This film is part of Free
Local pride beams off the screen at this "quatercentenary" (400th anniversary) celebration of a victory of town youths in a skirmish with English troops. The sculptor of the unveiled statue - "The Horse" which still stands proudly - was Hawick-born William Beattie, aged just 25. He was killed in action in October 1918, and a tribute to him was later added to the statue by his father.
Originally filmed by the Gaumont company for their newsreel, this surviving version of the film may have been purchased by the Scottish Borders town as a record of the events and contain more footage than any released version. The curious opening title of "Quaker" Centenary is a mistake on behalf of the titler, who was presumably unfamiliar with the uncommon term quatercentenary.
