Summary: I. Troops retreating from Antwerp arrive in Ostend.
II. Canadian soldiers in England.
III. More refugees enter Ostend.
IV. Trafalgar day.
Description: I. 'GALLANT DEFENDERS: The arrival of allied troops at Ostend after evacuating Antwerp'. Shots of street by quayside in Ostend where a procession of pedestrians, carts and motor vehicles (including a British motor bus). Two columns of Belgian troops pass through. Tram passes in background.
II. 'SONS OF THE EMPIRE: Canadian troops arrive in England prepared to defend the Empire'. The troops are seen arriving on rail baggage wagons. Some wash themselves (outdoors), another is seen writing a letter. A group of the soldiers pose for the camera with a large Union Jack which has a border made up of miniatures of Allied flags.
III. 'OSTEND IN WAR-TIME: Refugees of all sorts and conditions pour into Ostend and crowd the steamers leaving for England'. Scenes of refugees passing through the streets of Ostend in carts and on foot. Shots of the quayside (presumably taken at the same time as those in item I) showing people assembling on the quay.
IV. 'ENGLAND EXPECTS: London pays a silent tribute to Nelson's memory in Trafalgar Square'. Large crowds gather around Nelson's Column on Trafalgar Day, many of them waving their hats for the camera. The base of the column is decked with banners inscribed with patriotic slogans: "NO PRICE CAN BE TOO HIGH WHEN HONOUR AND FREEDOM ARE AT STAKE - P.M. ASQUITH", "FIGHT FOR KING" (this between the paws of one of the lions) and "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY".
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Topical Film Company (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Belgian Army (regiment/service)
Canadian Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: operations, Belgian military - withdrawal (object name)
operations, Canadian military - movement: rail (object name)
recreation, Canadian military - casual (object name)
society, Canadian military - hygiene: ablutions (object name)
refugees, Belgian - flight (object name)
ceremonies, British - event-related: Trafalgar Day (object name)
Oostende, West Flanders, Belgium (geography)
GB, England & London, WC <Trafalgar Square> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 256 ft; Running time: 3 mins
