London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
In the Interests of Mercy
Firepower and fancy dress as a captured German field gun is the focus of a parade through Croydon to mark Red Cross Week.
From the collection of:
Overview
Held to raise funds and awareness for the Red Cross, this parade through the centre of Croydon also allowed spectators to catch a glimpse of a German field gun that had been captured by British soldiers in Loos. The horse-pulled gun leads the march, and is followed by various carts, including one containing nurses tending wounded soldiers (possibly in costume) and women dressed in national costume. Crowds line the streets to watch.
The gun is later shown in close-up with a board proclaiming that it was a 35mm German field gun captured by the 20th (County of London Battalion), the London Regiment (Blackheath & Woolwich) 47th (2nd London) Division Territorial Force on September 25th, 1915. We also get a better look at three of the women in costume, now wearing badges numbered 1, 2 and 3, presumably the results of a fancy dress competition. The winner, resplendent in tartan, smiles shyly.
Related
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
Croydon and Gatwick Airport Croydon and Gatwick Airport
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Members of the Surrey Flying Club erect their clubhouse at Croydon aerodrome while a few miles to the south we see Gatwick's pre-war terminal
Croydon Flyover Croydon Flyover
Amateur film 1974 1 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Shot only five years after its opening, this film showcases the Croydon Flyover in all its concrete glory.
Holiday News of Bracklesham Holiday News of Bracklesham
Amateur film 1937 14 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Hinchcliffs at Bracklesham Bay in this family film from 1937 - with beachside frolics, sand yachts and Uncle Bert’s fishing lessons
Jubilee Jubilee
Amateur film 1977 5 mins Silent Location: Croydon
It's all bell bottoms and bunting as families gather to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
The New Croydon The New Croydon
1963 9 mins Location: Croydon
Jaunty, optimistic look at Croydon being reconstructed in the 1960s, with large concrete towers presented as a symbol of a bright new future.
Ross Family Pictures Ross Family Pictures
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Ross family and friends - and a frisky fox terrier - for fun in the garden, frolics on the beach and plane-spotting at Croydon Aerodrome
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.