From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 7:20 PM

In this extract a woman who served in the Women’s Voluntary Service describes some of the work she and her friends did in an aircraft factory. During the First World War Britain had learnt how valuable women could be to the war effort. As soon as war broke out women were conscripted int...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 7:20 PM

This short clip shows butter and cheese making in New Zealand. The clip opens with shots of various cheese products and then cuts to cattle grazing on the pasture followed by scenes in a factory showing workers involved in cheese production. The British empire was a vital source of food ...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 7:19 PM

This short clip shows a range of jobs carried out by women in the armed forces during the war. It includes scenes of women on parade, and also cooking, typing and marching while on camp. During the First World War Britain had learnt how valuable women could be to the war effort. As soon...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 7:15 PM

A Halas and Batchelor cartoon on the need for scrap. The animation shows a wide range of waste items being converted into useful items. Old hot water bottles are turned into tyres, old scraps of clothing are turned into uniforms and tin cans are melted down. At the time of this film Br...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 7:11 PM

In this sequence a young girl, Rita, is on her way to school. A very stern and posh lady describes how Rita’s clothes have all been made from other discarded clothes. During World War 2 clothing was rationed as well as food, fuel and other essential items. Saving and re-using clothing ...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 5:18 PM

Soldiering is described as being a bit boring! Henry explains how a lot of time is spent doing little or nothing. He tells us that the main action is at night including: raids, patrols, and movement of supplies, repairs. Henry tells us how soldiers can use their spare time. His advice is to get ...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 5:09 PM

This short clip consists of a romantic scene in which a noble woman runs a horse drawn plough across the field. It is taken from a recruiting film for more women to help in the war effort. When the Great War started most people thought it would be a short war. It was soon clear that this...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:39 PM

This clip explains the different types of gases used and their effects. He gives a harrowing description of one soldier who was badly burned by gas. This clip is one of fourteen clips in which actor John Gregor recreates a Great War soldier called Henry Fairhurst of the Barnsley Pals. I...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:38 PM

Henry explains that the kitchens are about a mile from the front line trenches. He describes how different types of food are carried up to the front. He explains that communication trenches used to carry the food were sometimes shelled and as a result the troops went hungry. This clip i...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:38 PM

Opening title says Tattenham Corner, followed by scenes of horses racing past. A new title then tells us ‘Suffragette killed in attempt to pull down the King’s horse’. We then see the famous scene where Davison is hit by the horse, followed by people rushing to the scene. The film then shows the...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:21 PM

The film goes straight in to show women using heavy engineering machinery such as belt driven lathes. We see women on the production line assembling shells, which is clearly a complex and quite skilled process. The worker takes great care with the detonator just before weighing the shell. &#...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:20 PM

In this short sequence we see Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig inspecting the wrecked remains of the Hindenburg Line, Germany’s strongest line of defences. With him is Colonel Robert S. Bacon, a US officer, and French and British officers as well. The Hindenburg Line defences had been pr...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:14 PM

Henry explains how the order comes and the whistle blows and he has to go over the top. He describes the fear and also the shell and bullet fire coming at the advancing soldiers. He explains how soldiers took their time, kept low, used all cover and tried to stay together. This clip is...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:13 PM

This sequence opens with a title commenting on the supply operation to make the attack on the Somme possible. We then see a panning shot of a vast supply dump. This is followed by another title introducing ‘plum pudding’ mortar bombs and then a sequence showing these weapons in action. After this...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:10 PM

This short extract sees Henry explaining that experienced soldiers were very wary of putting their heads, hands or anything else over the top of the trench. He concludes by explaining how frightening it was to go over the top in an attack. This clip is one of fourteen clips in which ac...

From: UK National Archives on Fri, Apr 04 2008 3:06 PM

Henry opens by explaining how the soldiers often worried about being killed or injured. Soldiers often gambled, partly because death could be sudden and instant. Before attacking, soldiers were told to keep their valuables somewhere safe so that family can pick up possessions. He describes the f...

From: UK National Archives on Wed, Apr 02 2008 11:07 PM

Mussolini strides on to the parade ground and an Italian commentary immediately starts up. We see Mussolini awarding campaign medals to soldiers and to the widows of men killed in battle. Most of the clip is accompanied by sombre music designed to create the right mood. Benito Mussolini...

From: UK National Archives on Wed, Apr 02 2008 11:04 PM

This clip gives us a detailed view of preparations for the attack at the Somme. We see vast ammunition dumps followed by busy scenes of trucks moving shells and other equipment and men busily loading and unloading vehicles. The final scene shows trench mortars (plum pudding bombs) being used. ...

From: UK National Archives on Wed, Apr 02 2008 11:04 PM

The clip opens with an interview with Colonel Paul Tebbits, the officer in charge of the bomb group that dropped the Hiroshima Bomb. The Colonel then describes his experiences in a very calm way. The next interviewee is Commander Frederick Ashworth, who was part of the crew that dropped the seco...

From: UK National Archives on Wed, Apr 02 2008 11:03 PM

In this clip we see people bathing in the sea with interesting details like the bathing booths. Later people are shown having portrait photos taken. We get a brief glimpse of women letting their hair down, just a little. We then get a lengthy shot of a roller coaster ride, much of it shot on the...