Title:HM QUEEN ELIZABETH VISITS WATERLOO STATION [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 50
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A record of HM Queen Elizabeth visiting the Southern Railway First Aid Post at Waterloo Station on a charitable fundraising day. There is also a demonstration by a fire fighting locomotive, followed by a 9.2-inch railway gun being loaded and fired.
Description: (2 May 1944) Waterloo Station, London, on the day of HM Queen Elizabeth's visit. Civilians around the station are making collections for Hospitals Day, including; a lady in a pin covered jacket, two girls in Red Cross nurses uniform, a decorated veteran and a group of three children with a black pony. Civilians and service personnel make donations. The film cuts to HM Queen Elizabeth disembarking from a motor vehicle and being greeted by dignitaries outside the station. Police officers form a cordon and a small civilian crowd follow as they are ushered in through a concrete doorway, flanked by posters for Hospitals Day. The Queen stops to talk with some of the charity fundraisers, before moving on to the Southern Railway First Aid Post. A notice above the door outside; “SOUTHERN RAILWAY FIRST AID POST”, and to the left of this another notice; “ARP SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY”. SH324
(5 May 1944) A demonstration of a fire fighting locomotive (No. 2220) at Nine Elms, West London. Four Southern Railway firemen fix hoses to the pressure pump at the rear of the driver's cab, and direct water towards the side of the track. A fifth fireman operates the pump. (2 min 38 sec) SH325
(7 May 1944) A 9.2-inch railway gun is fired from railway sidings at North Tawton, Devon. A large group of service personnel are assembled as a second shell is hoisted onto the firing platform by winch, and then reloaded. A temporary communications post has been established beside the track, from which signalmen transmit radio messages and shout instructions through a loudhailer. Another locomotive steams past on the adjacent track, before the sequence of loading and firing the railway gun resumes. A brief shot of the “NORTH TAWTON” signal box features towards the end. (4 min) SH327
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
