Messages Home: Channel 4 documentary uncovers Lost Films of the British Army found in Manchester Town Hall

The ‘Forgotten Army’ in Burma are remembered in rediscovered footage
Ben Travis26 June 2016

While thoughts of World War II often conjure images of Normandy beaches and bombed-out German towns, Channel 4’s new documentary brings fresh insight into the troops stationed in Burma.

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Forgotten Army’, they’re forgotten no longer – a discovery in Manchester Town Hall uncovered filmed footage of the soldiers, lost for 70 years.

The filming came from a scheme called Calling Blighty, intended as a morale boost for the troops, and though most of the 391 editions have not been found, 23 were recovered in Manchester.

In Channel 4’s Messages Home: Lost Films of the British Army, the recordings are seeing the light of day.

There’s a message of love from Norma to his future wife Betty, as watched in the present day by his sons Steve and Rob, and Private Ken Chadwick, now 92, sees his 21 year-old self in the recovered film.

Then there’s Private Frank Miller. His daughter Alma always thought that her father was in the ‘catering corps’ – but it becomes apparent that he was actually a member of elite special forces group the Chindits.

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Messages Home is full of stories of family and bravery, full of poignant, heart-warming, and heart-breaking scenes.

The Forgotten Army will certainly be remembered by those who tune in.

Channel 4, 8pm

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