Life Under Fire

Woking's AFS demonstrates its fire-fighting skills in a colourful competition held in 1940 followed by slumbering firemen leaping into action when duty calls.

As the nation slides into conflict, Nottingham prepares for a new type of warfare: the horrors of aerial bombardment and mustard gas attacks.

Stirring portrait of London in autumn 1941- its streets and monuments battle-scarred, but its spirit intact.

An alternative home movie; mother and daughter participate in Air Raid Precaution Training, captured at the family home by amateur filmmaker Trevor Spittle.

An indefatigable district nurse crisscrosses her rural patch to tend to the sick at home and on the farm.

Vivid colour footage of the wartime devastation wreaked on Bristol and Bath - and the barely affected village of Chew Magna.

An English Bull Terrier warns wartime cinema goers to put their cigarettes out with more care.

The story of how newspapers were distributed during the Blitz, stressing the importance of an accurate and objective press on the home front.

An account of the many ways people contributed to the war effort on the home front, focusing on the work that went on through the night.

Shooting and incendiary bomb extinguishing practice; the home front activities of the Hertfordshire Special Constabulary and Air Raid Precautions (A.R.P.) Unit in Hitchin.

This British propaganda film, made in 1945 for newly liberated countries in Europe, takes a positive view of British resilience during the Blitz.

A documentary picture of an Air Raid Wardens’ post during the Second World War, demonstrating cooperation between its workers and the community.

Members of Herne Bay's First Aid Posts gear up for gas-attack casualties in this remarkable film, which also features a visit to the deep tunnel shelters in the cliffs of Ramsgate.

As the last months of peace pass quickly by, Canterbury's firemen gear up for the war to come.

Leatherhead applauds and thanks its Civil Defence Service volunteers for their sterling efforts, in this fascinating film made during the last months of the Second World War.

The Bewdley Auxiliary Fire Service demonstrate their readiness as the tranquil Worcestershire town prepares for war.

‘ACK ACK’ is a profile of the soldiers who manned anti-aircraft positions on the home front during the Second World War.

The Flying Column of the Derbyshire Red Cross takes its vital blood collection service onto the road with a visit to Ashbourne.

Fascinating, technical military film made during the Blitz showing how to deal with unexploded bombs in London.

Drama created after the end of WWII by Neath brick-layer/projectionist Malcolm Brinley Jones to commemorate the bombing that people endured and those “who gave their lives”.

With thoughts of the dangers of the Blitz in people's minds, a local tragedy in Sandiacre brings preparations into stark focus.

Learn how to deal with incendiary bombs the correct way in this short and fiery film from Sydney Bligh.

Men of the NFS demonstrate their fire fighting equipment skills before an audience in this splendid colour film from 1942. And the best crews get the best prizes.

Barclays Bank's London HQ adapts to wartime banking, as a keen amateur filmmaker records staff at work, rest and play.

Britain counts the cost of war on its beleaguered housing stock and looks to rebuild new homes where thousands once stood.

Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister's masterly collage of the various people and classes of Britain - at home and at work, at war and at peace - is one of the great films of war-time Britain.

Men and women of the ARP learn how to deal with incendiary bombs, evacuate buildings and rescue the injured from smoke and flames in this fascinating short film from Sydney Bligh.

The Giles family makes the most of the last weeks of peace with outings, sports and floral domesticity before ending with antics in an air-raid shelter.

A film of two halves, beginning with the citizens of Bradford wandering through a city centre ravaged by the bombs of the Luftwaffe, and then enjoying a leisurely game of cricket.

A behind the scenes look at civil defence work during and after a Luftwaffe bombing raid on Bristol during the Second World War.

The young, old and infirm are evacuated from Blitz-hit cities in this moving testament to Britain's wartime organisational prowess.

An instructional film informing the British public how to act in the event of a gas attack during the Second World War.

While Jack Crawford is serving at sea his pregnant wife Alice has access to all the care she needs at the local North London welfare centre.

A commercially produced Ministry of Information film, explaining how vital information could be carelessly leaked to prying enemy ears on the home front.

A commercially made Ministry of Information film, explaining how vital information could be carelessly leaked to prying enemy ears on the home front.

Grumpy Grandma is put in her place during wartime food demonstration

A glamorous young student nurse charms patients and staff alike as she sails through her training.

As the shadow of the Cold War looms over Europe, Newcastle celebrates the soldiers and civilians who helped win the fight against fascism.

Brighton suffers in this sensational colour film showing the effects of the Luftwaffe's devastating raids on the seaside town.

The face mask comes of age in this intriguing wartime guide to germ prevention.

A ‘Careless Talk’ film made during the Second World War illustrating how scraps of information were pieced together and used to the enemies advantage.

A Ministry of Information film encouraging the wartime public to increase productivity by “taking work to the workers”.

The British public are encouraged to keep fit, as audiences are reminded they are “a nation of sportsmen” and “not a nation of spectators”.

A commemorative service in honour of the American servicemen who died in World War II, held at the purpose-built cemetery in Coton, Cambridgeshire.

It's clear from this homemovie that the war had only a fleeting impact during a very bleak year.

A Bedfordshire village celebrates Allied victory in the Pacific with a street party, captured in full colour by amateur filmmaker and Aspley Guise resident A.R. Sinfield.

The Morton family from Shirley show the way forward in Britain's war effort.

The inhabitants of Llandrindod go all out to make carnival day special, despite war-time privation. They muster floats, majorettes, a sparkling dragon and a walking blackout.

As the world changes, Harry and Eithne celebrate their wedding at Knighton in Leicester.

Widgey Raphael Newman, the short-lived, extraordinarily-named director of this period piece, has assembled attractive images of Wales but beware the commentary!

Soon after the VE Day celebrations, there is a second chance to let the hair down, and these dancers make the most of it with much humour, besides the pomp of the official ceremonies.

Whether it’s the height of the war or its aftermath makes no difference to these children enjoying themselves: at the seaside, on V E Day and around the bomb sites of Sheffield.

At Littleover in Derby the end of war in Europe is marked by Britannia leading a fancy dress parade. And, after nearly six years of war, it's finally time for a street party!

With races and a Punch and Judy show for the children and tug of war and a 'drunks' race for the adults the VE party at Colwick is soon in full swing.

Britain for beginners... or Americans, at least. An information film explaining the wonders of Britain to new American arrivals during WWII.

Wartime meals-on-wheels and some rare snapshots of the bomb-damaged Georgian terraces of Dix's Field, Exeter.

Life in Broadwater seems unaffected by the war in this film - especially when friends and relations drop by - though a closer look reveals that all is not quite what it seems.

"A bomb's cut the gas off. Where can we get a meal?" Look no further than the Friends Relief Service.

An American G.I. learns how to brew a proper English cuppa in this jolly wartime ad for Maypole tea.

A great example of ‘despite war, life continues’, Welwyn Garden City residents continue with annual traditions, festive occasions and celebrations, during wartime.

Beautifully presented production from The Newport and District Amateur Film Society which gives a real flavour of city celebrations on Victory in Europe Day (8th May 1945).

Cockney kids learn road sense the fun way in an entertaining and surprising wartime safety film.

The devastating firebombing of London in December 1940 is captured in great detail in this extraordinary film showing the work of the London Fire Brigade.

Brief film of the King and Queen leaving the RAF base at Hillingdon House in Uxbridge in the latter days of the Second World War.

The war is over so out come the cake and ale, the smiles and ‘V’ signs, and the effigy of Hitler that, tied to a lamppost, is for burning when night falls.

This is thought to be footage of an Armistice Day parade in Llandrindod which includes armed forces veterans, police, Girl Guides, nurses and Air Raid Patrol [ARP] wardens.

Relentless, dramatic footage of the fires and aftermath caused by bombing of Surrey Commercial Dock by the Luftwaffe on the first day of the Blitz.

Cheeky comic Arthur Askey advocates safe sneezing into a handkerchief to stop the spread of germs.

Pianists Charlie Kunz and Mark Hambourg tickle the ivories for our entertainment in this jolly musical short.

Following one family from 1944 onwards, this film tells the story of the women who worked to keep the home fires burning. An affecting tribute to the vital role women played ensuring that husbands, sons and daughters had something to come home to.

The 137th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in training at Hurst Park in the early days of WWII

Personal stories from the Londoners who rely on a successful and reliable transport system

Burrows, baths and benzyl benzoate – advice is shared on how to understand and treat the scourge of scabies.

This morale-boosting variety extravaganza – filled with radio personality Carroll Levis' discoveries - is like a wartime Britain's Got Talent.

Forget your troubles with this wartime cinema singalong.

A curious blue lake, a wonder tablet, a river boat and a picnic essential - sounds like the beginning of a story!

The key word in the book of fashion is simplicity

Set during rehearsals for a cabaret show, this short film features singer Rosalind Melville.

A Richard Massingham advert for Rinso detergent, featuring dirty petticoats and bloomers.

You too can solve the case of the stolen boy, courtesy of this film from 1944.

Short revue film starring female performers Renara, Irene Cutter and Shirley Lenner, plus Harry Parry and his Band.

Rhythm and romanticism rules over realism in this recreation of the origins of the rhumba dance

St Dunstan's Charity in Church Stretton assists those who've lost their sight to become "self-supporting citizens"