American nurses sightseeing in England
Creator(s)
- Jack Stein
- Bertha (Bessie) B. Wachtel (Subject)
Biographical History
Beatrice Wachter (1906-1979) from Philadelphia, PA married Harry Wachter, a circulation agent with the Philadelphia Daily News, in 1931. She enlisted with the Army Nurse Corps at the age of 37 on June 7, 1943 and arrived in Europe on March 11, 1944. She served with the 51st Field Hospital in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe, and returned home on November 29, 1945. She received a Certificate of Merit: "With unselfish disregard for her own comfort and safety, Lt. Wachter contributed immeasurably to the care and well being of the many seriously wounded patients of the 51st Field Hospital in France, Belgium and Germany."
Scope and Content
Beatrice and some military personnel stand in Trafalgar Square in London. The 51st Field Hospital arrived in England in March 1944. Nelson's Column, the bronze lions, and crowds feeding pigeons are visible. A sign says, "Let our savings speak for us. Carry on London. Salute the soldier." on the base of the column. 01:03:47 Buckingham Palace. The group poses outside Westminster Abbey. They continue to sightsee in London: the clock tower at Westminster Palace, red double-decker busses, the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and St. Paul's Cathedral, and at 01:05:43 the Wells Cathedral in Somerset. Locals pose among their crops. Men and women (and Beatrice at 01:06:45) with baskets pretend to pick vegetables and flowers. A boy stands near some cows and holds his dog. VAR CUs of locals and home. The 51st billeted in private homes with local families near Cheddar, England, so this could be the family that Beatrice stayed with.
Note(s)
Detailed film condition and transfer report from Brodsky and Treadway in departmental files.
Subjects
- NURSES
- VACATIONS
- CHURCHES
- FARMERS/FARMING
- DOGS
- SOLDIERS/MILITARY (AMERICAN)
- WOMEN
Places
- , England
- London, England
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film