This film shows the inspection of the New Zealand Division during World War One by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France, near Fromental in the Lumbres training area, on 14 September 1917.
Haig wrote in his diary: "[a]t 10:00am I inspected the New Zealand Division... Major General Sir Andrew Russell KCMG in Command. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th Brigades were on parade. The men were well turned out and handled their arms smartly. They are a sturdy, thick set type of man. After my inspection, the troops marched past by platoons. A very fine show in fine style. Mr Winston Churchill accompanied me and seemed much impressed." (Haig Diaries, Volume XX, Friday 14 September 1917)
It seems that on this day Sanders was having trouble with his camera and this film does not show the same touch as some of his other work. He also appears to have been told not to get too close to the official party, and the film suffers from a lack of close-ups. But, all the same, the viewer can see the difficulty in trying to capture the extent of a division on parade.
Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, on horseback, with staff, liaison officers, and lancer escort, accompanied by Major General Sir Andrew Russell, the NZ Divisional Commander, inspects the division and takes the salute at the march past. Also present is Winston Churchill, the Minister of Munitions, wearing tweeds.
From notes by Chris Pugsley.