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This clip from a Menzies home movie begins with the Prime Minister’s visit to one of the field hospitals in the Middle East during his trip to meet the troops in 1941. We see nurses, medical staff and injured troops waving at the camera. Another camera, being cranked by its operator, is also shown. A wide shot is followed by a close-up of a camel train against a vast blue sky.
An intertitle then announces the next stops on the Prime Minister’s tour: Palestine, Cairo and Libya. We see Sir Robert meeting military commanders in Palestine before addressing troops of the Australian Imperial Forces 6th Division. The clip ends with a march past and general salute.
Curator’s notes
Prime Minister Menzies visited a number of Army hospitals during his visit to the Middle East. We see a number of nurses, an image of Australian women contributing to the war effort in the field. The fact that Sir Robert also showed a camera being operated reveals his fascination with the medium.
Brief shots of a camel train also reveal Sir Robert’s interest in the local culture. For a moment, the film becomes a typical holiday-maker’s home movie. This image in particular highlights the quality of the 16mm colour film.
As he was introduced to the official party by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander of AIF troops in the Middle East, the Prime Minister uses a series of tight edits and shots from different angles.
When we see the assembled troops, however, a number of wide panning shots are used to reveal the size of the force. Sir Robert was deeply moved by the opportunity to address the troops. He later wrote in his diary, 'It is a moving thing to speak to thousands of young men, mere boys, in the flower of their youth, many of whom will never see Australia again … These men are unbeatable’.
