Title:A HOME GUARD INTER BATTALION EFFICIENCY COMPETITION [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BTF 82
Other titles:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Members of the Home Guard participate in a competition overseen by British Army Officers at Shoreham, in Kent. Scenes of severe bomb damage to the areas in and around the Southampton Docks following an air raid, and bomb damaged Southern Railway carriages at Brighton.
Description: (8 July 1940) Bomb damaged Southern Railway carriages are being shunted by an ‘E1’ class 0-6-0 locomotive (?) at Brighton, the South coast of England. All the windows of the carriages have been smashed by the bomb blast and close-ups show additional minor damage. CH60
(3-4 December 1940) (Technical: underexposed) A roof top perspective near Southampton Docks, showing surrounding buildings severely bomb damaged. The scene cuts to three firemen (National Fire Service?) dampening the inside of a burned out building. The film then cuts again to external shots of a large industrial building (“J RANK LTD – SOLENT MILLS) beside some railway tracks. The camera pans down to derailed fright railway wagons and a collapsed footbridge. A shot pans along the dockside highlighting the full extent of the damage. (55 sec) CH61-63
(15 December 1940) Intertitle; “S.R. HOME GUARD INTER BATTALION EFFICIENCY COMPETITIONS.” “2 nd. Battalion at Shoreham.” Starting with a still of a Home Guard member undertaking target practise inside a firing range. The scene cuts to outside, where the Home Guard receive instructions, followed by an inspection by British Army Officers (including an Officer from the 29th Infantry Brigade). The following sequence shows the Home Guard in groups loading rifles, marching, and using the “MINATURE RANGE”. A military band, also from the 29th Infantry Brigade, play beside a church where a British Army Officer makes a series of trophy presentations. (3 min 55 sec) CH64-66
Alternative Title:RAILWAYS IN BRITAIN, 1935-1976 [Allocated Series Title]
