London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Inspection of Special Constables
Crowds applaud 900 Special Constables as they drill before a packed pavilion in Barking.
From the collection of:
Overview
At the outbreak of war, Sir Edward Ward, who had served In India and the War Office and been appointed Chief Commandant of the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary, called for more Special Constables to join the ranks, depleted by Army call-ups. Here, 900 such men are diligently inspected by Ward at a playing field in Barking, before they march in squares across the grass to the applause of watching crowds.
The Special Constables were volunteers, paid in expenses, who Ward organised into a more cohesive force during the war. They were asked to guard the water supply, bridges and public buildings from possible action by German agents.
Related
Watch for free
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Watch for free
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
Watch for free
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Watch for free
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
Watch for free
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Watch for free
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
Watch for free
Last day of the RT-type Bus, 1979 Last day of the RT-type Bus, 1979
Industry sponsored film 1979 6 mins Silent Location: Barking
It's standing room only on board the RT-Type bus as it makes its way through Barking for the last time, in this bittersweet short film from 1979.
Watch for free
The Opening of Barking Swimming Pool The Opening of Barking Swimming Pool
Non-Fiction 1931 0 mins Silent Location: Barking
Much excitement for the opening of Barking's new swimming pool - better known as the East End's Lido.
Watch for free
'Long-beat' 'Long-beat'
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Barking
Terrific scenes of comedy walking as hundreds policemen line-up for the annual British Police Walking Championship from Barking to Southend.
Watch for free
Way down East Way down East
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Barking
Splendid shots of the king’s visit to the opening of a new power station in Barking, with terrific views of gleaming turbines and control panels.
Watch for free
Boulter Family Films: Town Show, Barking & Dagenham (1960s) Boulter Family Films: Town Show, Barking & Dagenham (1960s)
Amateur film 1960 0 mins Silent Location: Barking
Very brief shots from what appears to be the Barking & Dagenham Town Show in the mid-60s, showing some of the local beauty queens on floats.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.