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Other titles:VICTORY DAY JUNE 1946 [Main Title]
AMATEUR FILM BY R W JOHNSON [Alternative Title]
Summary: Amateur colour film shot by RAF ground crew electrician Leading Aircraftsman R W Johnson (and his father William Johnson) during peace celebrations in London on VE Day 1945 and Victory Day 1946, and of his own journey to Celle to serve with the British Occupation forces in Germany in 1946.
Description: Film records popular scenes of celebration on VE Day (8 May 1945) in the central parts of London (Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Saint Paul's Cathedral). Followed by amateur colour film shot by his father of display of planes on Horse Guards parade during RAF Victory Week (6-16 June 1946 ) and of the Victory Day commemorative procesion of military leaders and vehicles through South London on 8 June 1946, and night time views of illuminated advertisements in Piccadilly Circus after the lifting of wartime blackout restrictions. Followed by black and white film shot by R W Johnson travelling by train through ruins of defeated Germany in 1946 from Hook of Holland to Bad Oeynhausen and Celle, where he was stationed. Castle and RAF flag outside NAAFI in Celle; unit locations sign. (Colour) Transport in centre of old Celle; tilt up undamaged church. At Hanover British Army soldiers and RAF airmen enjoy Sunday off-duty entertainment as spectators and riders at a motor-cycle rally track.
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 358 ft; Running time: 15 mins
HD Media:Yes
Notes: Summary: family with British bulldog identified by Mrs Pam Bristow (née Read) as the Read family (when film was shown on TV on 8/5/2005 in "Victory in War in Colour"). "We are the family with the bulldog wearing a Union Jack across her back. We were walking from our home in Rochester Row, SW1 toward Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace to join the VE Day celebrations on 8 May 1945. We were all unaware of being filmed. The bulldog's name was Britannia (called "Brit"). Names of family members shown on film: Brit (The Dog), Mrs Elsie Read (Mother), Audrey (13 years), Carol (11), Pam (9), Bill (5)"
