(I) MEN PRACTICE EXTENDED ORDER DRILL; (II) BREN CARRIERS; (III) SCENES IN BATTALION COOKHOUSE; (IV) REGIMENTAL BARBER; (V) FOOT INSPECTION (VI) MEN BATHING IN SMALL TUBS; (VII) R.A.F. GUARD OF HONOUR [Allocated Title]
Title:(I) MEN PRACTICE EXTENDED ORDER DRILL; (II) BREN CARRIERS; (III) SCENES IN BATTALION COOKHOUSE; (IV) REGIMENTAL BARBER; (V) FOOT INSPECTION (VI) MEN BATHING IN SMALL TUBS; (VII) R.A.F. GUARD OF HONOUR [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BBY 2
Other titles:
Summary: Unedited and uncensored newsreel rushes showing two infantry battalions, the 1st Border Regiment and the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, forming part of the British Expeditionary Force's deployment near the Franco-Belgian frontier, October 1939.
Description: I. Infantrymen serving with the 1st Battalion The Border Regiment lie prone in the grass, fix bayonets and advance across a field near Orchies near the Franco-Belgian frontier in open order with their SMLE Mk III rifles extended. Scout carriers belonging to the 1st Border Regiment's support company deploy in the open, circa 13 October 1939.
II. Men serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles prepare vegetables (carrots or potatoes) and cook a hot meal in a farmyard in Gavrelle, circa 17 October 1939.
III. A platoon of riflemen belonging to the 1st Border Regiment advance in extended order and drop to the ground to take up prone firing positions. The scout carrier platoon advances across a field. A two-man Bren gun detachment jumps off one carrier and sets up a fire base in a hollow, circa 13 October 1939.
IV. Men serving with the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers pose in a group for the camera in a farmyard at Gavrelle watching two of their comrades having their hair cut. Men wearing the new British Army battledress parade barefoot in a row in front of their billets in Gavrelle and have their feet inspected for signs of trench foot by the battalion Medical Officer and two non-commissioned officers. In the back of their billet in Gavrelle, Irish Fusiliers pour hot water into three wooden tubs. A small crowd gathers to watch three of their comrades take an open air bath in the tubs. Each man has a friend to scrub his back and shampoo his hair, circa 17 October 1939.
V. Two ranks of a Royal Air Force Guard of Honour on parade in snow outside the British Expeditionary Force's Air Component headquarters (?), actual date unknown.
Production Details: British Pathe (Production company)
Martin, C R (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Expeditionary Force (regiment/service)
British Army, Border Regiment, 1st Battalion (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's), 1st Battalion (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, British Expeditionary Force Air Component (regiment/service)
Keywords: Orchies, Nord, France (geography)
Gavrelle, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
Phoney War 1939-1940, Second World War (event)
British Army 1939-1945 (theme)
France and the Low Countries 1939-1940 (theme)
Royal Air Force 1939-1945 (theme)
