Wounded at Kew

Battered, bandaged and playing croquet on crutches, wounded First World War soldiers get a break from the Western Front.

This propaganda short shows happy British soldiers as they enjoy tea near Kew Bridge while children watch through iron railings. The soldiers are recuperating at Richmond Red Cross Hospital, accompanied by nurses and children. One, head swathed in bandages, takes a strawberry and waves. Others, on crutches, play croquet. For the finale, two soldiers pick up a young girl draped in a Union flag, who waves another flag enthusiastically at the camera.

Context: London Screen Archives