The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Morley Fire Brigade
In the shadow of the blitz, Morley Fire Services show that they are prepared for the worst, practising their routines for dealing with fires, fire victims and incendiary bombs.
From the collection of:
Overview
A great behind the scenes look at Morley Fire Brigade in 1940, seen here relaxing with a game of snooker and doing keep fit exercises as well as their fire drill. They are joined in these by their sister Home Front services the ARP (Air Raid Precautions, usually called wardens) and the AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service), with the apparently mandatory schoolboy always looking on.
This film was made by Mr Williamson who served in the First World War and trained air cadets in the Second. He made a sizeable collection of films from 1940 onwards, including also filming the 108 Squadron and the Air Training Corps during the war. The First World War had already introduced the notion of a 'Home Front', the mobilisation of civilians in support of the war effort. The idea was re-activated in 1938 during the Munich crisis, when the Air Ministry predicted 65,000 casualties a week. At the outbreak of the war the British government ordered a million coffins. Fortunately Morley wasn’t bombed during the war, although several other West Yorkshire towns and cities were.
Related
Watch for free
Air Training Corps Air Training Corps
Non-Fiction 1941 19 mins Silent Location: Morley
With the war in full flow these young ATC recruits prepare for any possible action with gymnastics, swimming, athletics and . . . sack races, while also enjoying a game of cricket.
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.