Major Charles 'Copper' Carrington
VC is arrested for
embezzling £125 from his unit's safe. Other charges include going absent without leave from the base, and entertaining a woman officer in his room. Defending himself at his
court-martial, Carrington's case is that he had told his superior, Colonel Henniker, that he would take the money to advertise his complaint that he was owed a greater amount for expenses. He transferred £100 of it to his wife, Valerie, who was suicidal from financial worries, and left the base to ride in a horse race in which he bet the rest of the money on himself, hoping to pay back the cash. After he fell from his horse, his friend Captain Alison Graham tried to replace the money, but was denied access to the safe. While bed-ridden from the fall, Carrington was visited by Graham to discuss the embezzlement. She was sitting in a chair fully dressed when Colonel Henniker stormed in, saying it was against regulations for males and females to be together in private quarters. He admits to having waited for some time after seeing Graham go to Carrington's room before following. Henniker resents Carrington, who would be cleared if it is proved that he had forewarned Henniker of his intention. Henniker
perjures himself by denying it. Due to her ill-health, Carrington had not intended to call Valerie as a witness, but does so after Henniker's testimony. Before Valerie's appearance, Graham admits to her that she had a
one-night stand with Carrington, but that Carrington then insisted that a full affair would not be fair to anyone. Valerie seeks revenge by denying Carrington had mentioned telling Colonel Henniker he planned to take the money. Carrington is about to read extracts from a letter she wrote to him in which she refers to his informing Henniker, when the judge insists the entire letter be examined to be accepted into evidence. As the letter also contains personal matters about Valerie's health, Carrington tears it up. He is found guilty on all counts, and dismissed from the service, subject to the verdict's confirmation. Carrington decides not to appeal the verdict, and his marriage is also over. He admits to Graham that they could have a future together. Gossiping, a telephonist reveals that she eavesdropped as Carrington told his wife what he had told Henniker. Her sergeant insists she give evidence. Not knowing this, Carrington agrees to appeal. ==Cast==