Summary: An account of a typical National Serviceman's career in REME.
Description: A preface sketches briefly the development of increasingly complex military technology from the age of the horse to that of tanks and amphibious or airborne operations. The camera then 'visits' a Territorial Army REME training battalion, and 'interviews' a private, a Corporal and a Sergeant. The private remembers his call-up and basic training, posting to a REME training centre Vehicle Wing, interview for suitability as driver and instruction in engine mechanics and lorry driving. Radio training (and/or 'hamming'?); motorcycle training; REME training centre Armament Wing workshop; off-duty sport and social life. The scene returns to the TA Workshop; the Corporal recalls amusing mishaps in his training, his first posting, promotion and work on an exercise (salvaging a bogged-down tank). The Sergeant very briefly adds his own contribution, and the three interviewees say goodbye.
Production Details: Army Kinema Corporation (Production sponsor)
World Wide Pictures (Production company)
Grand National Pictures (Production company)
Dickson, Paul (Production individual)
Edgar, Hindle (Production individual)
Jackman, A F (Production individual)
Willis, Ted (Production individual)
Anscombe, Ronald (Production individual)
Mounteney, C L (Production individual)
Cockburn, Francis (Production individual)
Dean, Micky (Production individual)
Payne, Wallace (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (regiment/service)
British Army, Territorial Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: communications, British military - electronic: radio (object name)
engineering, military, British (object name)
operations, British military - maintenance (object name)
operations, British military - routine (object name)
operations, British military - salvage: armour (object name)
recreation, British military - casual (object name)
recruitment, British (object name)
training, British - specialist: REME (object name)
transport, British military - 2/3 wheel: motorcycle (object name)
GB, England (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2453 ft; Running time: 27 mins
