|
'Sons of the Empire' is one of a number of Topical Budget items released in
the early part of the war showing troops from the Empire territories coming to
the aid of the 'mother country'. Later items feature soldiers from India and
Trinidad.
A major recruitment effort across Canada saw more than 600,000 men and women
signed up as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, not just as soldiers but
as nurses and in other auxiliary roles.
Trucks pass by the camera, piled high with kitbags and trunks, with the
Canadian troops perched on top. Men are shown washing and cleaning teeth, while
a smiling soldier writes a letter back home. The grins serve to emphasise the
soldiers' uniform enthusiasm for the cause.
The final shot shows soldiers holding a Union Jack,
with flags from the Empire stitched (slightly crudely) around the edge. The Union Jack is a very
common sight in the newsreels of this period: yet more feelgood propaganda for
the cinema audience.
Jan Faull
| 
Complete film (0:59)
