Title:VISIT OF THE HON J R BENNETT, MINISTER OF MILITIA OF NEWFOUNDLAND, TO FRANCE, 1918 [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 253
Other titles:
Summary: Mr John Bennett's visit to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in France, 22-26 June 1918.
Description: (Reel 1) Bennett arrives at Boulogne on 22 June, met by Major H A Timewell and war correspondents H M Beeton and Frederick McKenzie. Next day Bennett inspects the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Ecuires, talking briefly to the temporary commanding officer, Major A E Bernard, and to the RSM. He decorates nine NCOs and men, following which the regiment marches past. On 24 June Bennett visits Arras Cathedral, which shows the results of heavy shelling, although there are grass and flowers growing in the rubble. (Reel 2) On the following day, Bennett inspects the regimental transport, including a field kitchen. The transport marches past as he watches. He talks to Sergeant-Major Sampson DCM, who captured a German machine gun post single-handed. Bennett watches a drill display at the training camp, inspects new recruits, and delivers a short speech, following which the recruits march past. On 26 June the ceremony of changing the guard takes place outside the regimental headquarters, complete with bugles and fixed bayonets.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Topical Film Company (Production company)
McDowell, J B (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Bennett, John R (person)
Beeton, H M (person)
Timewell, H A (person)
McKenzie, Frederick (person)
Bernard, A E (person)
Sampson (Sergeant-Major) (person)
British Army, 29th Division (regiment/service)
British Army, Newfoundland Regiment (regiment/service)
Keywords: delegations, Newfoundland national - political (object name)
buildings, French - religious: cathedral (object name)
ceremonies, Newfoundland - customary: changing of the guard (object name)
journalism and record, British - press (object name)
01/3(4-15).8 (event)
Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
Ecuires, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
Arras Cathedral, Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France (geography)
