As war clouds gather over South Africa, Melinda Bellingham, daughter of a Johannesburg mining magnate, learns the shocking news that her father's suicide has left her penniless. When a relative offers her a home, she says goodbye to Jack Cartwright, the Australian digger she loves, and sets off for Ladysmith, unaware that the small town will soon be under siege.

When the BOER WAR breaks out, Jack enlists in the Imperial Light Horse regiment. He survives the battle at Talana, only to be reported missing after the battle on Pepworth Hill.

During the siege of Ladysmith, Melinda experiences the horrors of war while working as a nurse in Intombi Camp. Faced with disease, hunger, suffering and death, she must summon all her courage to keep going and cling to hope that one day Jack will come back.