Banstead's Volunteer Services Celebrate Armistice Day

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Banstead's Volunteer Services Celebrate Armistice Day

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Banstead
1941-11-01
Silent
18m

Banstead's civil defenders are out in force in this compilation of events from the town's calendar - featuring a Drum Service, a cricket match and Armistice day processions.

A Drum Service is followed by rare colour footage of Home Guard and ATC cadets on parade in Banstead on Empire Day. These scenes are followed by a cricket match and a number of Armistice Day ceremonies showing civil defence and military personnel marching with members of the British Legion to the War Memorial. Also seen is the presentation of a mobile canteen to women of the British Legion at Guildford's Stoke Park, as well as an outdoor United Youth Service and salute.

The First World War: Remembrance

These poignant films return us to a time when the war was still fresh.

The First World War came to an end at 11am on 11 November 1918 - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - a day that was immediately commemorated as Armistice Day (Remembrance Sunday was an innovation of the Second World War). The annual parades and wreath laying became a staple of the newsreels, and subsequently television.

But the act of remembrance began long before the guns stopped firing. During the war, cinemas across the country regularly screened 'Roll of Honour' films, paying tribute to members of the local community who had been killed, captured or wounded in the conflict. And of course, while the war itself faded into history, filmmakers would revisit those world-shattering years for generations after.