmond Curry.

Their determination is fueled by Ronnie's adamant declarations of innocence and their own conviction that justice has been perverted. The stakes are high, as Admiralty decisions carry the weight of official government action, rendering them virtually unassailable without a formal petition for redress. It is here that the Winslows turn to Sir Robert Morton (barrister and opposition Member of Parliament), a shrewd and formidable advocate with a reputation for tenacity.

Catherine had expected Sir Robert to decline the case or treat it as a pawn in their political game, but instead, he is unwaveringly resolute in his conviction that Ronnie is innocent. His responses to questioning during initial discussions leave Catherine uncertain about his motivations, her skepticism fueled by his lack of emotional investment amidst the Winslows' financial struggles.

As the government staunchly resists allowing the case to proceed, citing pressing Admiralty matters as a distraction, Sir Robert musters his political forces in the House of Commons on behalf of the Winslows. The tide begins to shift in their favor as public sympathy swells and Sir Robert delivers an impassioned plea, nearly achieving victory.

Ultimately, the government yields, and the case proceeds to trial. In tandem with Desmond Curry and his firm, Sir Robert masterfully discredits the alleged evidence, rendering the prosecution's claims tenuous at best. Embarrassed and no longer confident in Ronnie's guilt, the Admiralty abruptly withdraws all charges against him, proclaiming his innocence outright.

As the judicial verdict has finally exonerated Ronnie, the Winslow family's jubilation is tempered by the devastating aftermath. The prolonged ordeal has taken a crippling toll on Sir Robert's physical health, while the very fabric of their home life has frayed under the strain. The costly legal battle and publicity campaign have ravaged the financial prospects of Dickie (now denied a career in civil service) and Catherine, who must reevaluate her marriage settlement. Her betrothal to John Watherstone (an Army Colonel's son) is promptly terminated, forcing Catherine to consider Desmond Curry's sincere yet unrequited proposal. Meanwhile, Sir Robert has sacrificed his chance at becoming Lord Chief Justice rather than abandon the case, while his wife's happiness hangs precariously in the balance.

As the curtain closes, there are whispers of a new romance brewing between Sir Robert and Catherine, who has come to realize her initial misjudgment of him. The play's closing exchange ("How little you know women, Sir Robert" and "How little you know men, Miss Winslow") hints at this possibility.

In crafting his narrative, Rattigan drew inspiration from real-life parliamentary debates and court transcripts, making significant alterations to the characters and timeline. In the original case, it was actually Martin Archer-Shee's father who initially believed in his son's innocence, prompting him to use his influence as an MP to enlist the services of Carson. This pivotal character, Martin Archer-Shee junior, bore little resemblance to Dickie Winslow, a failed university student.

In contrast to the factual account, Rattigan portrayed Catherine Winslow as a suffragette and budding politician, whereas her sister in reality shared few characteristics with this fictional counterpart. Additionally, John Watherstone and Desmond Curry appear to be figments of Rattigan's imagination.

While the play merely alludes to the court case and parliamentary debates, the 1948 film adaptation explicitly incorporates these scenes, not present in the original play.

As Rattigan's revisions took shape, the narrative shifted towards the cusp of World War I, though the conflict itself remained a distant hum in the background. Against this backdrop, the lives of George and Martin Archer-Shee unfolded with increasing urgency. Martin, it turns out, would go on to command an infantry battalion, his leadership tested by the brutal realities of war. Meanwhile, George's life was tragically cut short at the tender age of 19 during the First Battle of Ypres - a poignant reminder that even in the midst of global conflict, individual lives can be forever altered.

As the years went by, George's legacy would be honored in various ways. His name would be inscribed on the war memorial in Woodchester, Gloucestershire, a testament to his connection to the community where his parents resided. Additionally, his memory would be preserved on a plaque outside Bristol's Catholic St Mary on the Quay church, a nod to his time as an altar boy at this revered institution. Furthermore, George's half-sister Winefrede Archer Shee's affiliation with the Society of the Sacred Heart would lead to his name being commemorated on the war memorial at Roehampton University - a poignant reminder of her devotion and his own connection to the organization. And finally, his sacrifice would be remembered on Tablet 35 of the Menin Gate in Ypres, a solemn tribute to those whose final resting place remains unknown.