London Warships Week (1942)

Titles read: “LONDON WARSHIPS WEEK“. London. Various shots of massed crowds in Trafalgar Square for a huge rally in aid of London Warship Week. Part of the Square is decorated to look like a warship, with huge (model) guns jutting out. From the bridge of the model ship, Mr A V Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, makes a rousing speech, saying “England needs your help!“. On the second day of the fund-raising week we see various shots of a parade through London by the Navy, ATS, RAF and other services. Sir John Laurie, Lord Mayor of London takes the salute. Floats go by, pulling a lifeboat, a model man-o-war sailing ship and the conning tower of an H class submarine. Commentator mentions the “strangely silent crowd-lined streets“ as there is no cheering from spectators, but tells us by the end of the first day £28 million had been raised towards the £125 million target. So, “although we didn’t cheer, it made us feel good“. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE C