| Date |
1939 - 1940 |
| Production |
Geoffrey Price Gowlland; Amy Mary (Peggy) Gowlland |
| Collection |
Gowlland Family |
| Genre/Type |
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| Themes |
Family life; Wartime and Military |
| Summary |
Domestic scenes of everyday life for the Gowlland family in Croydon during the first few months of the Second World War; signs of the war begin to emerge in everyday life. |
| Description |
Filmed during the first few months of the Second World War, the film begins by showing the newly erected signs directing people to air raid shelters around the town. Close-ups of ration books, identity cards and government-issue information cards are shown. Friends and family pose in the garden; Mrs Gowlland poses in a nurse's uniform and a man in a civil defence uniform puts a gas mask on. A parade of civil defence wardens march along the street. Inside the family house Mr Gowlland and his young daughter Rosemary carry blackout boards to cover the windows.
The Gowlland's new born baby, John, is weighed then handed to his sister to hold. Mrs Gowlland and her daughter Rosemary push prams in the garden. Domestic scenes follow, showing the young daughter washing dishes, dusting and playing. "Another White Christmas". Mother and daughter sweep snow from the front garden path, soldiers march past on the street behind them. Scenes of the family's Christmas at home include the family enjoying tea and the children playing with their presents. The last few scenes show the family enjoying a walk (Rosemary points out a sign 'Danger - Unexploded Bombs') and posing together with friends in the garden. There is a final brief shot of a woman looking out of a window at a row of motorcycles. |
| Keywords |
Children; Christmas; Civil Defence; Everyday Life; Family; Interiors; Second World War (1939-1945); Wars |
| Location |
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| Credits |
| Camera |
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| Editor |
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| Participants |
- Amy Mary (Peggy) Gowlland; George Mark (Mark) Gowlland; John Geoffrey Gowlland; John Price Gowlland; Rosemary Gowlland
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| Format |
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| Duration |
11 mins 15 secs |
Viewing copy
location |
Screen Archive South East, University of Brighton |
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This material is protected by copyright. Contact Screen Archive South East for access details. |
