THREE GORDON HIGHLANDERS OFF DUTY IN EAST ANGLIA [Allocated Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.

  • Title: THREE GORDON HIGHLANDERS OFF DUTY IN EAST ANGLIA [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: A70 14-3
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Three soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders (51st Highland Division) off duty in East Anglia; they visit a small village, enjoy a pint of beer and chat with some local girls.
  • Description: A milk lorry drives across shot, which pans to follow three soldiers of the Gordon Highlanders (either 1st or 5/7th Battalion) as they walk along a road in a small village. They sit on the parapet of a small bridge and watch as three young women cycle past. Close-up of the men’s feet as they get down off the wall and walk away (the men wear shoes rather than boots). Establishing wide shot of the Crown Inn (a Greene King pub); the soldiers walk into shot foreground frame left and a gaggle of geese wander across the pub’s forecourt. Medium rear-quarter close-up of an older man, having a pint of beer with the soldiers. Looking down at three buckets by a village pump, one being filled with water; camera tilts up as the three soldiers gallantly assist an old lady by pumping the water for her. Alternative angle; one chats with the woman as the other two pump. The three soldiers lying on the village green; they have a small dog with them and three young women walk past followed by a girl walking a dog. [racking changes slightly here]. Panning close-up shows the soldiers (all of whom have a single medal ribbon) chatting to the three young ladies. Wider shot of the soldiers and women chatting; a tractor towing farm equipment slowly passes in the background. Close-up soldier, who is leaning against one of the women. A shot, starting from black (a close-up of one woman’s coat) as the women walk away; the three soldiers walk in a different direction before turning to wave. The three soldiers at the bridge. A flint-built church with a large window and a low, square tower; the soldiers walk past. The soldiers sit down outside the Crown Inn and one shares his cigarettes with another soldier and the older man. Lance Corporal Thompson pushes his companion’s bonnet over his eyes as the landlord follows with three pints (the licensee’s name ‘Samuel Elliott’ can be seen above the door). Looking down at the ground as all four men put down their empty glass tankards. The soldiers shake hands with the landlord before walking away. The troops lying on the village green with a small dog; a shop in the background is marked ‘E Savage'. Different angle; the three women walk into shot foreground and walk away from camera towards the soldiers. Alternative angle shows the girl left holding the dog and panning as the three women sit down on the green.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: A70 14-3
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1944-04-29
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Army Film Unit (Production company) Connolly, J R (Production individual) Connolly, J R (Production individual) McArdle, T P (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, 51st (Highland) Infantry Division ('Highway Decorators') (regiment/service) British Army, Gordon Highlanders (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: Suffolk, England, UK (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 485 ft.; Running time: 6 mins.
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    A70 14-3

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register