The series premiered in 1982. Stopped in 2005 (partly posthumously).

The young Irishman's real name is Lester Mahoney, but he is called Cockney because of his English father. After having accidentally killed a man he joins the British army and the hotheaded soldier is soon sent to some of the 19th century's hotspots such as Afghanistan and Punjab. There he encounters hostile tribes, and he is frequently sent on perilous undercover missions.