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Returning Heroes
Britain's victorious troops return from a distant war to a rapturous welcome.
Mitchell and Kenyon arrived on the scene just as the Boer War of 1899-1902 gave a boost to Britain's emerging moving picture industry, which boldly rivalled the press to offer the most potent reporting on the war. Like other film companies who couldn't make it to South Africa, M&K made reconstructions of reported events and Boer War-set dramas. But on their journeys across northern Britain they also captured the huge public displays of pride and relief that greeted the homecoming of the troops. There are appearances from celebrity generals Kitchener, Buller and Baden-Powell, and from forces leader Lord Roberts. Some films highlight the growing strength of Britain's navy and the local Territorial reserves. Perhaps most interesting are those that reflect a growing concern for the ordinary soldier. One of the most poignant celebrates Leeds infantryman Charles Ward, the last soldier to receive the Victoria Cross from the Queen herself. Digitisation of this collection was funded by The National Lottery.
Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901)Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 minsSilent Location: Manchester
Crowds throng the streets for the return of Manchester's Volunteers from South Africa.
Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901)Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 minsSilent Location: Edinburgh Castle
Troops play up for the camera in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
Return of the Lancaster Volunteers (1901)Return of the Lancaster Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 minsSilent Location: Lancaster
Some nifty product placement creeps in to this formal portrait of the Lancaster Volunteers.
Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901)Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 19 minsSilent Location: Manchester
The might of the British Navy struts its stuff down the Manchester Ship Canal.
Parade of the Bolton Artillery Volunteers (1901)Parade of the Bolton Artillery Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1904 3 minsSilent Location: Bolton
The Bolton Artillery Volunteers put on an impressive parade despite the snow.
Fleet in the Tyne (1901)Fleet in the Tyne (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 minsSilent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Destroyers from the Edwardian Royal Navy filmed from a ship in the Tyne.
Regiments Returned from Boer War to Victoria Barracks, Cork (1902)Regiments Returned from Boer War to Victoria Barracks, Cork (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 minsSilent
Boer War veterans return to barracks, led by a military band.
On the March with the Bradford Artillery at Buckhaw Brow, Settle (1902)On the March with the Bradford Artillery at Buckhaw Brow, Settle (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 5 minsSilent Location: Buck Haw Brow
An impressive array of men and machinery mount a hill in Settle, North Yorkshire.
Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903)Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903)
Non-Fiction 1903 5 minsSilent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.
Lieutenant Clive Wilson and Tranby Croft Party (1902)Lieutenant Clive Wilson and Tranby Croft Party (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 8 minsSilent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Celebrations to mark the return of a local hero from the Boer War offer an insight into his wealthy family.
1st Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment - Blackburn Rifle Volunteers (1900)1st Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment - Blackburn Rifle Volunteers (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 minsSilent Location: Blackburn
An impressive display of numbers from the local volunteer force as part of the Blackburn Easter Fair.
Ralph Pringle Interviewing Private Ward V.C. Hero in Leeds (1901)Ralph Pringle Interviewing Private Ward V.C. Hero in Leeds (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 minsSilent Location: Leeds
An ordinary hero of the Boer War in a curious silent 'interview'.
Return of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1901)Return of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 14 minsSilent Location: Birmingham
Soldiers returning from the Boer War get a warm welcome home from crowds in Edwardian Birmingham.
Parade of the Blackburn Territorials (1909)Parade of the Blackburn Territorials (1909)
Non-Fiction 1909 4 minsSilent Location: Blackburn
Soldiers leaving Blackburn for a Royal Review in Worsley, Manchester.
Return of Kitchener (1902)Return of Kitchener (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 minsSilent
Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, returns from South Africa to cheering crowds.
Return of the East Lancashire Regiment at Preston (1902)Return of the East Lancashire Regiment at Preston (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 6 minsSilent Location: Preston
The 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, return home from the Boer War.
SS Mongolian Leaving the Clyde (1906)SS Mongolian Leaving the Clyde (1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 4 minsSilent Location: Glasgow
Thousands gather to see off the SS Mongolian on its way to Canada.
Military Tournament at Batley Football Ground (1902)Military Tournament at Batley Football Ground (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 5 minsSilent Location: Batley
A display of strength and skill in a Lancashire military tournament.
Visit of Earl Roberts and Viscount Kitchener to Receive the Freedom of the City, Liverpool (1902)Visit of Earl Roberts and Viscount Kitchener to Receive the Freedom of the City, Liverpool (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 5 minsSilent Location: Liverpool
Two Boer War heroes receive the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.
Scenes in a Manchester Park (c.1901)Scenes in a Manchester Park (c.1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 minsSilent Location: Chorlton-cum-Hardy
An enigmatic Edwardian snapshot recording a ceremonial procession of soldiers and police in the Manchester suburbs.
Lord Methuen's Visit To Bristol (1902)Lord Methuen's Visit To Bristol (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 4 minsSilent Location: Bristol
Crowds gather to welcome Boer War hero Lord Methuen to Edwardian Bristol.
General French at Tranby Croft (1902)General French at Tranby Croft (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 minsSilent Location: Tranby Croft
A Boer war hero visits a magnificent country house, scene of a royal scandal.
Infantry at Pretoria (c.1900)Infantry at Pretoria (c.1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 3 minsSilent
First-hand footage of troops on parade in Boer War era Pretoria.
Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901)Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 9 minsSilent Location: Liverpool
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces recognises war heroes old and new in front of crowds on a wet day in Edwardian Liverpool.