Menzies’ Wartime Tour – England (1941)

This home movie filmed by Australia’s longest serving prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies, captures England during the Blitz in 1941. It features footage of the Churchills in their home, close-ups of various political leaders and prominent figures of England including Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Archibald Sinclair, Sir Charles Portal, Sir Walter Citrine, Oliver Lyttelton, Arthur Greenwood, Herbert Morrison, Duff Cooper, Sir John Anderson, Clement Atlee, Sir Kingsley Wood, David Margesson, Anthony Eden and Ernest Bevin. There are also views of the English countryside including Coventry, Fairford, Oxford and Menzies’ visits to Cardiff and Swansea.

Sir Robert Menzies filmed this home movie during his wartime tour to England in 1941. It is a valuable record of Australia’s involvement in the Second World War. It shows the effects of the Blitz on London.

This is not your ordinary home movie footage. Filmed on 16mm colour film, Sir Robert captures significant events with a sensitivity and knowledge of his subject.