This is one of a series of films made of the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment at their annual training camps in the late 1930s.  This is the first of two films of the Regiment at a training camp at Wathgill, near Catterick, showing their arrival, various exercises and games. The film begins with a train stood at Leyburn Station and the platform packed with soldiers. Intertitle – Tea being served in the Market Square Leyburn, prior to march to camp. The troops, led by a military...

This is one of a series of films made of the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment at their annual training camps in the late 1930s.  This is the first of two films of the Regiment at a training camp at Wathgill, near Catterick, showing their arrival, various exercises and games. The film begins with a train stood at Leyburn Station and the platform packed with soldiers. Intertitle – Tea being served in the Market Square Leyburn, prior to march to camp. The troops, led by a military band, march through Leyburn town centre. Whilst at ease, the troops stand in a line.  Each of the troops holds out a billy can and receives half a ladle of soup or tea.  They then continue on their march. Intertitle – Battalion Parade Out in a field, the battalion and the military band stand to attention in parade formation. Intertitle – A Fire Alarm The troops hurriedly come out of their tents and gather in formation in the centre of the campsite, while a group of them run in single file. Intertitle – Regimental Signallers at Training Groups of soldiers are flashing torch messages in Morse Code.  This is followed by soldiers practising hand signals with white striped and black flags. Intertitle – Support Company (machine gun) at training Groups of soldiers, some in white overalls, speedily set up machine gun posts.  They then dismantle the machine guns and do the procedure again.  A senior officer gives them a lecture, and then the sergeant gives them instructions. Intertitle – A peep inside Battalion Orderly Room. In a large tent, a soldier sits at a desk with a man and various pieces of paper.  They are watched by a sergeant. Intertitle – Guard mounting parade. The men stand in a large circle in the campsite, watching as drill is being practiced in the centre (Colour – magenta fade).  The Military band parades. Intertitle – Retreat Beating The band continues marching and then stops to ‘beat a retreat’, with the rest of the battalion looking on. Intertitle – Mackintosh Cup Competition (Lewis Gun) The troops are milling about, with some officers in the foreground.  (B&W) A group of soldiers practise setting up a machine gun whilst lying on the ground. They pick up the machine gun, run a few yards, drop to the ground, and practise firing.  The soldiers take a rest. Intertitle – Pushball Match “A” Coy. versus “B” Coy. Two sets of teams push a large inflatable ball with ‘Daily Mail’ written on it.  They push the ball in opposite directions, and after which, they flop down in exhaustion. Intertitle – Brigade Exercise.  Ras Irish’s Commando’s prepare to defend their country. A group of soldiers have gathered.  They are wearing hats with white headbands, and one of the officers holds up his umbrella to the camera.  They line up in the campsite. One of the soldiers arrives with one of the hats on the top of a flag pole, and the rest bow in mock adoration.  They then give three cheers. Intertitle – The Battle Ground A stretch of empty moorland is shown. Intertitle – Ras Irish’s Headquarters A soldier picks up a crossbow lying on a shallow grave marked by a wooden cross.  A group of soldiers huddle behind a dry stone wall and inspect a map. Intertitle – Machine guns engage the attacking troops Laying in a field of long group a group of soldiers fire a machine gun, and the film comes to an end.