GENERAL BIRDWOOD PRESENTS THE FIFTH ARMY TO THE MAYOR OF LILLE [Main]


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  • Year: 1918
  • Runtime: 12 mins
  • Description: The main square of Lille is crowded with civilians. The men of the division move in marching column through the crowds (filmed from a high window). The leading officer, General Sir William Birdwood, commanding Fifth Army, dismounts and greets the mayor, M Delasalle, with the town council. The group watches from the saluting base as the division starts its marchpast. Watching with Birdwood and Delasalle are Lieutenant-General R C B Haking, commanding XI Corps, Major-General G F Gorringe, commanding 47th Division, and Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for War. Infantry and field guns of the division march past, the London Irish Rifles being led by a pipe band in shorts. A small French girl gives Birdwood a bouquet. Some of the soldiers have flags sticking from their rifle barrels. Birdwood and the mayor say goodbye. Outside the Canteleux Gate Birdwood leaves with his mounted escort. After some delay in assembly the cyclists of the division depart, followed by the rest of the troops. One mounted sergeant appears to be carrying a standard, possibly uncased battalion colours. The crowd watches the men leave.
    The parade of 47th (London) Division through the streets of Lille, Western Front, 28th October 1918.
  • Keywords: EFG1914 / World War I / Birdwood, William Riddell / Delasalle (M) / Lille, Mayor of / Haking, Richard Cyril Byrne / Gorringe, George Frederick / Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer / British Army, Div 47, London Regiment, Bn 1/18 / ceremonies, British - display: parade / ceremonies, French - event-related: liberation (Lille) / celebrations, French - liberation: Lille / society, British military - friendship / society, French - friendship / 01/3(4-15).9 / Lille, Nord, France
  • Provider: Imperial War Museums
  • Rights: In Copyright / Imperial War Museums
  • Production company: Topical Film Company
  • Colour: Black & White
  • Sound: Without sound