National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Home Guard (Melingriffith)
Melingriffith Tinplate Works Home Guard is seen here parading on 23/2/1941, and training e.g. practising using grenades and bayonets, and standing down in December 1944.
From the collection of:
Overview
Joseph Shirley Gazard, manager of the Richard Thomas & Co Ltd's Melingriffith Tinplate Works, Whitchurch, Cardiff, is seen here with the No. 9 Works Company (Melingriffith) of the 21st Glamorganshire Battalion of the Home Guard. He films them parading, training in the use of grenades and bayonets, marching, scaling walls and operating by stealth, and he films them at ‘Stand Down’ in December 1944, when the Home Guard was wound up, its purpose served.
Related
Home Front and Home Guard - Wartime Woking Home Front and Home Guard - Wartime Woking
Amateur film 1938 10 mins Silent Location: Woking
Woking gears up for war in this remarkable film about the Home Guard and its contribution to the town.
Sea Fort Sea Fort
Documentary 1940 7 mins
Surrounded by water and manned to defend the coastline, sea forts were remote outposts of Britain’s home front.
Ack-ack Ack-ack
Documentary 1941 9 mins
‘ACK ACK’ is a profile of the soldiers who manned anti-aircraft positions on the home front during the Second World War.
Citizen's Army Citizen's Army
Documentary 1941 10 mins Location: London
Ordinary men from all trades and professions lead double lives to hone their soldiering skills in Britain during the Second World War.
Civilians in Uniform Civilians in Uniform
Amateur film 1946 21 mins Location: Leatherhead
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.
Clandon Home Guard - drills and stand down Clandon Home Guard - drills and stand down
Amateur film 1942 12 mins Silent Location: Clandon Park
Dad's Army, Clandon-style, are at it again in this fascinating film about life in Surrey's Home Guard.
Peterston-Super-Ely July 26th Peterston-Super-Ely July 26th
Amateur film 1946 17 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
August shows in south Wales (Peterston-super-Ely, Pontypridd, Rumney, Aberdare and Whitchurch): horses, drays and the hammer and sickle.
Shows: Felinfoel, Llandeilo, Whitchurch Shows: Felinfoel, Llandeilo, Whitchurch
Amateur film 1948 13 mins Silent Location: Llandeilo
Felinfoel kicks off the August shows with 1½ inches of rain and is a wash-out! But Llandeilo and Whitchurch fare better.
Americans Americans
Home movie 1942 2 mins Silent Location: Heath
John' and 'Johnny', two American GIs billeted in with the Iles family in Heathwood Road, Cardiff, enjoy a bit of fun with their new friends and neighbours.
Branksome', Heathwood Road, Cardiff Branksome', Heathwood Road, Cardiff
Home movie 1940 10 mins Silent Location: Heath
It's war-time and the garden, where the Iles sisters continue to play, houses an air raid shelter beneath the rockery, and Dad is a Civil Defence Warden.
"V.E." Celebrations "V.E." Celebrations
Amateur film 1945 11 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
The war is over at last and Victory in Europe Day is celebrated on 8/5/1945 at the Iles home in Heathwood Road, Cardiff, and with parties in Heathway and Albert Street.
The Port of Cardiff 2 The Port of Cardiff 2
Promotional 1943 25 mins Silent Location: Whitchurch
Meat and wheat, oranges and eggs (dried), salmon and peaches (tinned) arrive in Cardiff from Brazil, America, Canada and New Zealand to keep war-time’s wolf from the allied door.
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.
Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 29 mins
Vicky Knight sits down with Rowan Woods for an extended discussion on the making of the film Silver Haze. *Contains Spoilers*
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.
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.
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.