National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free

Empire Sunday at Rhyl 1919
With Empire on the wane, Rhyl still turns out proud and patriotic, to salute her fallen sons
From the collection of:

Overview
It’s a big day for Rhyl, where hundreds turn out to remember the townsmen who have fallen in the service of country and empire. There’s a prom parade, then the placing of a wreath on the war memorial. Despite the organised nature of the event, with its serried marching, there’s also an informality – smiles, youngsters jostling, a latecomer nipping over the fence to join in the wreath laying.
The Shannon brothers, who made this film, knew that local footage such as this would help attract an audience to their Market Street cinema in Rhyl. It’s possible that the family and friends of the smiling Sgt. W Roberts, here seen receivig the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal), made sure of their seats for the screening of the film, along with the many other participants including the ‘Red Cross Boys’ and hospital staff, whose many uniformed nurses are seen proudly bearing the red cross flag to St Thomas’s church.
Related

Fun at Rhyl Fun at Rhyl
Advert 1962 0 mins Location: Rhyl
Cinema advertisement for Marine Lake & Ocean Beach, Rhyl, a popular destination for crowds set on a day's fun on free rides.

Children on Beach 1898 Children on Beach 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Seaside play at Rhyl - charmingly filmed by Wales' first filmmaker

Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I Hwn Yw Fy Nyffryn I
Amateur film 1954 21 mins Location: Moel Famau
Hwn yw fy nyffryn I - This is my valley: proud inhabitants of Dyffryn Clwyd illustrate its bounty and its ancient and religious buildings.

Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl Seal Ashore at Foryd, Rhyl
Non-Fiction 1920 1 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
A good deal for a stranded seal - fishy handout for Rhyl’s sleek and adorable visitor

St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys St Asaph v. Rhyl Jolly Boys
Non-Fiction 1920 2 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
Jollyboys’ japes v St. Asaph’s antics – this is more foolin’ around than football!

Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station Prince Arthur of Connaught Arrives at Rhyl Station
Non-Fiction 1920 5 mins Silent Location: Rhyl
It’s all feathers, flags and finery at Rhyl for the welcoming of posh Prince Arthur

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.