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Drumhead Service

A London concert singer attends a military religious service to bless two new ambulance held in a London park.

Non-Fiction 1917 Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for London's Screen Archives

Overview

A drumhead service is a traditional military religious service held in the field, using drums as a makeshift altar. This service took place on the home front, Downhills Park in Haringey, and features Winnie Melville, a popular London concert singer. Holding a bouquet, she presents two new ambulances to the Middlesex Volunteer Transport Corps. Soldiers then watch as the vehicles are blessed by a local vicar.