This short amateur film documents the 1934 Northern Command Tattoo at Ravensworth Castle, Lamesley, Gateshead, in aid of civil and military charities and welfare. The events took place between 7th and 14th July with a night performance on 10th July, and featured around 3,000 troops, with military bands, staged combat scenes from history, and displays of pageantry and horsemanship, motorcycle stunts and a mock fire drill. This film was a Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers...

This short amateur film documents the 1934 Northern Command Tattoo at Ravensworth Castle, Lamesley, Gateshead, in aid of civil and military charities and welfare. The events took place between 7th and 14th July with a night performance on 10th July, and featured around 3,000 troops, with military bands, staged combat scenes from history, and displays of pageantry and horsemanship, motorcycle stunts and a mock fire drill. This film was a Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA) production. Massed bands advance across the castle grounds led by drum majors and drummers. Title: Mounted Display by the Royal Corps of Signals Soldiers of the Royal Corps of Signals ride across the arena on Triumph motorcycles, pulled by horses. The soldiers then perform motorcycle stunts, leaping from a ramp over an officer in white uniform laying together with a small regiment pony mascot. Title: Physical Training Display A searchlight display at night involves massed soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry performing choreographed physical exercises in the grounds of Ravensworth Castle. The display includes human pyramids. Title: A Military Fire Alarm Soldiers take part in a mock fire drill, smoke dramatically rising from Ravensworth Castle battlements. They pull fire equipment to the castle and form a chain of men to deliver pails of water to the fire. Fire engines arrive and a ladder is wheeled to the castle walls. Title: Display by Massed Pipe Bands Men of Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders march forward led by drummers and pipers in a night time display. Highlanders in kilts perform traditional Scottish dance. The massed bands march past camera. Title: The Defence of Rorke’s Drift There are various shots (some rather distant) of the re-enactment of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift with soldiers in old military costume, which took place in the Zulu War of 1879. Title: Massed Bands and Drums The massed brass bands and drummers of the Northern Command march past camera in formation. Title: The Trooping of the Colour A battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders give a display of the traditional Trooping of the Colour, a ceremony full of military pomp. Title: “1812” The re-enactment of another battle takes place at night, possibly the Battle of Salamanca fought under the Duke of Wellington. Title: The Reception of the Duke of Wellington at Ravensworth Castle, 1827 A performance in costume commemorates the visit to the castle of the Duke of Wellington (and also Sir Walter Scott), entertained by Lord and Lady Ravensworth (of the coal-owning Liddell family) in October 1827. Mounted soldiers in old military uniforms carrying torches precede the arrival of guests in a carriage, welcomed by two women in long satin gowns. Title: The End