CANADIAN TROOPS DEPART FROM SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS ABOARD THE RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH [Allocated Title]

A converted troopship, the RMS Queen Elizabeth, carries Canadian troops out of Southampton Docks, the South coast of England, and vessels once again carry civilian passengers from overseas. There is also a record of a plaque to commemorate the cooperation between the Southern Railway and American forces during the Second World War.

(4 December 1945) Intertitle: “ ‘D’ DAY AT SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS”. “THE END”. SH407

(15 February 1946) The QUEEN ELIZABETH troopship, previously a luxury ocean liner, at Southampton Docks due to sail out of harbour with Canadian troops aboard. The decks are overcrowded with troops as the vessel is towed away by three tugboats. Further down the quayside, the troopship emerges from behind the much smaller EMPIRE CONTINENT vessel in the foreground and then exits the harbour. (22 sec)

(15 February 1946) The scene then cuts to three separate receding shots, pulling away from the Southampton Dock gate (No. 8), where a policeman is authorising the entry of various motor vehicles. Followed by, a train leaving Southampton Station. (1 min 30 sec) SH408

(19-22 February 1946) Pre-war aerial shots of Southampton Docks, featuring a large passenger steam liner in dock. A different angle gives an aerial perspective of the docks from over the sea, and a third angle looks out from the overland perspective (including the dry dock in use). (2 min 30 sec) SH409-410

(13 March 1946) Passengers disembark from the SS HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN, all are civilian men and women carrying luggage. The following scene shows passengers waiting by the “Customs Shed” as cargo is being lowered down from the vessel onto the dockside. Once inside, the passengers search along rows of luggage, filling a vast indoor storage area. The scene then cuts back to the receding shots of the Southern Railway Dock gate (No. 8) featured in SH408. (3 min 45 sec)

(13 March 1946) A close-up of a plaque commemorating the cooperation of the Southern Railway in their efforts to transport American forces into European theatre of war, it reads; “1939 -1945 THIS TABLET WAS PRESENTED TO THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY BY THE 14th MAJOR PORT, UNITED STATES ARMY, IN PROUD AND GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FORCES OF THE UNITED NATIONS WHO SAILED FROM THIS PORT DURING THE GREAT WAR AGAINST AGGESSION TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF MANKIND – LEO J. MAYER COLONEL TC. DEPUTY PORT COMMANDER, SHERMAN L. KISER COLONEL TC. PORT COMMANDER”. This is followed by shots panning across the Southern Railway Docks pillared gate (No. 8). (5 min 48 sec) SH411-412

(21 March 1946) More receding shots of the Southern Railway Docks gate (No. 8). Followed by, the QUEEN ELIZABETH vessel in dock (also featured in SH408). There are also brief records of the ATLONE CASTLE, the URAGUAY and the DURBAN CASTLE vessels. (6 min 55 sec) SH413

35mm