description
Object description
With the liberation of Singapore the first Gurkha prisoners of war, captured by the Japanese in 1942, are transported to the docks and issued with new clothing before their repatriation.
Full description
At a prisoner of war camp two lorries carrying British troops drive away; the soldiers on the back wave to Gurkhas waiting on parked lorries. Gurkhas walk along the dockside (film racking briefly jumps here several times and the image is slightly smeared). Two Gurkhas with a bird (a pigeon?) in a chicken wire carrier. Looking at a pile of new kit issued to a former prisoner, including pack, mess tin, clothing, groundsheet, plate, and a hat. Two bars of 'Lifebuoy' soap. Clothes brush and shaving brush. A Gurkha puts on a battledress shirt; a British officer (?) assists him. Blankets issued. Wide shot; Gurkhas and receiving kit. A sack of canvas shoes; hands reach into shot and take pairs of them. Freed Gurkhas aboard a landing craft (probably Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 135). A local civilian steps backwards onto the dockside after embracing a Gurkha, but stumbles; some onlookers in the background laugh. Gurkhas waving to the camera. The men try and get the pigeon to eat from a small cup.
Physical description
35mm