Title:CHRISTMAS AT CAMP BASTION, AFGHANISTAN, 2007 (TAPE 1) [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFV 1337
Other titles:COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE (DMOC) VIDEOS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Celebrations at Bastion 2 on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Description: Interview with Father David Smith, Chaplin 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and to the Artillery Group. (He is standing before Woolwich Lines, the Artillery Group's accommodation) discussing a carol service to be held later that day (Christmas Eve).
Scenes from the open air, daylight carol service; carols include "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and others, plus readings and prayers (sound levels are variable and there are various jump cuts).
Christmas party in the NAAFI canteen. Soldiers relax and play a game of pass-the-parcel, others play cards. Most of them are wearing party hats and one is dressed as Santa, handing round small gifts. Game of musical chairs. Carol singing and readings by choir led by Padre Connolly.
Brief shot of further impromptu carol singing, this time by a group of high-spirited soldiers, some wearing very little clothing.
Christmas meal is served in the canteen: most people are wearing elves' hats or party hats. Close-up of Christmas tree; smiling cameraman Corporal Scott and his camera are reflected in one of the baubles. First course of soup is eaten as crackers are snapped all around; tradotional turkey main course is then served.
Interview with Warrant Officer 2 Alan Watkins, who has been organising the Christmas meal for 600 soldiers: he talks about the logistics of the meal (75 turkeys, 40 gammons, 40 sides of beef, 400 kilos potatoes, 150 kilos of carrots and 150 Christmas cakes). Eighteen chefs are on duty.
Alternative Title:COLLECTION OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS CENTRE (DMOC) VIDEOS [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:No
Object_Number:BFV 1337
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:2001-2025
Production Date:2007-12-24 2007-12-25
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Defence Media Operations Centre (Production company)
Scott, Alex (Corporal, RAF) (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Smith, David (Padre) (person)
Connolly (Padre) (person)
Watkins, Alan (person)
British Army (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Artillery, 4th Field Regiment (regiment/service)
Keywords: Camp Bastion, Helmand, Afghanistan (geography)
British Operations in Afghanistan from 2002 (event)
British Army post-2000 (theme)
Afghanistan post-2001 (theme)
