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
RAF Beverley Scenes
New young recruits are seen here showing their colours at the height of the war, marching through the town of Beverley, preparing for the battles ahead.
From the collection of:
Overview
With the war in full flow, these raw RAF recruits are gaining a sense of duty and military identity from a march through their home town of Beverley, receiving encouragement and support from their fellow citizens. The RAF was especially important in East Yorkshire, with these recruits possibly off to the nearby RAF Station at Driffield.
Local filmmakers Debenhams and Co. captured many of the events in wartime Beverley, including these examples of mutual solidarity between combatants and non-combatants. Military and service personnel parades through towns and cities such as these were common during the Second World War, unlike the First. They were usually seen during fund raising weeks for armaments; when those serving in war related services, including all those on the home front, would turn out and demonstrate their marching skills. These served to bond everyone together and boost morale: something recognised as vitally important in the war effort. Film courtesy of East Riding of Yorkshire Council Archives.
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