Produced by Puddle Production, a film about World War One and the important contributions made by miners from the Durham and Northumberland coalfields as well as miners from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. Title: This programme is the sole copyright of the Producers Unauthorised Broadcasting, Reproduction, Alteration, or Public Display is forbidden and may result in prosecution. Title: In memory of Rob Dodsworth R.E. (1943 – 2004) Who always wanted to visit Australia – but...

Produced by Puddle Production, a film about World War One and the important contributions made by miners from the Durham and Northumberland coalfields as well as miners from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. Title: This programme is the sole copyright of the Producers Unauthorised Broadcasting, Reproduction, Alteration, or Public Display is forbidden and may result in prosecution. Title: In memory of Rob Dodsworth R.E. (1943 – 2004) Who always wanted to visit Australia – but never made it. Title: Puddle Presents – A Mason/St John Production Title: A Puddle Film by John (Maxie) Mason The film opens with black and white footage of a colliery pit cage returning to the surface followed by close views of pit head winding wheels. Title: Miners at War With the use of coloured animated diagrams, archive film and newspaper cuttings and other archive and museum sources. The film looks at history of the First World War and the role miners had in using their skills to help defeat the enemy. Beginning with geopolitical outline of Europe and Britain a commentary outlines the background that led to the war, including the assassination by Serbia of Arch-Duke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Following the German invasion of France via Belgium and Luxembourg known as the “Schiefflen Plan” there followed a devastating industrialised war. The film shows maps, archive material and film relating to the battle early in the war at Liege in Belgium. Maps show the German advance through Belgium where a battle took place at Mons the first involving the British Expeditionary Force. The film goes on to the surrender of Antwerp and the advance of the Germans towards the coast and a major battle at Ypres. The film goes on to describe the rush at home in Britain to sign up to go and fight, showing newspaper clippings and archive film reports on recruiting stations and men boarding troop trains heading for the battlefront. A specific height and chest size limit was imposed on those wishing to fight. Five feet three inches was the minimum height for a new recruit which led to protests especially from mining communities where fit men, being potential recruits were under the height limit. The film shows General Kitchener watching a parade of recruits in what became known as bantam battalions, made up of recruits who were under the original minimum requirement. The film goes on to show world maps which highlight the empires of Britain and Germany. Newspaper cuttings report on men from the empire countries fighting alongside allies. The film shows photographs of men queuing at recruitment stations in Australia to sign up. The film goes on to show areas where Australia was involved in the conflict including the disastrous fighting in Gallipoli in Turkey. The next section is of a map which appeared after a photograph headed ‘Australians at Rabaul’ earlier in the film. This map which appears again at this point describes the detonation of land mines by the Germans in France near Lille. The commentary states that this the is stage of the war when it moved underground. The film shows old artwork depicting the crusades as the commentary goes on to say that underground warfare was practiced early in military history. In the first world war recruitment of miners was partly for their expertise which would be used in this kind of warfare. The film shows a drawing of the type of work in which the miners would be engaged. Film of miners recruited to go to the war in Europe is accompanied by voices of men having joined the Royal Engineers recollecting the experiences. The film shows miners carrying banners in a parade as the commentary goes on to say that the authorities were wary of issuing miners with live ammunition as they travelled during active service as their militant tendency may prove a problem in making them accept military discipline. Title: At Hordern a mining village in the east Durham Coalfield Title: the Working Men’s Club was wrecked in a riot in 1910 Still photographs show a wrecked building. Newspaper cuttings report on the war. The commentary indicates that the coal industry was in a slump. Collieries were closed as the result of no ships being available for carrying coal. The problem was exacerbated by the stockpiling of coal in 1913 because of overproduction. In summer of 1914 many pits were working on reduced time, with the subsequent loss of wages. Photographs show miners at work underground and doing other associated work where women were also employed. The commentary along with photographs of new recruits from the mining community, states that miners saw that enlisting would be a chance to broaden horizons and send money home. Some coal owners saw it as a way of getting rid of excess workforce staff by encouraging enlisting with a promise to look after families while the men were at war. Title: Europe 1914 Commentary gives a summary of the encroaching unrest and war in Europe. There is also commentary outlining the experience of one miner who was offered the opportunity to go on these tunnelling missions. Photos show young miners posing for the camera and some others show men at work. The miner attracted by the high wages on offer signed up to go. A map shows an area in Belgium known as the Ypres Salient where work started in 1915 on tunnelling at hill 60, the film shows the location as it looks now not far from a railway line, the spoil from building the railway created the hill. Newspaper clips show reports on the fighting at hill 60. Photographs and film show how difficult it was to work in poor conditions, especially when tunnels needed wooden props to make the tunnel safe. Photographs show the continuing wet conditions made life in the trenches and those digging tunnels miserable. Eventually the tunnels were completed at hill 60 and their mines detonated securing possession of the ground for British troops. A view follows of a monument which was erected in 1923. Title: Langemark German Cemetery (Near Ypres) In April 1915 the Germans made their first gas attack on the allies, near Langemark, a map shows its location. This became the second battle of Ypres. A monument shows that 2000 Canadians died in that first attack. No treatment or protection was available. Still photos show men near the field of battle with bandages over their eyes, others lie in hospital. The film with accompanying newspaper clips and photographs outlines the development of the German gas used as a weapon. The development of protection from gas followed as both sides would use this weapon for the duration of the war. Photographs shows soldiers wearing basic facemasks, others wear complete face coverings with eye protection and breathing apparatus. Title: The British “Canister” Gas Mask issued in 1917 was in service for 30 years Film shows soldiers wearing them on a battlefield. The film moves on to some of the Australian Expeditionary Forces return to Australia in 1915. Photographs from newsprint sources shows the soldiers return. With maps and photographs and archive film it shows how Australian troops would be sent to Gallipoli to confront the Turkish lines there. The Australians met with heavy resistance in terrain which gave the Turks the advantage and allied casualties were high. Photographs and clips from newspapers suggested that all was going well at Gallipoli but the opposite was happening, and the campaign was a disaster. Poor sanitation and the presence of sickness amongst the troops also led to the high loss of life. Photographs show wounded and sick soldiers being transferred to military hospitals by ship, however many died on the journey and were buried at sea. Photographs and news clips show the subsequent evacuation of troops from the area. Title: Tunnel Map of the Western Front (Ypres Region) The map shows the location of Hooge chateau. Recent film shows what is now a traffic island but was the location of Hell Fire Corner a significant battle area in 1915. The mine being tunnelled there was to dislodge the enemy for good. Photographs shows a trench lined with sandbags. Title: At Hooge the Front Lines were within 50 metres. Title: R. E. “Vector” Plans of Tunnel Systems. The commentary outlines the complications in ensuring the efficacy of the tunnels when it finally came to blowing the mines up. The film shows the Hooge Chateau today. Title: Hooge Chateau Today (This water feature is probably not the original crater?) Notices give information on the differences between Ammonol a drug and Ammonal a high explosive. This request for a little used explosive and the similarity of the names of two quite different products led to Ammonol being mistaken as a drug, this led to some confusion. However after overcoming the confusion the operation to blow up the mine tunnels at Hooge was successful. However Hooge would be fought over again Title: Australian Sapper/ Miners at Hooge Crater. The commentary states that the first Australian Tunnelling company began work at Hooge in 1916. Most of the men were coal miners from Australia’s Hunter Valley region. A photograph shows soldiers walking on the rim of a crater. Title: Australian Troops at Hooge Crater – Regarded as one of the greatest war pictures ever. The film shows a map of the coastal town of Newcastle in Australia. The map highlights a location in red called ‘Kurri Kurri’. The site of Sir Edgeworth David Memorial Museum. On screen information is displayed in a ticker-tape fashion across the screen. Title: Professor TW Edgeworth David of Sydney University is commemorated in this small museum housed in the former Pokolbin schoolhouse in Kurri Kurri, which lies in the centre of the “Greta” coal seam which he surveyed in the late 19th century. This led to the large-scale development of coal mining in the Hunter Valley. He was an intrepid explorer accompanying Shackleton and Mawson in their Antarctic explorations. The film shows the interior of the museum which shows framed printed material, with posters and notices on the walls related to local mining. Professor Edgeworth David set up the Australian Mining Corps and served with them. 1600 miners from across Australia volunteered to serve in the corps mainly seeing service in France and Belgium. They weren’t all from coal mines some were from precious stone, gold and copper mines. A miner works alone by candle light using a special hammer to chip away at a rock face in order to find opal. The film shows the front page of the Sydney Mail from 1915 encouraging men to enlist. Inducements such as a relatively high wage and a pension for the family encouraged men to join the corps. The film shows men still in civilian clothes marching, presumably new recruits. Followed by a parade of new recruits passing a senior officer as he looks on. The film also shows combat training , the new recruits to the corps would leave for France in 1916. A map shows the British sector in the Western Front, a view of marching Australian soldiers is superimposed on this image. Title: 1st Australian Tunnelling Company The film shows a photograph of men belonging to the corps at the front. Title: 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company Men relax at a roadside. Title: 3rd Australian Tunnelling Company Across a wide-open area a photograph shows a few soldiers, but none seem to be in action. The film then shows the tunnel map moving further south to the area around Vimy ridge. A view follows of a modern memorial to commemorate those who fell in battle. The tunnelling map shows the location of Arras where the New Zealand mining company moved in 1916. They found appalling working conditions, but they were soon tunnelling through the chalk at quite a rapid rate. The film shows a modern photograph of the chalk tunnels. An animated diagram shows the main purpose of the tunnels. It shows a long fuse which leads to stacks of high explosive at the end of the tunnel which are located under enemy trenches. A series of mine explosions were successful at Arras. More modern views follow of chalk tunnels. The New Zealanders next project was to enlarge and connect a series of caves in the chalk outside Arras. The underground caverns were a natural phenomenon and modern photographs show buildings constructed and built into the chalk at Naours. These underground galleries were used over the centuries as refuge by locals. They also gave a safe haven to 20,000 men and a safe underground route to the front, vital for moving equipment. Title: North Island of New Zealand The commentary explains that the men in New Zealand mining companies on the western front came mainly from coal mining and precious metal companies at home. A plaque commemorates a gold mining company at Waihi in New Zealand. Those who worked for this company and served in the Great War are commemorated in the towns war memorial. A view follows showing a dedication on one stone, while the names of those who perished during the war are listed on another stone. The film moves to a local heritage centre named ‘Golden Legacy Centre’ based at the Martha Mine at Waihi. It commemorates the founders of gold mining communities. The film goes to a huge quarry or open cast mine where mechanical diggers are at work. The film goes back to a map of the western front as the commentary describes the bloody battles that were fought there during 1916. The Somme is highlighted on the map. On the 1st of July the 19 mines cut under German lines were fired, this started the great battle. The film shows a current view of the Lochnagar crater, which is now a memorial. Followed of archive film of a huge explosion, the crater left afterwards was 21 metres deep and 100 metres wide. A black and white aerial photograph shows the location of crater. Another black and white photograph follows on showing three men standing in a large crater. Title: Northumberland Fusiliers sheltering from shellfire in the Lochnagar crater 2nd July 1916. The film shows a brief current view of a special service being held on the rim of the crater. There follows archive film of guns being fired at the height of battle. The commentary details the outcome of the initial onslaught against the German army was not as effective as originally planned. The film shows German soldiers marching along a road. The Germans had manged to protect themselves from the worst of the bombardment. Machine guns from German trenches massacred advancing British infantrymen. Title: Scottish National War Memorial The film shows an elaborate stained glass window as part of the memorial. Title: “Mechanised Warfare” Window (by Douglas Straughan) The film shows a photograph of American-born British inventor Hiram Maxim best known as the creator of the first automatic machine gun. This gun was the basis of the automatic machine guns used in the first world war to devastating effect. General views show memorials on the Somme battlefield, and maps of the locality showing the battlefront. The commentary gives some background to the relatively inexperienced British recruits who now found themselves in one of most ferocious battles in military history. The films shows a wreath being laid at a memorial in remembrance of Durham miners. Title: A wreath laid at Thiepval in remembrance of fallen comrades of the Durham Miners. A list of names of those who died from the Durham Light Infantry is set in stone at the Thiepval memorial. The commentary talks of the severe losses experienced by small communities at home. At a memorial service a wreath is laid at Easington Lane war memorial. The film shows stills of the names of casualties listed on the memorial. Title: East Face Memorial Plaques – 1914-18 – A – L The Elemore Colliery Lodge banner carries a picture of the town’s war memorial. Other colliery banners also carry memorial pictures, such as Murton colliery. The film shows newspaper clips about the war’s progress, and the increasing number of wounded that were coming back by train only to be faced with medical shortages. Photographs show crowded hospital wards. The film shows a grave registration document of a north-east soldier buried in France. A photograph shows the soldier in uniform. Title: Pte A.M. Jobey 2nd Yorks, from Easington Lane Durham, worked as a miner at the Elemore Colliery. The film goes back to a map showing the location of Thiepval memorial near Amiens. This shows the Ulster tower near Thiepval wood, this stands on the site of the German front line attacked by the 9th Irish rifles on the 1st of July 1916. A memorial plaque at the gate to the tower remembers the 36th Ulster Division and other soldiers from Ulster who fought in the war. The commentary states that many of the men who enlisted in Irish regiments were miners of Irish descent. The film moves on to another memorial watched over by a statue of a caribou, emblem of the Newfoundland regiment. This memorial is at Beaumont – Hamel not far from Thiepval. A plaque set on a stone shows the memorial relates to the 29th division where over 5000 men were lost on the first day of fighting at the Somme. The film goes to Pozières which was the centre of the Somme front line. Pipers play as traffic is stopped to allow them to parade down a street. Title: Pozières 1914 The commentary describes the village at the beginning of the war. The marching pipers are superimposed onto the old village photograph. They carry the Australian flag commemorating the 23000 casualties, half of their fighting strength but they captured this position finally, at great cost. Title: Pozières 1918 This photograph shows three soldiers walking over rubble, all that is left of the village. The film then goes to the Thistle Dump cemetery originally a first aid station. Here are buried some of New Zealand’s Māori (Māori (Maori) ) battalions. A static black and white indistinct photograph shows Māori (Maori) men in traditional costume. While film shows the names on some the grave headstones. The commentary tells of the Māori (Maori) battalion’s contribution to the war, and their familiarity with trench warfare. The story refers to a Māori (Maori) war in the 19th century where a Māori (Maori) fort complete with trenches and underground tunnels withstood British advances. The film returns to another war cemetery in Europe, the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, has graves and memorials to the fallen from New Zealand. The cemetery also graves of over 5000 men from four commonwealth nations. The film shows headstones of the soldiers buried there. Across the valley from the cemetery is an obelisk shaped memorial for those casualties from New Zealand. Which also commemorates their involvement in the first battle of the Somme in 1916. The next cemetery the film explores is Delville Wood where South African forces who perished in the war are buried. The film shows several people heading towards the cemetery. Black and white photographs show the South African brigade in 1916 at a railway station. 3150 men were attached to the 9th Scottish division on the Somme. There was heavy hand to hand fighting at Delville Wood where the South Africans lost over 700 men. The film shows photos of the soldiers walking along part of the battlefield, and a first aid station. The film shows the current state of the woodland, another photo shows wartime shell holes and shattered tree stumps. The film shows a plaque commemorating the South African Scottish battalion at the Scottish War memorial in Edinburgh Castle. A large bronze relief panel shows war weary soldiers entering the wood, won at great cost. Photographs follow of the soldiers resting in large trench. Miners from South Africa were also involved with tunnelling companies during the war. An inscription which is read as the film shows the interior of the South African memorial, outlines why they were involved in the first world war and subsequent conflicts. An animated map shows the location of the village of Fromelles, not far from the Belgian border. The film splits into three images, one showing the map, a marching pipe band, and marching soldiers in archive film from the war. Australian troops suffered heavy losses at Fromelles in their first battle at the front. The current pipe band of the United Mineworkers Federation of Australia visited VC corner at the Australian Cemetery at Fromelles to honour their countrymen who died in battle, many were miners from the Hunter Valley region. This ceremony was filmed in 2001 as an Australian brigadier welcomes those who have come. Title: Brigadier-General Kevin O’Brien A.A.F. The brigadier describes the field of battle which took so many British and Australian lives. A wreath is laid at the memorial with a note from the United Mineworkers Federation attached to it. While the commentary outlines the blundering mistakes by senior officers which led to the carnage. Defensive mining also took place at the Fromelle battlefield. The commentator asks a local archaeologist Marciel Dalabar and his team about the research they are doing. He describes the items he has been finding as important as they are part of the area’s history. At the site the film shows concrete steps going down into the earth. The film shows the names of soldiers and their regiment incised into some of the rock or clay lining a trench or shelter. Visitors browse over the displays, in a dedicated museum which include weapons, gas masks and binoculars. Title: Fromelles WW1 & 2 Relics Museum (Located in the rear of the Mairie (Town Hall) On camera Marciel says they have excavated some of areas behind the German lines. They have also uncovered a large underground barracks which held around 6000 men. Marciel is asked how long it took for men to make the underground barracks, he replies around four months. A still photo shows a mine entrance in winter months. The commentary says that mine work didn’t stop over winter. A map shows mining operations on the Western front in 1917. Title: Black Areas Denote Allied Mining Operations on Western Front. Moving North towards Ypres where men still created tunnels under the enemy lines. Title: Australian, British, Canadian & New Zealand Mining Companies Title: French Mining Companies also operated in their sectors of the front. The commentary goes on to say as the film moves in towards the map and the area around the Messines Ridge, that in 1916 a plan was proposed to undermine the Messine Ridge. This high ground in enemy hands overlooked allied lines around Ypres. The commentary goes on to say over a view of the area as it looks today, that within three months of mining starting it was clear that mine rescue service was also required. Too many men were being lost to gas in the tunnels and shafts. Many would also be hospitalised or require treatment at the shaft head. Black and white photographs show those in hospital and one receiving treatment at a tunnel site. Canaries were taken underground as a test for gas. The film shows a memorial to the canaries and white mice. The memorial describes them as the tunnellers friends, and is in the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. The film goes to show a photograph of Arthur B Clifford followed by an individual wearing special breathing apparatus. Arthur Clifford was sent to the Western front to train men in the use of the “Proto” rescue apparatus. An advertisement show a man wearing the apparatus with a front and back view. A diagram follows showing how the apparatus is made up. A black and white photograph shows a group of soldiers showing some wearing the breathing apparatus. Arthur Clifford was to train 3000 men in a month, with only 36 sets of equipment, all that was available countrywide. Title: Monmouthshire Mines Rescue Brigade appeared in the “Cardiff Times” prior to their departure for the front. An old photograph shows the rescue brigade holding breathing apparatus and standing next to a van which appears to carry other rescue equipment. The commentary says that eventually two rescue training stations were set up. Arthur B Clifford was awarded the meritorious service medal in 1917. Archive film shows lorries travelling along a road on which several soldiers sit on the roof. The commentary says that by late 1916 Canadian and Australian tunnelling companies were working alongside the British in the Messine area. The Australians took over the mining and tunnelling at Hill 60 near Ypres, part of the main offensive on the Messine ridge. Like many other companies raised in communities some men had enlisted in groups of friends or even family members. A board showing portrait photographs of soldiers and headed “They Gave Their Lives for King and Country” is a memorial to those miners who lost their lives. Title: Australian Mineworkers Wall of Remembrance – (UMFA HQ Cessnock N.S.W.) Brass plaques list the names of those who lost their lives, and the colliery where they had worked. A view follows of a grave of an Australian tunneller who was killed in 1917. The film also shows the monument to Australian tunnellers on what was Hill 60. The film shows the pipe band of the United Mineworkers Federation of Australia, the commentary states that the pipe band went to Hill 60 in 2001, to commemorate war casualties. The film shows the ceremony which took place. A diagram shows the extent of the mining which was to be used to demolish enemy positions on the Messine ridge. Another diagram shows the Hill 60 tunnel system. A view follows of specialised mining machinery which would be used for the first and only time in tunnel mining during the conflict. It ultimately failed as the machine kept getting stuck in the sticky clay. Some old newsprint photos show how the machines were used in tunnel digging at the Western Front. The machines were abandoned and remain buried. The commentary talks of the winter of 1916 being particularly severe. A local North East paper shows a letter outlining an appeal for warm winter clothing and blankets for those fighting at the front. Other newspaper notices show prices for clothing items that could be sent to relatives and friends at the front. Title: Bantams The film reports on the bantam battalions which were disbanded in the winter of 1916. Photographs show some individual bantam soldiers with taller men. A copy of a piece of music titled ‘War Song for the Bantams’ A solo voice sings the song. A section of archive film showing members of the bantam battalion marching is shown at the centre of the image of the music. Few of the original intake were left and recruiting more was becoming a problem. An example regiment insignia shows some recruits came from the commonwealth, in this case Canada. Title: 1916 – 17 Tunnels A map shows the area of the next big offensive at Messine in 1916. 22 mines were dug along the ridge from Hill 60 to Ploegsteert Wood. Spoil from the works had to be dumped well behind the lines so as the piles of clay would not alert the enemy. The commentary continues alongside archive film showing horses and carts driven by soldiers travelling through a war-torn village. The work was hard and at the end of a shift a miner was given a rum ration. An officer had to see it was consumed immediately as recipients were not allowed to hoard the rations. On the soundtrack a report of the consequence of hoarding rum rations is read out over still photos showing a pile of empty flagons being inspected by officers and other film clips. In this case the man wasn’t punished for hoarding as he was a hard worker and the work involved a closer relationship between the miners and officers. The commentary goes on to describe how the tunnellers had to be careful not to be discovered. At Hill 60 the Australian regiments were still in charge. The first tunneller to be decorated was Captain Oliver Woodward, he was given the job of firing the mines. Title: Woodward being decorated by Prince of Wales in 1920. A photo shows an older Captain Woodward revisiting a remaining tunnel. Some recollections are recorded on the soundtrack. A map shows the tunnels and location of the mines. The commentary talks of the evening before the attack when General Plummer in overall charge of the operation observed that on the following day that although they may not make history, they will certainly change the geography. An animated diagram demonstrates the destructive power of the mines, archive film shows multiple explosions. The 7th of June 1917 saw the destruction of enemy lines on the Messine ridge. The simultaneous explosions meant the sound carried for hundreds of miles and was heard in London and Dublin. The infantry was able to secure the ridge within three hours. Archive film shows allied soldiers marshalling captured German troops. The commentary states the offensive was a success but it would be the last time mining works such as this would be used during the war. The film cuts to a current view of one the craters on the ridge which is now a full of water surrounded by trees. It is now a war memorial and a stone plaque tells the story of the offensive at the Messine Ridge. The commentary says that two mines were not exploded on the 7th June and their locations were mislaid by the British. One was detonated by a thunderstorm in 1955, a cow being the only casualty, the other remains underground in the Belgian countryside. The weather during the summer was hot and dry and archive film shows soldiers washing themselves and their clothes. They frequented local improvised bars or estaminet. The film shows a modern bar called ‘In De Leene – Estaminet’ which may have been trading at the time of the war. A black and white photograph shows a gathering of soldiers and perhaps the owners of the bar sitting around what might be a stove. Six weeks past before the second phase of the offensive took place. A map shows the coast and the front line in green, along with place names. Archive film shows an early tracked combat vehicle probably a tank and general views follow of soldiers preparing for the offensive. The film shows a current view of Nieuport on the coast. The commentary states that it was heavily bombed during the conflict that tunnels had to be dug to allow troops to get to the front line. The film shows a current view of a house in the town being supported by steel frames due to subsidence caused by wartime tunnelling. A small building in another part of the town shows a large crack on one wall. A map shows the location of what was the third battle of Ypres but known as Passchendaele. The commentary outlines the course of the battle which started on 31st of July 1917. A heavy gun barrage towards enemy lines preceded the battle. Archive film shows gun emplacements. An aerial photograph shows the pock marked ground and absence of vegetation. The Germans retaliated by firing mustard gas into the allied lines. Archive film shows row upon row in a field waiting for the call to battle. This may be the 5th army assembled and ready to go into battle on the 31st of July, however one in six had already become a casualty following the mustard gas attack. At the beginning of the August excessive rain turned the battlefields into liquid mud, and horses and men would perish in the adverse conditions. The high-water table meant it was impossible to build trenches or dugouts. Photos show abject conditions and pools of water scattered amongst churned up mud. Stepping off duckboards could be fatal, many wounded men died in the mud. A photograph shows two wounded men sharing a cigarette. Title: A wounded Canadian & a German, share a “fag” while awaiting evacuation. Stretcher bearers could take hours to get a wounded man off the battlefield as photograph shows. Māori (Maori) s because of their physical strength could carry the wounded, rather like carrying a child. The commentary accompanying archive film showing a wounded soldier being given assistance, states that many miners joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). Most had joined the St John Ambulance brigade before the war and were used to dealing with serious injury. Title: Australian I.F. Underground dressing station Passchendaele (dug by mining company) A photograph shows men having wounds dressed. A view of Passchendaele cemetery, as the commentary outlines the end of the battle on the 6 November 1917. The film then goes to the Tyne Cot cemetery near Ypres and is the largest British war cemetery in the world, with almost 12000 burials, with over 75% unidentified. Nearly 35000 men have their names engraved on a large wall but none have a known grave. The film then goes to modern Cambrai in France, which is contrasted by a still photograph taken of utter devastation of the same place in 1919. The battle that took place there in 1917 was the first use of armoured tanks on a large scale in the war. Archive film shows these armoured vehicles in action looking very different from the modern tank. The film shows a memorial to the Tank Corps and lists all the major tank battles. Title: Tank Corps Memorial near Pozieres Still photos of the memorial show a range of tank models at its base, showing changes in tank design during the conflict. The film shows some of the streets in Cambrai, where older buildings which survived the battle bear scars. The film shows the interior of the tourist information centre. Cambrai was a mining town and a display cabinet shows posters and items on display connected with the industry. The film goes to a newspaper clip, with a report that the Americans will be sending more troops to France. Archive film shows clips of these new battles as the commentary states that Russia under its new regime, freed many German prisoners. The allies managed to stop the tide coming from the East, this convinced General Ludendorff that the Germans could not win the war. Photographs show the Kaiser getting into a car as the commentary explains that the Germans were now seeking an armistice while the Kaiser went into exile in Holland. Archive film shows marching allied troops and cheering troops as the war is set to end on the 11th of November 1918. The film shows a grave of a Canadian soldier thought to be the last person killed before the armistice was declared. The film superimposes the headstone of the first soldier to be killed in 1914. At the Menin Gate the film shows the last post ceremony being carried out by three buglers. The commentary continues with the film showing row upon row of the names of those who perished. Title: WW1 Armies Size & Casualties Countries: Russia France British Empire Italy USA Total – Mobilised 12 M 8.41 M 8.905 M 5.62 M 4.355 M Killed & Died 1.7 M 1.358 M 908.4 K 650 K 126 K Wounded 4.95 M 4.266 M 2.092 M 947 K 235 K Prisoner/Missing 2.5 M 537 K 192 K 600 K 4.5 K Total Casualties 9.15 M 6.16 M 3.193 M 2.197 M 365 K Countries: Serbia Belgium Total – Mobilised 708 K 267 K Killed & Died 134 K 13.7 K Wounded 134K 44.7 K Prisoner/Missing 153 K 34.7 K Total Casualties 332 K 93.1 K Title: WW1 Armies Size & Casualties – The Central Powers Countries: Germany Austria-Hungary Turkey Total – Mobilised 11 M 7.8 M 2.85 M Killed & Died 1.774 M 1.2 M 325 K Wounded 4.217 M 3.620 M 400 K Prisoner/Missing 1.153 M 2.2 M 250 K Total Casualties 7.143 M 7.02 M 975 K The buglers finish the ceremony which ends the film. Credits: A Puddle Production with the help of:- Australian War Memorial (Canberra) Royal Engineers Library (Chatham) Trustees of the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Archive Durham County Record Office Tyne Wear Museums Service National Railway Museum (York) National Museums & Galleries (Merseyside) Newcastle Museum (N.S.W. Australia) University of Kansas Mines Rescue Service (Houghton-le-Spring) United Mineworkers Federation of Australia Commonwealth War Graves Commission Trustees of the Scottish National War Memorial Royal Scots Regimental Museum Sanctuary Wood Museum (Belgium) Cardiff City Library Edinburgh City Library Durham Clayport Library Morpeth County Library Newcastle upon Tyne Central Library Sunderland City Library The Last Post Committee (Belgium) Credits: Puddle Productions would like to thank Bob Moody Philip Clifford Ross J. Thomas Brig Gen K.O Brien Lt Col I. Shepherd Lt Col R.P. Mason Geoff Pratt Alan Evans Rob Dodsworth Leslie Simpson Ian Pope Chris Manning Martial Delabarre & the people of Fromelles. All those people who gave their time and shared their memories to help us with this production. Credit: narration Hilary St John Credit: editor John Mason Credit: computer graphics and animation George Whitfield Credits: Music ‘Workers at War’ – Written and Performed by John Wrightson ‘Lark in the Morning’ & ‘Port’a’ Pu’cal’ performed by Davy Spillane & Kevin Glackin ‘Song of the Bantams’ performed by Andy Smith ‘Join Together’ performed by The WHO ‘Akiri Hana’ performed by Willy Honer Brass Band Music performed by: Brighouse & Rastrick Band Broughrons NUM Band Easington Colliery Band Grimethorpe Colliery Band Fishburn Band Houghton Brass Ferryhill Town Band Credits: Produced, Written & Researched by Hilary St John and John Mason. Director: John (Maxie) Mason There follows soundtrack material available from Puddle Productions and information to connect to the website. Credit: A Puddle Production Credit: Puddle Productions Copyright MMV Clips of Puddle production ‘Brass and Banners’ appear on the remainder of the tape.