Title:ROYAL NAVY SAILORS FROM HMS AJAX AND HMS EXETER ON PARADE THROUGH LONDON [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 75
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Sailors from Royal Navy vessels, HMS AJAX and HMS EXETER, arriving into Waterloo Station for a parade through London. There is also a sequence demonstrating the process of making railway sleepers at Redbridge, in Hampshire.
Description: (16 February 1940) Piles of sleepers, steel girders and other essential railway maintenance spares at the Knockholt emergency Repair Depot in Kent. CH12
(16 February 1940) The crew of Royal Navy vessel the HMS AJAX, arriving at Waterloo Station, London. They quickly fill the platform, all wearing greatcoats and “HMS AJAX” caps. Royal Navy Officers are also present amongst the crowd. CH13 (1 min 26 sec)
(23-27 February 1940) A brief shot of the Marble Archway entrance at Waterloo Station, as crewman from the HMS AJAX and HMS EXETER leave to embark on a parade through London. The scene then cuts to the navy crewmen marching through crowds lining a main street. Shots from an elevated angle show policemen and APR Wardens (?) trying to restrain the crowds as they spill through the station gates to follow the parade. The parade then passes the Marble Archway, led by a military marching band. More elevated shots illustrate the size and enthusiasm of the gathered crowd, waving Union Jack flags and leaning out of upper floor windows. (3 min 03 sec) CH14-15
(27 February 1940) Close-up of a workman “chaining sleepers” at Redbridge in Hampshire. The sequence demonstrates the process of adzing and boring sleepers, using a mixture machinery and manual labour. At the end of their initial processing, the sleepers emerge on specialist rail trucks, stacked into bundles. The process of fitting the sleepers with pins to support metal track sections follows, once again using a mixture of machinery and manual labour. (5 min 09 sec) CH16-17 (Also MH25)
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
