Summary: Promotional film detailing the work of the Merchant Navy Comforts Service during the Second World War.
Description: Merchant Navy at sea. Effects of enemy torpedo attacks. Merchant seamen advised to "keep your chin up and hope for the best". Sailor receives package from the Merchant Navy Comforts Service (MNCS) containing warm clothing. Label attached, addressing the parcel as "from a friend ashore to a friend still afloat". Donated material being handled by volunteers and parceled up. An estimated 300,000 women in Great Britain knitting clothing for the Merchant Navy, including socks, scarves, gloves and the all important thick jumper. One volunteer is engaged to a merchant seaman, seen here receiving a parcel from the MNCS. Books and games are also donated, "for boredom is quite often the worst enemy for a sailor away from home". Parcels are also dispatched to merchant seamen currently held by the enemy as prisoners of war. Information Bureau set up by the MSCS fittingly near Nelson's Column, where merchant seamen are able to seek all kinds of advice and assistance, for they "only have to ask". Children of merchant seamen killed during the war are seen enjoying themselves in a rowing boat, as part of a holiday organised by their local Sailors' Home. Short and scripted interview with the Presidents of the MSCS and the National Union of Servicemen, discussing the benefit of the MSCS to merchant seamen, particularly the positive impact the work of the MSCS has on morale.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:No
Object_Number:MGH 6735
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: MERCHANT NAVY COMFORTS SERVICE (Production sponsor)
Russell Productions (Production company)
Russell, Stanley (Production individual)
Bridge, Kirkland (Production individual)
Sheridan, Harry L (Production individual)
Gamlin, Lionel James1903-04-301967-10-16 (Production cast)
