Detail
Collection Royal Sussex Regiment Collection
Summary
A collection of films produced by and for the Royal Sussex Regiment dating from 1914 to 1960 when the Regiment was disbanded. The collection includes film of the first recruits joining the regiment at the start of the First World War along with parades at the Chichester Barracks and a promotional film recruiting for the Regiment in the late 1950s.
Collection ID | 797 | Reference code | WS 790605 / 1 |
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Title | Royal Sussex Regiment Collection | ||
Dates | 1910s - 1960s | ||
Production | Diverse: Movietone - Captain Paul Courtenay - Pathé Gazette - Major Reade + Roberts - Associated British Pathé - E. M. Henry. BBC Belfast [?] - Gaumont Graphic. | ||
Materials | DOCUMENTATION FILM 35mm 16mm Video | ||
Access status | Contact Screen Archive South East for details |
Description
Screen Archive South East's collection of films pertaining to the Royal Sussex Regiment comprises over thirty amateur and professional films dating from 1914 - 1960 (the year in which the Regiment was disbanded). The films not only cover a wide timespan, but they also cover a wide variety of activities and events. The earliest two films, Southdown Fighters: The 1st Southdown Battalion (19 November 1914) and The 5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment at the Tower of London (1915) serve as visual records of the troops who would shortly be sent to the Front Line in France. [2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, Karachi] (1932 - 1935) and Christmas in Korea (December 1956) meanwhile serve as records of tours abroad.
The majority of the films however record the Regiment at home, particularly at its Chichester Depot, the Roussillon Barracks. The Barracks served as the setting for Quebec Day anniversary celebrations, the last of which was captured in several amateur films including Quebec Day (13 September 1959), and for numerous passing-out parades in the years before the Regiment disbanded, such as [Passing-out Parade at the Regimental Depot of the Gaza Intake] (22 January 1960).
There are also films which show the presentation of new Colours to the Regiment by members of the Royal family on two occasions, including Chichester. HRH The Duke of Gloucester Presents New Colours to Famous First Batt. The Royal Sussex Regiment (15 June 1928), as well as records of other ceremonies, such as [The Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Hove to the Royal Sussex Regiment] (19 May 1958). There is also a recruitment film entitle [Recruiting for the Royal Sussex Regiment] (ca. 1957) which was made, as were the majority of the amateur films, by an officer of the Regiment. The collection thus provides a comprehensive moving image record of the Royal Sussex Regiment during the latter decades of its existence. The amateur films, typically made by men directly involved with the Regiment, offer unique records of the Regiment whilst the professional films demonstrate the reverence with which the Regiment was held.
Films in this collection:
Showing 1 to 15 of 18 results.

Southdown Fighters - The 1st Southdown Battalion
Date | 19th November 1914 | ID | 3074 |
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Two Gaumont Graphic newsreel segments are taken from their issue no. 382, from the 19th November 1914. They show the newly recruited 1st Southdown Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment at Eastbourne Station followed by footage of trenches entitled 'The fight for Dixmude'.

The 5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment at the Tower of London
Date | 1915 | ID | 3075 |
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This film records The 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment performing various drills outside the Tower of London in 1915. The Battalion, which was formed of territorials from East Sussex, was posted to the Tower of London in October 1914 where it undertook the duties of a Guards Battalion. The Battalion joined the Front Line shortly after this newsreel was made.
Chichester: HRH The Duke of Gloucester Presents New Colours to Famous First Batt. The Royal Sussex Regiment
Date | 15 June 1928 | ID | 3052 |
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The Duke of Gloucester is filmed presenting new Colours to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He is greeted by dignitaries upon arrival, inspects the troops, presents the new Colours and poses for photographs with the Battalion. The Battalion then marches through the streets of Chichester, taking the old Colours to St George's Chapel at Chichester Cathedral. They are watched by large crowds who line the streets.
Only Once A Year
Date | 8 August 1932 | ID | 3053 |
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"Only once a year does the 'line' regiment replace 'The Guards' - and this year the Royal Sussex Regiment had the honour", an event which is recorded in this Pathé Gazette film. The film includes images of the Regiment marching past Buckingham Palace, holding up the traffic which follows behind.
Thomas Atkins puts Best Foot Forward; 12th Infantry Brigade, on 100-mile Economy March from Dover, completes last stage at Arundel
Date | 31 August 1933 | ID | 3054 |
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This newsreel records the 12th Infantry Brigade nearing the end of its economy march from Dover to Arundel. The film includes numerous aerial shots of the Brigade marching along seafront roads, as well as street-level images of it marching through town streets lined with spectators. The country's flagging economy in the early 1930s led to the governent imposing an Economy regime on the army.
[The Trooping of The Colour By The 1st Battalion]
Date | 1933 | ID | 3055 |
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On 3rd September 1933 the 1st Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment are filmed Trooping The Colour on the cricket field in Arundel, watched by large crowds. Meanwhile, one of the Regiment's other battalions marches in shorts and pith helmets on a parade ground in Asia.
[Parade Held on Quebec Day at the Regimental Depot in Chichester]
Date | 12 September 1948 | ID | 3056 |
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A brief professional film recording part of the Royal Sussex Regiment's annual Quebec Day celebrations. The regiment is joined by veterans, marching through the Priory Grounds in Chichester. The film has music and accompanying commentary.
News Parade: Arundel. Sussex Regiment Honoured
Date | 29 April 1954 | ID | 3059 |
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HRH Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother presents new Colours to the 1st Battalion of the Sussex Regiment in this newsreel. Vast crowds watch as she presents the Colours, and takes the salute in Arundel Park The Battalion later marches with bayonets fixed through the streets of Arundel, joined by veterans of the First World War.
Christmas in Korea
Date | Dec 1956 | ID | 3057 |
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An amateur filmic record of the Royal Sussex Regiment on duty in Korea. The troops are filmed on exercise in the snowy landscape, and celebrating Christmas in the barracks. The Regiment was sent to Korea in July 1956 as the last British unit in the Commonwealth Contingent under the command of the United States Army.
![[Recruiting for the Royal Sussex Regiment] (ca.1961) A still from [Recruiting for the Royal Sussex Regiment] (ca.1961) - artillery on a beach](/wp-content/uploads/films/3077/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Recruiting for the Royal Sussex Regiment]
Date | [ca. 1957] | ID | 3077 |
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A short recruitment film encouraging men to join the Royal Sussex Regiment.
[The Passing-out Parade at the Regimental Depot of the Pinwe Intake]
Date | 13 June 1958 | ID | 3067 |
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Soldiers of the Royal Sussex Regiment are filmed on parade at the Roussillon Barracks in Chichester. The soldiers' parade is watched by family members and local dignitaries. An inspection and awards ceremony is followed by a marching band moving through the streets of Chichester.
[The Passing-out Parade at the Regimental Depôt of the Courtrai Intake]
Date | 24 April 1958 | ID | 3068 |
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Soldiers of the Royal Sussex Regiment on parade at the Barracks in Chichester. The soldiers' parade is watched by family members and other visitors. There is a military inspection and awards handed out, speeches and a marching band.
![[The Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Hove to the Royal Sussex Regiment] (1958) A still from [The Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Hove to the Royal Sussex Regiment] (1958)](/wp-content/uploads/films/3071/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[The Presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Hove to the Royal Sussex Regiment]
Date | 19 May 1958 | ID | 3071 |
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An amateur film which records the events on Hove seafront to mark the presentation of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to the Royal Sussex Regiment.
[The Annual Quebec Day Celebrations at Chichester Barracks]
Date | 7 September 1958 | ID | 3078 |
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Members of the public visit the Royal Sussex Regiment's Roussillon Barracks for the annual Quebec Day celebrations. The visitors are treated to regimental displays on the parade ground, a Drum Head Service, numerous exhibitions of army vehicles and equipment, as well as sideshow games, sports day races, and a cricket match.
[The Passing-out Parade at the Regimental Depot of the Louisburg Intake]
Date | 19 June 1959 | ID | 3063 |
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An amateur record of the passing-out parade of the Louisburg Intake of the Royal Sussex Regiment at the Roussillon Barracks. The troops enter the parade ground, where they are inspected and awarded prizes before marching through Chichester's shopping streets.
Showing 1 to 15 of 18 results.