Royal Decorations
Royal Decorations
A young Prince of Wales decorates Australian soldiers in France.
Year: c1917
Length: 0:38
Production Company: British Pathe
Source: National Film and Sound Archive in Australia
Catalogue Reference: NFSA title no: 1112
People: HRH Prince of Wales
Location: France
Tags: Royalty, Prince of Wales, medals, decorations
Subject: Royalty, Prince of Wales, medals, decorations
In an open field in France, a young Prince of Wales decorates Australian soldiers. Royal visits were seen as an important way of boosting morale in wartime. The Prince attempted to visit the front line as often as possible, and although he was commissioned in the Grenadier Guards in 1914, he was not allowed to actively serve.
Many of the soldiers can be seen wearing puttees, a cloth band wound round their lower legs. The purpose of the puttee was to provide support when walking, protect against the harsh weather conditions, and prevent dirt and stone entering the boot. Puttees limited the circulation to the lower leg and foot and could be a contributing factor to trench foot, a painful medical condition primarily caused by wet feet and unsanitary conditions.
The flag on the table has the Union Jack in the top left corner and appears to have a star towards the right corner, indicating that it is likely to be the Australian Flag as adopted in 1909. The background would have been red, rather than the blue that Australians are now familiar with, as that flag wasn’t adopted until 1953.
The Prince of Wales later came to Australia on a royal visit in 1920. He became King Edward VIII in 1936, abdicating after a year in favour of his younger brother George.
Royal Decorations
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France
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0:00
Intertitle: PRINCE OF WALES IN FRANCE. H.R.H Reviews Australians and distributes decorations
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0:04
Australian troops march past the Prince of Wales and officers
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0:13
The Prince of Wales presents medals to Australian soldiers
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France
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0:00
Intertitle: PRINCE OF WALES IN FRANCE. H.R.H Reviews Australians and distributes decorations
-
0:04
Australian troops march past the Prince of Wales and officers
-
0:13
The Prince of Wales presents medals to Australian soldiers