This film is part of Free
Mounting and Dismounting a 3-ton Gun
Royal Marines demonstrate the fearsome artillery skills they would take to the Boer War - all without firing a shot
Non-Fiction 1900 3 mins Silent
Overview
It takes at least 15 Royal Marines just to lift this gun into position with levers and chocks, although dismounting is simpler - just tilt and drop. It's a heavy job, and the men work fast, jumping into position as rapidly a Formula One pit crew. This film would have shown people in Britain what life and work was like for the country's armed forces in the Boer War, on a front thousands of miles away. Today's military technology makes this kind of combat seem even more distant.
This film was produced by Cecil Hepworth's production company Hepwix and was almost certainly shot by HV Lawley, a recent addition to the staff, who made several military news films for the outfit.
Subjects
Related
England Expects
Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901) Trafalgar Day in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Huge crowds turn out in Edwardian Liverpool for the annual celebrations marking the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Infantry at Pretoria (c.1900) Infantry at Pretoria (c.1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 3 mins Silent
First-hand footage of troops on parade in Boer War era Pretoria.
Fleet in the Tyne (1901) Fleet in the Tyne (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Destroyers from the Edwardian Royal Navy filmed from a ship in the Tyne.
Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901) Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 19 mins Silent Location: Manchester
The might of the British Navy struts its stuff down the Manchester Ship Canal.
Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901) Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Crowds throng the streets for the return of Manchester's Volunteers from South Africa.
1st Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment - Blackburn Rifle Volunteers (1900) 1st Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment - Blackburn Rifle Volunteers (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Blackburn
An impressive display of numbers from the local volunteer force as part of the Blackburn Easter Fair.
New
Blue Pullman Blue Pullman
Industry sponsored film 1960 24 mins
A new luxury express is put through its paces. This film looks over the shoulders of the select band of craftsmen, engineers and operators, whose combined skills try to ensure that a train journey is a delightful experience.
The Scene from Melbury House The Scene from Melbury House
Documentary 1973 15 mins
British Transport Films record the varied daily lives of their neighbours as seen from the high roof of their building in London’s Marylebone.
Fully Fitted Freight Fully Fitted Freight
Industry sponsored film 1957 20 mins
Illustrating the efficiency of express freight trains, and how they link manufacturers with their customers at the other end of Britain.
Train Time Train Time
Documentary 1952 30 mins
Examining a day in the life of what was then the busiest railway system in the world – British Railways.
This Is York This Is York
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
A Future on Rail A Future on Rail
Industry sponsored film 1957 9 mins
A 1957 film examining the future for British Railways, and some of the opportunities provided by a new modernisation plan.