James Williamson's own description/synopsis of the film (from his 1902 catalogue) is as follows:

The Reservist is first shown in his comfortable home with his wife and children. Postman's knock, summons to hold himself ready for service: grief of wife. Preparations for departure; affective leave taking. After the War: Same room, now empty of furniture, save one chair upon which the now haggard-looking wife sits nursing a child who is ill. Reservist enters, after a fruitless search for work. In desperation goes out again and takes a load of bread from baker's barrow, runs home with it to his starving wife and children. He is chased by the baker and a policeman. The latter enters room and takes the reservict: pleading with the policeman; no avail, he has his duty to perform: little boy comes forward and hands breaf to policeman, "Take back the bread, but don't take away my dada." This melts the policeman, who takes the little boy on his knee, hands some money to the reservist to go and buy some food.