Summary: The Ministry of Information version of a ceremonial gathering by the RAF Cadet Brigade in Saint Leonards-on-Sea on 20th May 1918, showing also airmen in France in late August 1917.
Description: The cadets are encamped near the town. They form on their grassy 'parade ground'. They march past Major-General F C Heath-Caldwell, commanding South Eastern Area of the RAF. The film jumps to their athletics meeting in Saint Leonards-on-Sea later that day. A crowd of cadets cheers the hurdles, the sack race, and a massed boxing demonstration. The film jumps back to the original parade, where Heath-Caldwell, along with the brigade commander, Brigadier-General A C Critchley, makes his inspection. Later in the day the cadets march past Heath-Caldwell along the front at Saint Leonards-on-Sea. The film jumps again to "the finished article", stock footage of pilots, actually of 60 Squadron RFC in France in August 1917. The group of pilots shown is, left to right, Frank 'Mongoose' Soden (with dog), Captain William 'Billy' Bishop VC DSO MC, Keith 'Grid' Caldwell, E W 'Moley' Molesworth, and Spencer 'Nigger' Horn, at Sainte Marie Cappel. Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters of 45 Squadron, also based at Sainte Marie, set off on a patrol flight. One plane stunt-flies in a 'falling leaf' dive. An FE2d of 20 Night Bomber Squadron comes in to land at Sainte Marie Cappel past the Sopwiths of 45 Squadron.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Critchley, Alfred C (person)
Heath-Caldwell, Frederick C (person)
Bishop, William Avery (person)
Soden, Frank (person)
Caldwell, Keith (person)
Molesworth, E W (person)
Horn, Spencer (person)
Royal Air Force, Cadet Bde (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Flying Corps, Squadron 60 (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Flying Corps, Squadron 20 (regiment/service)
British Army, Royal Flying Corps, Squadron 45 (regiment/service)
Keywords: delegations, British national - air (object name)
training, British air (object name)
ceremonies, British - display (object name)
propaganda, British - inspirational (object name)
recreation, British air - sport: athletics (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Royal Aircraft Establishment FE2d (object name)
operations, British air - sortie (object name)
operations, British air - return (object name)
31/3(41) (event)
01/3(4-15).7 (event)
Saint Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, England, UK (geography)
Sainte-Marie-Cappel, Nord, France (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 773 ft; Running time: 12 mins
