The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Wings for Victory
The `Wings for Victory' parade, Aylsham, May 1943, captured by Richard Beard a master mariner who served as a Squadron Leader, based at Coltishall, during World War II.
From the collection of:
Overview
Although visuals are poor, this film does give a flavour of one town’s experience of ‘Wings for Victory’ week. In Aylsham, Norfolk, a parade of servicemen, nurses, Women’s Voluntary Service (the WVS), and Girl Guides, parade through the town centre. It is possible to see at the film’s conclusion an aerial display of fighter aircraft. This footage was captured by Richard Beard, a master mariner who served as a Squadron Leader, based at Coltishall, during World War II.
The RAF equivalent of Warship Week, almost every town had ‘Wings for Victory’ fundraising weeks to help pay for new aircrafts. Wings for Victory was prominent in Aylsham as successive RAF and USAAF Squadrons were stationed at nearby Oulton and housed at Blickling Hall. In 1943, when this film was shot, it was decided that the national scheme would raise funds to pay for more bombers. Aimed to raise £100,000; the actual amount raised was £179,000.
Related
Watch for free
Yesterday Is over Your Shoulder Yesterday Is over Your Shoulder
Industry sponsored film 1940 8 mins
An enticing government call for men to retrain as skilled engineers to help with the war effort.
Watch for free
Warwork News No 11 Warwork News No 11
Cinemagazine 1942 12 mins
Wartime news magazine for factory workers, sponsored by the Ministry of Supply. News items often stressed the value of the 'factory front'.
Currently unavailable
Worker and War Front No. 3 Worker and War Front No. 3
Cinemagazine 1942 11 mins Location: Liverpool
A wartime magazine made to motivate and inform war workers, commissioned by the Ministry of Information in 1942 and exclusively screened in factories.
Watch for free
Behind the Guns Behind the Guns
Documentary 1940 20 mins Silent
A Second World War propaganda film, looking at the industrial might behind Great Britain’s armed forces.
Watch for free
Shipbuilders Shipbuilders
Government sponsored film 1940 10 mins
Shipwrights, plate-fitters and riveters support the war effort as their ships take majestic shape in this tour of British shipyards.
Watch for free
The Port of Cardiff 2 The Port of Cardiff 2
Promotional 1943 25 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
Meat and wheat, oranges and eggs (dried), salmon and peaches (tinned) arrive in Cardiff from Brazil, America, Canada and New Zealand to keep war-time’s wolf from the allied door.
Watch for free
A Day at Aylsham Show 1971 A Day at Aylsham Show 1971
Amateur film 1971 14 mins Silent Location: Aylsham
A varied and exciting program of events at East Anglia’s largest one-day agricultural show, the Aylsham Show held at the Blickling Estate.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Watch for free
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.