Projects > Princess of No Man's Land> Synopsis

At the age of ninety-six, William Clay made a confession to his daughter moments before he passed away and ensured a secret he had kept for over seventy years was not taken to his grave.

With tears in his eyes the old soldier admitted that she was not his child but one he had found, while serving in the Royal Engineers, at the beginning of the First World War...

On August 4th, 1914, the German army invaded Belgium. The plan was to smash through the neutral country and attack the French at their weakest point. The allies put up a valiant defence but outnumbered by ten to one and outgunned by heavy German artillery, they were forced to make a full-scale retreat.

When the British Officer leading their platoon was killed, Sergeant Clay took command of a small band of British, Belgian and French stragglers that formed part of the rear guard.

Blowing up railway tracks, bridges and dams in Belgium, Clay and his men slowed down the German advance and bought their countrymen some valuable time.

In the confusion of the crossfire, they were forced to take shelter in the burning ruins of a Chateau at Mons. While searching for a way out, Clay discovered a beautiful baby girl in the arms of a dead woman, buried in the rubble.

Torn between his responsibility for his men and strict orders, he considered ending her life quickly, rather than leaving her for the scavenging dogs.

With shells exploding all around, he carried her to his astonished comrades. There was no time for answers, as they narrowly made their escape.

Although Clay had always wanted children, he found the baby a real burden. While struggling to change her dirty nappy, he noticed that the silk nightgown was embroidered with a crest and guessed she was of noble birth. He named her Betty, although she became known by the adoring allied troops as “The Princess of No Man’s Land”.

Against all odds, Clay and his men fought against a ruthless enemy, hunger and exhaustion. Betty gave them a reason to keep going and before long, the battle hardened Sergeant became so attached to her they were inseparable.

This true story of courage, love and bravery will touch the hearts of millions.