2.4 Empire and Commonwealth troops
At the start of the First World War, many more people than today could claim to be British, because of the British Empire and Commonwealth. Britain’s Empire reached across the globe, including India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean and parts of Africa. Although the inhabitants of these countries were not living in Britain, they still joined the fight for Britain and its allies. The films on this page show troops from across the globe.
FOR BRAVERY AT GALLIPOLI
0 MINS 59 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1915
The New Zealand soldier Corporal Cyril Bassett is congratulated on his Victoria Cross medal (awarded for bravery during the Gallipoli campaign) by his fellow troops. Bassett shakes hands and is raised on the shoulders of some of the troops. Bassett is then seen in a group of New Zealand and British soldiers emerging from the 'Office of the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand' and shaking hands once again.
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CANADIAN 'SCOTTIES' FAREWELL PARADE
0 MINS 51 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1916
This 1916 parade in Montreal, Canada, provides a send-off for Canadian 'Scotties' leaving home for the front line in Europe. The film shows the Canadian Highlanders on parade watched by a substantial crowd.
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THE CAPTORS OF DELVILLE WOOD
0 MINS 46 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1914-1918
South African soldiers recuperate at a hospital in England after the battle of Delville Wood. They play card games and joke around for the benefit of the camera.
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INDIAN TROOPS1 MIN 28 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1914-1918
In their camp, Indian soldiers mend saddles as well as airing and polishing bedsteads. British soldiers can also be seen at the camp.
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TRINIDAD TROOPS0 MIN 44 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1915
Recruits from Trinidad are inspected by the Lord Mayor of London, escorted by British troops, in the English capital during the First World War. Filmed in 1915.
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INDIAN TROOPS IN GREECE1 MIN 8 SECS, SILENT, B/W, 1914-1918
Indian soldiers march through a Greek street behind wagons carrying military supplies that are being pulled by mules.
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GEORGE V REVIEWS INDIAN TROOPS14 MINS 10 SECS, Silent, B/W, 1910-1919
King George V reviews Indian troops in London. We see the soldiers parading under Admiralty Arch to Buckingham Palace, as well as marching past the Cenotaph. Some soldiers hold up banners of the places in which they have served, such as Palestine and France. We then see George V and Queen Mary presenting medals to Indian officers on the steps of Buckingham Palace. After some additional shots of marching troops, the film shows a garden party at the palace with Sikh soldiers and Gurkhas in attendance.