Biography of 'Colonel Arthur E Irvine and Richard Irvine Collection'

Military men and amateur film-makers

Arthur Edmund Stewart Irvine, of Scottish-Irish parentage, was born on 11 April 1880, and was educated at Campbell College, Belfast, Trinity College, Dublin, and Queen's College, Belfast, qualifying with the Irish Conjoint diploma in 1905. Shortly afterwards he joined the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps). He served in France and Belgium during the First World War, and was mentioned four times in dispatches and awarded the D.S.O. He served in Egypt from 1923 to 1929, and in 1934 was promoted to full colonel. From 1934 to 1937 he was assistant director of medical services, Lahore District, and in 1936-7 was honorary surgeon to the Viceroy of India. He was remembered fondly by members of the armed forces as an officer who cared deeply for the welfare of his men.

After he retired from the R.A.M.C. in 1937 he was appointed acting medical superintendent to Dumfries Infirmary, moving to Raigmore Hospital in 1944, retiring finally in 1950 to Canonbury House, Fortrose. He died on 12 January 1968 aged 87. A keen amateur photographer himself, he saw to the provision of "talkies" at least once a week for various wards in the hospital during his superintendency at Raigmore. Friends and family featured in many of his amateur films including his wife Evelyn, daughter Frances and son Richard.

Richard Irvine, was a major, with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB), based in Berwick-upon-Tweed. He served in the Second World War including time in Burma, and preparatory training in India, in 1942-43. He inherited a keen interest in filmmaking from his father, documenting his travels and training overseas and local events at home. A substantial part of this collection includes footage shot on standard 8mm film of KOSB training in Razmak region, India (now close to the modern day Pakistan/Afghanistan border). Richard was also inadvertently on the scene of the Goswick rail crash in Northumberland in 1947 (SSA Film Ref. 8345) with his camera, capturing first-hand amateur footage of a fateful national rail disaster.

Arthur and Richard Irvine’s footage of India in the 1930s and 1940s in the last years of the British Raj in India possesses particular importance due to Indian film from that era being significantly rare. As well as displaying valuable evidence of the lives of the ruling elite, as revealed in the recording of the military wedding (SSA Film Ref. 8324), the Irvines also captured an ethnographic portrayal of India by filming scenes throughout the streets of larger cities and rural areas, giving an insight into the everyday lives of the people of India at this time.

The Irvine family’s status within the military resulted in their association with important people and events. For instance, one film in this collection contained a newsreel of the Coronation of Elizabeth II, which stated on the film can - "professional film (only I am in parts)". This may be a reference to Arthur Irvine, who served as personal physician to Princess Mary in Egypt in the 1920s. The collection holds another significant royal connection in recording the presentation of service medals to injured soldiers after the Second World War by King George VI, accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness (SSA Film Ref. 8336). Films from this era in Arthur Irvine’s life have left a legacy which documents the humour and hard work of staff at a hospital at the time of the establishment of the National Health Service.

This collection was bought privately at auction despite the owners having no connection to the Irvine Family. It was acquired by the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive after featuring on BBC’s Home Movie Roadshow in 2010.

Researcher: Alistair Bell

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

50 hits

Asc Desc
	25th FOOT K.O.S.B. KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS GIVEN FREEDOM OF BERWICK 1947 [8347] Add to my films Amateur footage of preparations for the King's Own Scottish Borderers "Freedom of Berwick" parade and ceremony in 1947, including some title captions.	1947 silent bw
	4th KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS SPORTS [8351] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities of the 4th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers at a base in Halle, Germany, including shots of sports and swimming events, inspection drill and a parade to mark the departure of a commanding officer.	1946 silent bw
	BERWICK AND KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS [8349] Add to my films Amateur footage of King's Own Scottish Borderers soldiers training and shots of the coast near Berwick.	1947 silent col
	BERWICK KOSB - KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS [8346] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities and ceremonies of the King's Own Scottish Borderers in Berwick Barracks and in the town, including shots of the KOSB "Freedom of Berwick" parade and ceremony in 1947 attended by the Duchess of Gloucester.	1947 silent bw
	BOMBAY [8305] Add to my films Amateur footage of a train journey through India and views from a balcony in Bombay (now Mumbai).	1941 silent col
	BRUSSELS / KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS AT HALLE [8350] Add to my films Amateur footage of a 155th Infantry Brigade army sports event, possibly at Halle in Belgium and shots of a visit to Brussels.	1946 silent bw
	BURMA AND NORWAY [8334] Add to my films Amateur footage of British troops in Norway at the end of WW2, relaxing at a fjord and taking part in the National Day parade? after the liberation of Norway.	1945 silent col
	CONVOY, the [8310] Add to my films Amateur footage of military training and a military convoy passing along a mountain road in northern India during WW2.	1941 silent bw
	COUNTRY UNDER SNOW [8320] Add to my films Amateur footage of training exercises and local people around Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent bw
	DATTA O.T.S. OFFICERS' TRAINING SCHOOL - SUNRISE [8302] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities at Datta Officers' Training School in Lahore (?) and street scenes in Lahore, including shots of the Zamzama gun and local architecture.	1941 silent col
	DATTA OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL [8315] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities in and around Datta Officers' Training School in India during WW2.	1941 silent col
	DELHI [8314] Add to my films Amateur footage of streets and buildings of Delhi, including the Red Fort, the Jami Masjid mosque and the Viceral Lodge on the President's Estate.	1941 silent col
	FLEET AT CROMARTY FIRTH [8316] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Royal Yacht Britannia and ships of the Home Fleet passing on the Cromarty Firth.	1957 silent col
	FORTROSE CELEBRATIONS / PLANTING CORN / FORTROSE HARBOUR AND REGATTA [8331] Add to my films Amateur footage of events in the Fortrose area, including the celebration of St. Boniface Fair, the cycle of growing corn on a local farm and brief shots of a regatta.	1954 silent bwcol
	FRANCES AND RICHARD ROMANCE [8340] Add to my films Amateur footage of Irvine family events, including shots of Drum Castle and a passing out parade at Sandhurst, which is edited within the framework of a light-hearted romantic story.	1938 silent bw
	FREEDOM OF BERWICK AND MAYOR'S SUNDAY [8344] Add to my films Amateur footage of the ceremonies and parade for Mayor's Sunday in Berwick, activities at the King's Own Scottish Borderers training centre and the unveiling ceremony of a new plaque on Berwick war memorial.	1947 silent bwcol
	FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT RAIGMORE [8332] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family and their friends and relations at the Irvines' home at Raigmore Hospital or on outings around the neighbouring area.	1950 silent bwcol
	GARDENS - LAHORE [8306] Add to my films Amateur footage of locations and activities in and around Lahore in India, including shots of Shalimar Gardens and shots from a train journey.	1941 silent col
	GERMANY IN RUINS [8325] Add to my films Amateur footage of ruined buildings in Munster and Hamburg in Germany after the end of World War II.	1946 silent bw
	GOSWICK RAILWAY CRASH [8345] Add to my films Amateur footage of the aftermath of the rail crash at Goswick in Northumberland 26th October 1947, with soldiers of the King's Own Scottish Borderers travelling from Berwick Barracks to help in the rescue work.	1947 silent bw
	HADOWS AT COATES HOUSE [8329] Add to my films Amateur footage of people in the house and garden at Coates House near Newburn in Fife.	1950 silent bw
	INDIA [8333] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family in India, including shots of Lahore, the Golden Temple at Amritsar, a forest lumber yard, street and market scenes and trainers with performing animals and birds.	1936 silent bw
	INDIA - LOCALS AT WORK [8323] Add to my films Amateur footage of local people at work in India and British soldiers on bicycle patrol.	1941 silent col
	INDIA - RAZMAK [8312] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities near Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent col
	INDIA 1937 [8341] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family in India, including shots of military parades and a voyage along the Suez Canal.	1937 silent bw
	INDIA KASHMIR [8337] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family in India, including shots of the mountains of Kashmir and local people at work in town and countryside.	1936 silent bw
	INDIA WEDDING MILITARY [8324] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family in India, including shots of a British military wedding and parade.	1937 silent bw
	IRVINE FAMILY AT HOME [8343] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family at home and going on a visit to relations in a farm in the countryside.	1947 silent bwcol
	IRVINE FAMILY TRIP TO DUBLIN [8342] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family on a trip to meet relations in Dublin.	1947 silent bw
	KASHMIR [8319] Add to my films Amateur footage of a journey by car and train from Kashmir into the North West Frontier province of India, including shots of landscape and local people.	1941 silent col
	KASHMIR AND NAGINA BAGH [8328] Add to my films Amateur footage of a leisure journey along a river in northern India, including shots of local people at work on the river bank and in various craft on the river.	1941 silent col
	KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS "FREEDOM OF BERWICK" PARADE [8348] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities at the King's Own Scottish Borderers training centre and in Berwick Barracks and shots of the KOSB "Freedom of Berwick" parade and ceremony in 1947 attended by the Duchess of Gloucester.	1947 silent col
	LAHORE [8308] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities and public buildings in Lahore, India.	1941 silent col
	LUPINS, SUNSETS, LIFTING POTATOES [8318] Add to my films Amateur footage in the Fortrose area of the potato harvest and other local scenes.	1951 silent col
	MAINLY RAIGMORE [8339] Add to my films Amateur footage of social and work activities and occasions around Raigmore Hospital.	1950 silent bw
	POONA - MOSTLY PEOPLE [8309] Add to my films Amateur footage of Poona (Pune) in India, including shots of ornate and art deco-style residential buildings, and local people at work.	1941 silent col
	RAIGMORE [8311] Add to my films Amateur footage of staff and patients at Raigmore Hospital near Inverness.	1948 silent bw
	RAIGMORE - STAFF AND PATIENTS, INJURED SERVICEMEN RECEIVE MEDALS [8336] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities and events at Raigmore Hospital near Inverness in the immediate post-war years, including shots of staff and patients, and a visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to present medals.	1950 silent bwcol
	RAZMAK - MORE CONVOY [8304] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities in and around Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent col
	RAZMAK 1 [8322] Add to my films Amateur footage in winter of soldiers and local people in and around Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent bw
	RAZMAK 2 [8335] Add to my films Amateur footage of activities and events in and around Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent bw
	RAZMAK IN SNOW [8321] Add to my films Amateur footage in winter of soldiers and local people at Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent bw
	RICHARD AND FRANCES NO. 2 [8338] Add to my films Amateur footage of Irvine family events during World War II, particularly Richard Irvine's leave visits home from war duty - includes shots of family homes in Dumfries and at Raigmore Hospital near Inverness.	1947 silent bwcol
	ROAD JOURNEY IN INDIA [8317] Add to my films Amateur footage of a road journey through the North-West Frontier area of India around the start of WW2, including shots of armed local men, landscape and fortifications.	1941 silent col
	SCOTLAND / DUMFRIES DISTRICT INFIRMARY CHILDREN'S WARD [8330] Add to my films Amateur footage of the Irvine family on holiday in Argyll and at the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, and shots of the Dumfries area, including activities at Nithbank Hospital and the Grove Convalescent Home.	1939 silent bw
	SIMLA [8303] Add to my films Amateur footage of Simla and surrounding countryside in winter.	1941 silent col
	SOLDIERS PRACTISING MORTAR FIRE [8313] Add to my films Amateur footage of soldiers practising mortar firing near Razmak army training camp, a base for the King's Own Scottish Borderers, in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1941 silent bw
	SUTHERLAND GRAEME WEDDING [8327] Add to my films Amateur footage of a wedding reception, including shots of the bride, groom and guests drinking champagne and posing for photographs on a lawn. Possibly a member of the Sutherland-Graeme family of Graemeshall, Orkney (?)	1956 silent bw
	TOCHI - JOCKS IN THE NUDE [8307] Add to my films Amateur footage of the King's Own Scottish Borderers on training in Waziristan in the North-West Frontier of India around the start of WW2.	1942 silent col
	WRECKED TOWNS [8326] Add to my films Amateur footage of a bomb-damaged city in Germany at the end of World War II.	1946 silent bw