National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Empire Sunday at Rhyl 1919
With Empire on the wane, Rhyl still turns out proud and patriotic, to salute her fallen sons
From the collection of:
Overview
It’s a big day for Rhyl, where hundreds turn out to remember the townsmen who have fallen in the service of country and empire. There’s a prom parade, then the placing of a wreath on the war memorial. Despite the organised nature of the event, with its serried marching, there’s also an informality – smiles, youngsters jostling, a latecomer nipping over the fence to join in the wreath laying.
The Shannon brothers, who made this film, knew that local footage such as this would help attract an audience to their Market Street cinema in Rhyl. It’s possible that the family and friends of the smiling Sgt. W Roberts, here seen receivig the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal), made sure of their seats for the screening of the film, along with the many other participants including the ‘Red Cross Boys’ and hospital staff, whose many uniformed nurses are seen proudly bearing the red cross flag to St Thomas’s church.
Related
Watch for free
Fun at Rhyl Fun at Rhyl
Advert 1962 0 mins Location: Rhyl
Cinema advertisement for Marine Lake & Ocean Beach, Rhyl, a popular destination for crowds set on a day's fun on free rides.
Watch for free
Children on Beach 1898 Children on Beach 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Seaside play at Rhyl - charmingly filmed by Wales' first filmmaker
Watch for free
Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I
Amateur film 1954 21 mins Location: Moel Famau
Hwn yw fy nyffryn I - This is my valley: proud inhabitants of Dyffryn Clwyd illustrate its bounty and its ancient and religious buildings.
Watch for free
Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl
Non-Fiction 1920 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
A good deal for a stranded seal - fishy handout for Rhyl’s sleek and adorable visitor
Watch for free
St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys
Non-Fiction 1920 2 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Jollyboys’ japes v St. Asaph’s antics – this is more foolin’ around than football!
Watch for free
Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station
Non-Fiction 1920 5 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
It’s all feathers, flags and finery at Rhyl for the welcoming of posh Prince Arthur
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.