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Alderman Riley Chairman Would Like A Word With You

1939 , Norwich (Norfolk)

Cat no. 299

A recruitment film for the Air Raid Precautions (ARP).

Alderman Riley, Chairman of the ARP Committee, speaks directly to the camera, whilst sitting at his desk. He talks of how 'our ancestors' have fought to protect themselves over the centuries and of how many of the civic buildings of Norwich are a testimony to their 'heroic self defence.' The film cuts away to an aerial shot of Norwich Castle. As Alderman Riley speaks of the dangers posed by Norwich's geographical position, and the lessons to be learned from the experiences of civilians in Spain and China, there are scenes of a display of firefighting and of men dealing with casualties. Wearing gas masks, they are shown lifting stretchers into a Norwich Red Cross ambulance. There are also scenes of a shelter under construction. This is mixed with everyday Norwich scenes. Workers leave Caley Mackintosh's factory and there is a view along Earlham Road towards the Cathedral of St John the Baptist. In this scene there is a solitary car driving along the road. Whilst Alderman Riley talks of the needs for men and women to volunteer, policemen leave the Bethel Street police station and there is another display of firefighting at the fire station next door. The film shows the Guildhall and the City Hall before Alderman Riley impersonates Kitchener, pointing to the camera saying, 'Will you Help?'The film finishes with instructions of how to 'sign up'.

Featured Buildings

Bethel Street Police Station; Bethel Street Fire Station; Caley Mackintosh's Factory; City Hall ; The Guildhall ; Norwich Castle ; The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. John The Baptist

Keywords

Air Raid Precautions (ARP); Civil defence; Fire-fighting; Volunteers; World War II

Intertitles

Thank You. Volunteers are still urgently needed in all areas of Air Raid Precautions. Application forms are available from the foyer as you leave.

Background Information

Walter Alfred Riley was a director of Morgan's Brewery from 1926. He wrote a standard textbook on brewing. He became a member of the Council in 1923, becoming a Alderman in 1937, a magistrate in 1940 and leader of the Council from 1939. At the outbreak of war he served as Chairman of the Air Raid Precautions Committee. As Chairman of the Sewerage Committee, he was instrumental in the re-organisation of the Whittlingham Plant. He died in 1948. (See: P.T.R. Palgrave-Moore, The Mayors and Lord Mayors of Norwich 1836 - 1974. C. Elvery Dowers Publication, Norwich, 1978.)

Manifestations

Alderman Riley Chairman Would Like A Word With You

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