England Expects

Stunning cinematic record of a key British defeat in the Boer War

A Boer War re-enactment with a ring of authenticity

A uniformed marching band takes to the street in this early film by pioneer cinematographer Birt Acres

A stunning shot of ships at sea - with a little help from some creative ingenuity

The senior regiment of the British Army, the Life Guards, are dismissed after a Royal Review

Come face to face with the Victorian age in this Boer War-era parade film with an unexpected ending

With the Boer War raging 1,000s of miles away, Victorian Londoners pay tribute to the military

British cavalry advance after the Battle of Modder River in the Boer War

Naval trainees show off their weapons prowess for the camera

Back in Blighty - after fighting in the Boer War, these volunteer soldiers are heading home to London and Middlesex

A Boer War poser: how do you get a balloon and a train of carts drawn by mules and oxen across a river with no bridge?

A dispatch from South Africa? Or an elaborate deception?

Military processions could usually be relied on to draw a crowd, both in the streets and later in the cinemas.

An impressive eight-some performs some Victorian gymnastics for the camera.

A triumphant moment in the Boer War

An enigmatic bit of film rescued from history's dustbin

Boer war sailors fire, dismantle, move and reassemble a pair of heavy guns in a contest of skill and dexterity.

Troops on the move - but are they destined for the battlefield?

A military supremo takes command of British forces in South Africa

The Gordon Highlanders parade over Edinburgh's (brand) New North Bridge

For Britons during the Boer War, a welcome opportunity to support the troops - and march alongside them

An impressive display of numbers from the local volunteer force as part of the Blackburn Easter Fair.

Boer war soldiers play at cowboys, as long teams of oxen are harnessed to keep heavy siege guns moving

A menagerie of animals helps troops cross a river without getting their feet wet

Australia’s contribution to the Boer War effort is glimpsed en route to the front.

A vigorous military drill is watched by a large crowd.

The spectacle of a royal visit in Victorian Wales is captured by local showman Arthur Cheetham.

RW Paul’s tactic of lending a camera to Walter Beevor of the Scots Guards pays dividends in this Boer War footage.

Field ambulances attempt a tricky crossing of the Vaal during the Boer War.

British troops dig in during the Boer war campaign

A rambunctious crowd greets the Highlanders in Aberdeen, some more interested in the camera than the soldiers.

The British Indian Army present arms for the camera in this early actuality film

First-hand footage of troops on parade in Boer War era Pretoria.

Royal Marines demonstrate the fearsome artillery skills they would take to the Boer War - all without firing a shot

The Nubia sets sail from Southampton as the crisis in South Africa escalates.

Another example of early amateur cinematography from Robert A Mitchell, yet to perfect his cranking technique.

A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade

With grim news from the Boer War, a popular military commander is given a fond farewell as he leaves to take command

A very patriotic heroes' welcome for men who volunteered to fight for their country in the Boer War

The Boer War hero addresses a capacity crowd in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens and unveils a statue to the late Queen Victoria.

Liberal politician and former Prime Minister Lord Rosebery addresses appreciative crowds.

A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.

A marching band leads the parades with the Boer War still raging

An early film scoop, capturing the South African president on film

An ordinary hero of the Boer War in a curious silent 'interview'.

Londoners turn out in their thousands to greet the returning Boer War hero after his famous defence of Ladysmith

Soldiers returning from the Boer War get a warm welcome home from crowds in Edwardian Birmingham.

Crowds throng the streets for the return of Manchester's Volunteers from South Africa.

The Scottish regiment filmed on their return from fighting in the Sudan

British commander Lord Roberts takes possession of Kroonstad - a huge symbolic victory in the Boer War

The might of the British Navy struts its stuff down the Manchester Ship Canal.

Huge crowds turn out in Edwardian Liverpool for the annual celebrations marking the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

An unusual film showing Victorian sailors larking around.

Before the firing squad: a group of young marines aim their rifles at the camera during a drill.

City Imperial Volunteers head for the Boer War battleground

Military hero Lord Kitchener is presented with the Freedom of the City of London.

British soldiers freshly in South Africa

An explosive bit of early war film

Injured soldiers head home from South Africa in this film advertised as portraying "one of the dark sides of war".

Anticipating a swift victory General Buller heads for his third campaign in South Africa, with his wife in tow

A calm scene from the Boer War

The Scottish regiment joins the relief column following the devastating siege of Ladysmith in the Boer War

Horse guards and artillery going great guns in a London parade

A Boer War celebration - but with the war still raging

Spot the Queen, as she bids farewell to part of the Household Cavalry before they head off to the Anglo-Boer war

The 2nd Battalion West Yorkshires head off to join the Boer War

Soldiers parade on a Scottish street before heading for action in the Boer War

Sailors from HMS 'Excellent' operate a 9-pounder muzzle loading field gun

Fragment of an epic, starring the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

A brisk drill on a cold winter's day

Brits versus Boers... or are they?

Destroyers from the Edwardian Royal Navy filmed from a ship in the Tyne.

Some nifty product placement creeps in to this formal portrait of the Lancaster Volunteers.

The Bolton Artillery Volunteers put on an impressive parade despite the snow. 

A story from South Africa recreated rather closer to home

Despite the retreating Boers blowing up the original bridge, the rapid movement of troops is quickly restored.

Stunning cinematic record of a key British defeat in the Boer War

Stunning cinematic record of a key British defeat in the Boer War