Armistice Diary
A series of 10 minute 'shorts' after Channel 4 news during Armistice week, November 1998.
Historical Advice:
Historical Adviser: Taff Gillingham
These short films were based on the original First World War diary and cartoons of Bandsman Erskine Williams - the grandfather of Nicholas Jones of Quanta Films, Director of the programmes. An actor retraced the steps of Bandsman Williams across France and Flanders, and as there was a great deal of close-up detail, it was important to ensure that the soldier's life was accurately portrayed. Nicholas' mother, Daphne, wrote the story of her father in a book called, 'Bullets and Bandsmen'.
Costume and Props:
We provided the complete uniform, equipment and weaponry for the portrayal. Fortunately, the original sketches drawn by Williams during the War enabled us to pinpoint exactly the right uniform and equipment worn by Williams at the time. The end result was extremely good. There was no scene in which Williams was not completely authentic.