GB 1943 42mins Dir: Carol Reed Starring: Raymond Huntley and John Laurie
During World War II, five civilians from different backgrounds become reluctant conscripts in the British Army
This British military training drama-documentary was made for the Army Kinematograph Service, and was later expanded and remade as The Way Ahead (1944). None of the cast was actually credited, but included such great names as John Laurie, Peter Ustinov, Raymond Huntley, Bernard Lee, Geoffrey Keen, Robert Donat, Bernard Miles, Ian Fleming and Kathleen Harrison. It has some good shots filmed at London Waterloo with Lord Nelson Class 4-6-0 No. 852 Sir Walter Raleigh pulling out at the head of an express, which is followed by an arrival scene that used Baynards station in Surrey before it became really famous. The train arrives at Baynards in the hands of Q1 Class 0-6-0 No.C1, a rare loco on film and one that has now been preserved.
This is London Waterloo with electric units occupying some of the platforms
Kathleen Harrison and Peter Ustinov on the concourse at Waterloo
A Lance Corporal watches on as Peter Ustinov trudges towards the train
Trying to act casual as he passes some soldiers, Raymond Huntley makes his way to the train
Lord Nelson Class 4-6-0 No. 852 Sir Walter Raleigh stands ready for departure
An express recedes from the camera in this shot that is used to depict the journey in progress. The structure across the tracks to the right could be a gantry left over from the old LB&SCR AC overhead electrification scheme. Can anyone confirm?
This is Baynards station in Surrey, and the arriving train is being hauled by Q1 Class 0-6-0 No.C1. These very austere locomotives were basically ‘boilers on wheels’, leading to their nickname of ‘coffee pots’. A less pleasent sobriquet was ‘Ugly Duckling’ but this was perhaps a lttle harsh as the class of 40 proved to be a real success. Number C1 was built in 1942 so would have been nearly new here. Soon renumbered 33001, the loco would go on to become the only survivor, technically preserved as part of the National Collection.
A young John Laurie alights at Baynards. It looks like the Q1 is at the front, judging by the shape of the tender
