Extracts from the Documentary Film Solihull in Wartime [2]

Summary

Events in Solihull during the Second World War including a recycling campaign and the aftermath of an air raid. Filmed by H. T. Lavender.

Year:

1943

Duration:

0:21:28

Film type:

Colour / Silent

Genre:

Amateur Film

Company:

Master format:

16mm

Description

"Waste Paper Salvage Drive". We open with a view of the Council House on Poplar Road which has been adorned with a large sign 'Save Your Waste'. We then see a boy dropping off scrap paper from a collection point on The Crescent and then views of a Solihull UDC refuse truck on its rounds collecting material for recycling (including shots of women standing on the back platform of the truck and later sorting the paper at their depot). We then see views of the inauguration of the Solihull and District Army Cadet Force at Shirley. A man in uniform salutes the camera and we then see two groups of cadets (one group of boys are in uniforms that other are not). They stand to attention, fall-out and then march away. "Wings for Victory Campaign". The next section begins with posters for the Wings for Victory fund raising campaign for the RAF (held 5 to 12 June in 1943). We then see a parade and march past to launch the campaign held in heavy rain with British and American service personnel passing the Council House. We then see RAF service men standing to attention outside the Council House (weather improved so may be a different day). We then see members of the public sticking savings stamps onto two 500lb pound bombs that are destined for Berlin. The next section shows a demonstration baseball match played by American soldiers at Olton. We then see the exterior of a village shop with people standing outside at Chessetts Wood accompanied by an inter-title saying over £3,000 has been raised. We then see the Council House again and a sign indicates that the target of £600,000 has been exceeded. The next section shows the Solihull Police Victory Garden Show (held in September 1943 at Malvern Park). We see fundraisers dressed as gypsies with collecting tins and playing a hurdy-gurdy. The chairman of the council also tries the hurdy-gurdy and we see views of the fair including mounted police, marching bands and military parades. A a banner promoting the Dig for Victory campaign is also visible. The final section depicts the aftermath of an air-raid on 27 July 1942. An inter-title describes it as the first daylight raid which took place in the Alston Road area. We then see a shot of an aircraft flying overhead and views of destroyed houses (on Cornyx Lane) including people standing outside. A subsequent inter-title tells us that 10 people were killed and 32 injured. We then see views of the funeral cortege and shots of a cemetery.


Credits

H. T. Lavender, Dorridge, Warwickshire


Notes