Media

A interactive CD-Rom encyclopedia illustrating and describing almost 1900 ship, submarine and shore establishment badges from 1919 - present day.

This CD, 'an hour of great music, beautifully sung', has 18 songs to suit every taste, from male voice classics like 'Cwm Rhondda', to gentler favourites such as 'Bring Him Home', 'She' and 'Angels'.

The Choir, founded in 1904, is one of the oldest and most respected male choirs in the U.K

This CD-Rom includes details of 21,000 people who were on the muster of British Ships on 21st October 1805. Details of each man inlcude the ship on which he serverd, rank or rating and in most cases his age and place of birth

In this three part series, our presenter Colin White follows in the footsteps of Lord Nelson in his native Britain, explaining the influences that shaped his character.
Colin also visits HMS Victory, the ship that become synonymous with Nelsons name.
He also goes to meet one of Nelsons descendants and we see how his life and death were celebrated at his funeral at St Pauls Cathedral.

Although the Tudors reigned from 1485-1603 our story begins much earlier, in the year of 1461 with a character called Owen Tudor. Owen was the source from which the Tudor dynasty would eventually spring. 1461-1485 saw the Yorkists Edward IV, Edward V and Richard III on the throne, until 1485 the Tudor reign began with Henry VII.

Henry VII was followed in the year 1509 by probably the most famous of all the Tudor monarchs Henry VIII, who with his six wives takes a very colourful place in history. Then came Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, along with Lady Jane Grey (the nine day queen) who historically gets very little mention.

All in all, the Tudor period was one of intrigue and passionate affairs, one that even today can still capture the imagination.

Re-enactments and in-depth expert analysis of the Tudor period by Alan Ereira add to the enjoyment of this historical insight.

The name of Britain's most celebrated naval tactician is inextricable linked to "victory". Whether in reference to his famous ship or in memory of his many triumphs, Horatio Nelson lived a charmed existence upon the waves.

His life on dry land, however, was to prove less "victorious" and far more controversial as his personal dealings became something of a scandal. A married man, yet openly flaunting his affair with Lady Emma Hamilton, wife of Lord Hamilton, Nelson caused outrage in both London society and within the higher echelons of the navy.

Also Includes Dramatic Reconstructions, The fall Of Nelson and Expert Analysis.

LAST FEW REMAINING - WILL NOT BE AVALIABLE AGAIN

See video extracts from the Royal Navy's International Fleet Review, with its unique gathering of vessels from around the world - spectacular warships and merchant ships, elegant tall ships and a flotilla of leisure craft...

...plus tens of tons of high explosives going up in the Royal Navy's night-time re-enactment of the crucial 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, where Lord Nelson died in triumph, his fleet having finally destroyed the French and Spanish Navies' chances of taking Napoleon's all-conquering army across the Channel to invade Britain.

Also included are video of the evening Son et Lumiere, the splendid fireworks, and stunning photos.

Treasure hunters and scientists have for many years been looking for a shipwreck dating back to the time of the discovery of the Americas. Now they think it's been found just off the Panamanian coast. A wreck located at a depth of only a few metres, prompted American expert of Iberian shipbuilding, Professor Filipe Castro to say "this is the oldest wreck ever discovered off the coast of the Americas". Finds of cannons, wreckage and fragments support the theory that the wreck is of Spanish origin, which dates back to around the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century. This film traces the route of Columbus' fourth voyage to the Caribbean, which ended in disaster for him and his fleet. The contemporary diving expedition to the shipwreck, the scientific investigation of the ship and the story of the fourth voyage are all woven together throughout the fabric of this programme.

The story of the aircraft carrier, featuring archive and contemporary footage.

Playing time - 57 minutes.

As the Industrial Revolution clunked and hissed its way into life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the possibilities new technologies brought were swiftly utilised by the armed forces of nations across the globe, in particular the opportunity for new ship design. Though not famous for being a naval conflict, the American Civil War was the first major battle of the Industrial Age and as such played host to what many naval analysts believe to be the most significant naval engagement in history - the battle between the Confederates' vessel Merrimack and the Union ship, the Monitor. While the battle itself was inconclusive, the technology deployed would influence ship design from that time onwards - the day of the mighty wooden man-of-war was over and the age of the Ironclad was dawning. This programme goes aboard one of these new breed of ships, the HMS Warrior - a ship so feared and respected that its mere, the Golden Hinde is a living link to a bygone age of adventure, which has inspired countless tales of privateers and Spanish gold. It was in ships like this that English pirate adventurers such as Drake and Hawkins, preyed upon the vital bullion convoys en-route to Spain from the new world, disrupting Spanish trade and weakening her grip on the low countries. These were the men who precipitated the conflict between England and Spain which was to presence in British waters was sufficient deterrent to all potential enemies, so much so she has never fired a shot in anger

The battleship reigned supreme in naval warfare from the start of this century to 1945 and, though only the Dardanelles and Jutland provided action in World War One, German rearmament ensured the heavily armed queen of the seas would play a major part in the second conflict. The Royal Navy won early successes: the mighty Graf Spee was scuttled off South America, while half of Raeder's fleet was destroyed at Narvik. U-boats and air power posed a real threat to battleship superiority, as proved by British torpedo bombers at Taranto, but Britain had to destroy France's capitol ships off North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and the D-Day landings as floating weapons platforms pounding shore-based enemy positions. The Us Navy proved all-powerful in the Pacific, Leyte Gulf leaving the Japanese with only one surviving battleship. Fittingly, the final act of the war took place on USS Missouri as Japan signed the surrender. The Allies had secured ultimate victory - a triumph in which the battleship played it's part.

With its earliest footage dating back to 1901, this programme features a range of craft from warships to fishing boats, pleasure steamers and tugs. Port and resorts all around the coast are featured from Mallaig to Weymouth and from Holyhead to Dover. Among famous vessels included are HMS Ark Royal, the Mauretania and many others.

The German U-Boat fleet was famously the one thing that frightened Winston Churchill in his stewardship of Britain during World War 2. This documentary film recounts the German threat and includes rare archive footage.

Part of the War Files - History Of War collection.

The Armada is the fascinating story of one of maritimes greatest battles, this DVD includes atmospheric reconstructions, re-enactments and computer graphics.

55minutes playing time.

Running Time: 40 minutes
This DVD of Sir Winston Churchill's State Funeral shows more of the original broadcast of January 1965 than ever before.
The coverage bears witness for Britain's great war-leader, shown in every gesture and word by all those who took part in the nation's tribute on that bitterly cold day.

It was in the late summer of 1943 that the American Navy launched its operation to drive the Japanese fleet from the central Pacific. The aircraft carrier was to play a crucial role in this success.

This fascinating programme tells the dramatic story of the desperate struggle for the Pacific featuring rare archive footage of carriers in action and examines their function in this vital theatre of war.

Triple DVD collection
Story Of The Army:
The Story of the British Army is one of weapons and battles, glorious victory and embarrassing defeat and ever improving technology. But above all it is the story of the soldier. We see them advancing from mud filled trenches on the Somme battlefield, racing across the North African Desert, dropping by parachute into Normandy, fighting through the jungles of Burma and peace-keeping in far flung places of the world.


Story Of The navy:
Throughout two World Wars and numerous naval engagements, the Royal Navy has maintained its place as one of the world's major maritime powers. This fascinating documentary looks at the great era of the battleship through to the aircraft carriers, frigates and destroyers that have kept the tradition strong.

Story Of The R.A.F.:
Featuring rare footage with newly shot film and expert opinion, this fascinating programme looks at how the early pilots fought in their wire, wood and canvas aircraft and includes the aerial battles of Spitfires and Hurricanes against the fearsome ME109s. Experience massed bomber raids over Germany and follow the RAF through 50 years of the jet age from the first Meteors to the low-level Tornado attacks of the Gulf War.

Great sea battles of world war two.
After the horrors of the Great War, an uneasy peace prevailed. Britannia ruled the waves, but for how long? The mid 1930's saw Germany rebuilding her fleets, defying the Versailles Treaty as Hitler planned to encircle Britain with his Kriegsmarine. Within hours of war's declaration, a u-boat had claimed it's first victim in an underwater reign of terror that struck merchantman and warship alike. By April 1940, Germany had sunk one million tonnes of Allied Shipping. The entrance of Mussolini's Italy shifted the balance of power in the Mediterranean. However, the course of Naval warfare was changed in 1941 when torpedo bombers from HMS Illustrious decimated the Italian fleet at anchor in Taranto, crippling three of their battleships in the first Allied victory since the fall of France. Japan soon learned the lesson, to America's cost. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941 dwarfed Taranto, with 19 warships and 190 aircraft lost and 22,500 dead. Sea power proved to crucial in the Pacific. The battle of the Coral Sea was decisive in denying Japan a gateway to Australia and was a naval first - opposing forces, launching air attacks 120 miles apart, were never in sight of each other. After the US strike on Midway, there was no doubting the tide had turned. Leyte Gulf was the last and greatest sea battle of World War Two, leaving the Imperial Fleet all but destroyed. The era of the battleship had long gone: the aircraft carrier was now the undisputed master of naval warfare.

Playing time 58 minutes.

This informative programme gives a fascinating account and vivid insight into the colourful history and traditions of a colossal national army, which has always been well respected for its tremendous fighting spirit, regimental pride, courage, organisation and sheer professionalism. It explores the historical background to the key phases of the army's evolution throughout generations, and highlights the struggles and triumphs of Britain's long-term heroes, through exciting, educational and rare archive footage.

Running time: 58 minutes

The story of the Allied assault on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944.

This is the epitome of the age of the great liner, a time when comfort abounded and the upper classes revelled in outrageous luxury. Using nostalgic archive footage, contemporary newsreels and still photographs, this DVD takes a look at the ships, the trips and passengers of the great liner era.

Based on the true story of Lord Louis Mountbatten's destroyer HMS Kelly, In Which We Serve is one of the most memorable British films made during World War II. Unfolding in flashback as survivors cling to a dingy, constantly strafed by the Luftwaffe, the film recounts the history of HMS Torrin through various battles to her sinking off the coast of North Africa, interwoven with the onshore lives of her crew. The film was the inspiration of Noel Coward, who desperately wanted to do something for the war effort, and he produced, wrote the screenplay, composed the stirring musical score and starred as Captain Edward Kinross. Coward also officially co-directed, though in reality he soon handed the reigns over to David Lean, whose directorial debut this became. There is a fine performance from Celia Johnson, anticipating her character in Lean and Coward's Brief Encounter (1946) and excellent support from John Mills, as well as a star-making debut from an uncredited Richard Attenborough.

Running time: 100 minutes
Explores the havoc caused by the German U-Boats of the Second World War. Considers their reign of terror, and their ultimate demise at the end of the War.

Running Time: 100 minutes
Hitlers obsession with the Crimea was a main source of disagreement with his staff, so it was that the German 11th Army under manstein broke through the Soviet lines in October 1941 - but this was only the start of the series of bloody battles that cost the Russians two whole armies. For his bombardment and capture of Sevastapool, Manstein was promoted to Field Marshall. However the tide turned after the disastrous German defeats at Stalingrad and Kursk. Cut off and isolated in the Crimea, the Germans faced massive Russian attacks and Sevastapol surrendereed against Hitlers orders in May 1944. Twelve German and Rumanian divisions were completely destroyed and 25,000 prisoners were taken.

Southampton has always been regarded as the cruise ship capital of England, but it also plays a major part in the UK's export and import of commodities, and can also be considered as a gateway to the world. In this fascinating programme we bring to you unprecedented scenes of daily port action, including the towage of passenger cruise ships, liners, container ships and tankers. A look at the UK's second largest container terminal will see the unloading of containers by massive cranes and loaded onto trucks and straddle carriers. Join with us as we get up-close and personal to some of the largest ships in the world. See just how Southampton's tugboat crews operate their vessels together with the enormous size of our modern day ships, and witness the action as engineers grapple with bow and stern ropes to make safe the passage of ships into Southampton. Southampton has over the years played host to many new ships and has always welcomed them in style. Our cameras were there to record two very spectacular débuts. These were P&O Cruise's Ventura and Cunard's magnificent new ship the Queen Victoria. We also take you on board the Queen Victoria to see the splendour of her interior, and enjoy the pomp and pageantry as the Queen Victoria departs for her maiden voyage through a spectacular fireworks display. Staying with Cunard, history was made in April 2008 when Cunard's three serving ships were all seen together at the same time. Our cameras were there to record this historic event as it unfolded, and the scenes from our tugboat Svitzer Surrey are spectacular.

An unprecedented behind the scenes look at one of Europe's largest sea ports, Southampton. This port sees a considerable amount of shipping traffic which includes both container and general cargo, ferries, cruise ships and liners. In this programme all aspects of passenger and cargo operations not normally viewed by the general public are shown. Witness all the dockside action as cruise ships such as the Grand Princess are moored together with P&O cruise ships. Join us aboard the Grand Princess as we take a look at her magnificent facilities including scenes from the captain s bridge. Southampton has always had a long and distinguished maritime history involving such shipping companies as Union Castle and Cunard. We also take a brief look at the history of Southampton including that most famous of ships, the Titanic. The Titanic set sail from this port in 1912 and we take a look at her together with the dock where she sailed from almost a century ago. The lavender hulls of the Union Castle Line that visited this port in those halcyon days are also highlighted together with Cunard ships such as Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary. All of this and a great deal more can be seen in this magnificent DVD. Ships featured include, Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, Princess Cruises' Grand Princess, Sea Princess and P&O Cruises' Oriana, Aurora and many more. This is a unique, educational and entertaining DVD which will interest the enthusiast and holidaymaker as well as those within the shipping industry itself.

Running time: 53 minutes.
The momentous mass evacuation across the English Channel of the British Expeditionary Force during the early stages of World War II is retold in this documentary.

This is the saga of the bloody and prolonged battle for control of the maritime trade routes upon which Britain depended for vital supplies from all over the world during the second world war. It is the story of convoys across the Atlantic and the Arctic, and their never ending fight against the German U-Boats, a fight which cost nearly 80,000 British lives and more than 70% of all U-Boat crew members. This DVD used superb archive footage, rare photographic images, expert comment and analysis, and includes interviews with survivors.

This Box Set contains:

DVD - Your past in newsreel (20mins)

CD - Music And Memories (Over 1 Hour)

24 - Page Illustrated Booklet

The Ultimate Nostalgia Package!!

Before the 1960s, few people in Britain could afford to discard anything that might be repaired and re-used. This brand new ‘Yesteryear Scrapbook’ offers a fascinating insight into how people employed their ingenuity to repair and mend. The 1940s and ‘50s were an era when hats and car tyres were recycled, and aluminium saucepans became fighter-planes! One ambitious gentleman even built an entire house from material salvaged from bomb-sites ...for the meagre price of £82!

DVD, CD & 24 Page Booklet!

On DVD: Children’s Repair Shop - Young Mechanics At Work (1940) • Patching London - Restoring Buildings In The Blitz (1940) • Soling And Heeling Tyres - New Treads For Old (1940) • Handyman Hancock’s £82 House (1945) • Soapbox Derby: Children’s Home-Made Race (1951)...and more!

On CD: Be Like The Kettle And Sing Vera Lynn • I Did What I Could With My Gas Mask George Formby • The Thing-Ummy- Bob (That’s Going To Win The War) Arthur Askey • Albert And His Savings Stanley Holloway • We Must All Stick Together Billy Cotton & His Band...and many more!

This Pack includes a CD with 16 of the most cherished recordings of the time.
Running time 47.55 minutes

A DVD and a 20 page illustrated booklet which places the events revealed by the Newsreel and heard on the CD in context

Includes, a CD, a DVD and a 20 page booklet.
The 'Yesteryear Scrapbook' shows the destruction of Britains cities, and the way the country rallied. With a CD of popular music, an explanatory booklet and a DVD of authentic newsreel, this Yesteryear Scrapbook brings the times of Britain's greatest danger to vivid life.

Includes, a CD, a DVD and a 20 page booklet.
Winston Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister in 1940 was one of the most significant events of the Second World War. The Scrapbook’s DVD reveals the great man’s personality and shows footage of his State Funeral. The Scrapbook’s CD provides more famous speeches, while the 24 page booklet describes the origins and background of the man many people believe to be the greatest-ever Briton.

On this 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, this very special album, WE’LL MEET AGAIN, pays musical tribute to the war years by way of a unique blend of classic songs and home-front sounds. Key wartime artists – Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Flanagan And Allen, Bing Crosby, and Glenn Miller, to name but a few – perform songs with which they’ll be forever associated. Interspersed with gripping wartime Churchill speeches and a live broadcast of a dogfight over the English Channel, WE’LL MEET AGAIN provides an unparalleled listening experience that perfectly evokes the spirit of Britain during this era unique in our nation’s history.

· 22 glorious nostalgia soaked tracks · Over 70 minutes in total duration · All original recordings by the original artists · Every single track a wartime classic – no fillers! · All tracks digitally re-mastered · Including fascinating liner notes

In FORCES’ SWEETHEARTS, we invite you to remember and enjoy some of the indelible voices of World War II singing songs that brightened the darkest of days and helped light the path to final victory. From the English rose-like quality of Vera Lynn to the snazziest of vocal trios, The Andrews Sisters, from the exotic tutti-frutti hatted Carmen Miranda to Deanna Durbin’s more homespun charms. Proudly presented here are all the great wartime ladies of song who earned the epithet of FORCES’ SWEETHEARTS for their personality and looks as well as their captivating voices.

· Including artists from Britain and America · 20 glitzy and glamorous tracks · Almost 60 minutes in total duration · All original recordings by the original artists

A 23 track tribute to those who served and the wartime spirit of Britain · Over an hour of audio · All original recordings by the original artists · Includes original wartime broadcasts

This CD contains a 25 minutes audio conversation between William Wyllie's daughter and Diana Villar, recorded in 1978. Aileen talks about her father's works, life and the making of the famous painting 'Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar' where she's been assisting her father.

Originally produced in 1988 on VHS, this DVD contains a documentary where John Wyllie talks about his grandfather's life and works, one of the most famous British marine artists.

Romantic songs of the war years

Touching, moving, sentimental - and always memorable. These are the songs for the forces sweethearts, left behind when their men went to war. Misty eyes and aching hearts abound in some of the best songs from the 1940s. Featuring the voices of Vera Lynn, Dick Haymes, Dinah Shore, Vaughn Monroe and many more.

23 Tracks, 71 minutes playing time.
Great military band music

'They're changing the guard at Buckingham Palace...' and this is what they might play: a superb mix of marching tunes and popular songs, played here by a mighty tour de force of virtuoso bandsmen chosen from amongst the best bands from Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

Over 1 hour playing time

songs inlude: bridal chorus, happy birthday, anniversary waltz, auld lang syne, god save the queen, jerusalem, rule brittannia, abide with me, funeral march, last post, reveille and more.

Over 1 hour of music

All your favourite Christmas songs being played by HM Royal Marines band

Over 1 hour playing time

Songs inlude: Fantasia on british sea songs, portsmouth point, galliard of the sons of the morning, the wasps - overture, jupiter, fame and glory, heart of oak, hornpipe and more.

The monarchy remains as popular as ever. Here is a programme of music for royal occasions, from coronations to weddings. Choirs, orchestras, military bands, organs and fanfare trumpets perform stirring music with plenty of good cheer, in a hearty programme of great British tunes.

Recorded by the Royal Marines Association Concert Band this commemoration CD marks the closure of the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar which provided invaluable service and support to the Royal Navy since 1753.
Tracks are:
Haslar Farewell - Curtis
Trafalgar March - Zehle
Salute to Bob Hope - arr Barker
QARNNS March - Attwood
Where 'Ere You Walk - Handel arr Dunn
Sousa! - arr Barker
Orpheus in the Underworld - Offenbach
War on the Big Screen - arr Brown & Cunningham
The Shadow of Your Smile - Mandel arr Woodfield (Trombone: Paul Coker)
Mountbatten March - Dunn
Jolly Roger - Hancock
On the Quarter Deck - Alford
Sugar Blues - Williams arr Woodfield (Trumpet: Jon Yates)
The Longest Day - Anka
Viscount Nelson - Zehle
Evening Hymn, Crimond - Irvine arr McConnell
Sunset - Green (Solo Bugle: Bugler Tom Cartwright RMSoM)
Regimental March Selection - arr Price

Stirring songs & patriotic music

16 tracks - 60 minutes
Music chosen for its thrill factor: from trumpets and drums to soaring choral voices, this programme has a 'Last Night of the Proms' feel. It features the great and the good of English music of the past including Handel, Holst, Elgar and Walton.

A celebration in words and music

20 Tracks - Over 60 minutes
The voice of the great man himself in a selection of his most famous speeches, combined with music of the period: songs of hope, and cheerful little numbers in amongst the stirring words of Britain's most famous Prime Minister.

Songs from World War II

21 tracks - 65 minutes playing time.
The war was not just fought on the beaches, but on the home front as well. But it wasn't all doom and gloom, as this album of cheerful and inspiring wartime favourites shows. Who can ever forget songs like 'Bless 'em all', 'Run, Rabbit, run', or 'There'll always be an England'.

Favourite Wartime Songs

23 Tracks - 60 Minutes
A lot of the music from World War II was cheerful and fun, including the tracks chosen for this special album featuring all the musical stars of the period. There's an emphasis here on the end of the War and the celebrations which naturally followed.

This CD presents an account of the battle of Trafalgar written by William Beatty MD who, as a surgeon on board HMS Victory, tended the dying Nelson

'A great and Glorious Victory' and other choral music.
Running time: over 60 minutes

Music performed by a variety of bands.
Songs include: Dam Busters, Reach For The Sky, Colonel Bogey, The Great Escape, 633 Squadron, Scindlers List, Band Of Brothers and more.
Over 60 minutes of music.

Favourite songs of the 40s.
Every citizen - man, woman and child - was involved in the war effort: in the fields, in the home, and in uniform either at the front or behind the scenes. This is a nostalgic collection with a hint of a woman's perspective of the war, with humour and silliness mixed in with fear, love and longing.