Description
Object description
Unedited coverage of HMS Cornwall in Sierra Leone (and Guinea), there as part of the West African Patrol and to assist forces loyal to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, who had been ousted after a coup by Major Johnny Paul Koromah. (Kabbah was reinstated in March 1998 after the junta was ousted by Nigerian-led ECOMOG forces.)
Full description
(Tape 1) (i) Sea King helicopter lands on the deck of HMS Cornwall and casualties (local people) are stretchered off. (ii) Scenes at the Tower Hill Municipal School in Freetown. Children watch members of HMS Cornwall's crew renovating school furniture. Royal Marine Jonathan Dodd explains how the school has been cleaned. Furniture is taken into the school building. Interview with Sub Lieutenant Richard Beard. (iii) Helicopter lands on sports field and delivers supplies. Jubilant crowds of children flock round, and Royal Marine Commandos play football with them. (iv) Bo Government Hospital. Scenes of recovering casualties, many of whom have lost limbs. Scenes in Southern Pharmaceuticals pharmacy, which has a bullet hole in the counter and very little stock remaining. Royal Marines talk to the staff about their experiences. Outside the hospital, in the streets of Bo, burnt out cars and other damage can be seen. (v) Another helicopter supply drop, and further scenes at the school.
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(Tape 2) Scenes on board the Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth which has been in West Africa as a contingency for humanitarian aid, and working with the navies in the region; HMS Cornwall was her relief vessel. Interview with Captain Michael Silles, Captain of Monmouth, which had recently visited Conakry in New Guinea, assisting the return of President Kabbah. General views on board HMS Monmouth, including launch of inflatable assault boat. Further interviews, with Chef Michael Teague (Cook's Mate) and Lieutenant Mark Williams, Flight Commander on Monmouth (leaning against his Lynx helicopter, which has an image of Daffy Duck painted on its fuselage).
Full description
(Tape 3) Scenes of HMS Cornwall activities in Guinea, West Africa, as part of its support for Sierra Leone. (i) Captain Anthony Newark of HMS Cornwall being interviewed in Conakry, Guinea, about Cornwall's role in the West African Patrol prior to taking part in Exercise Strong Resolve, after the reinstatement of President Kabbah in Sierra Leone. (ii) Schoolchildren from the International School in Conakry are taken on board HMS Cornwall and shown around (scenes on the bridge, and posing for photographs on deck). (iii) Crewmen from Cornwall in an inflatable boat take depth soundings at quayside. (iv) HMS Cornwall comes into dock; equipment is winched ashore by giant crane (including Land Rover). Local military officials are piped aboard on a visit.
Full description
(Tape 4) HMS Cornwall's Sea King helicopter flies over dense jungle and lands in the city of Bo (according to shotlist). Large crowd of local people gathers; children cheer for the camera. Hospital scenes: RN medics from Cornwall assist Medecins sans Frontieres volunteers. Aerial shots of Bo. Further shots of children being treated and shots of HMS Cornwall at Freetown - rice is loaded aboard ready to be helicoptered inland.
Full description
(Tape 5) (i) Scenes in the children's ward at Bo Government Hospital. A powdered baby's milk is prepared in a large drum for distribution to mothers in the ward General views of the run down ward, and of the babies. HMS Cornwall's Captain tours the hospital, talking to mothers and hospital staff (some of whom are European). (ii) Extended piece to camera by Captain, describing the Navy's role "in support of the government [of Sierra Leone] and the situation in Freetown after the looting and vandalism from the retreating junta". General views of docks.
Full description
(Tape 6) Scenes of HMS Cornwall off Sierra Leone, including bridge activity, helicopter in action (lifting rice for delivery to Bo), scenes in Bo with captain talking to ECOMOG officers, rice being loaded into truck, also shots of Kamajor soldiers.
Content description
(Tape 7) Sea King helicopter lands on HMS Cornwall at sea; dignitaries (British High Commissioner and Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister) get off. Cornwall docks in Freetown. Interview with High Commissioner at his residence. Scenes at hospital in Freetown: Sergeant Lieutenant Jane Tippell and Petty Officer Leon McNamee (medics from Cornwall) are interviewed. Helicopter lands on sports pitch (in Bo ?) - rice and other supplies are unloaded into a Catholic Mission van as crowd watches. Second camera crew interviews captain of Cornwall. (Abrupt end)
Physical description
Beta-SP