Derby is being seen as it was more than 60 years ago - thanks to some extraordinary film footage shot by an American soldier. The soldier in question was Captain William H Nation of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the spring of 1944.  | | Captain William H Nation, 1919-1945 |
The 508th was a parachute outfit encamped at Wollaton park in Nottingham during that period, before they parachuted into Normandy on D-Day. Although the exact reason's for Captain Nation being in Derby remain a mystery, he and some of his colleagues obviously made a day trip to Derby - complete with cine camera! The exact date of the visit is also unknown - but it has been narrowed down. The regiment arrived in Nottingham on 13th March 1944 and remained in the area until, on 29th May, the troopers were informed by their respective commanders that the invasion was imminent and the camp was sealed. So the film dates back to that eight-week period. Much of it shows scenes from Nottingham... but there is a section about two minutes long which shows the Iron Gate and Queen Street area of Derby.  | | Iron Gate, Derby, in 1944 |
Use the link on the right to watch the video and look out for: Derby Cathedral, Dolphin Inn, the now demolished St Alkmund's church, Darley Abbey and, finally, Nottingham Road Cemetery. You'll see the trolley buses that used to traverse the city as well as a tandem and a pony and trap. And we'd love to hear from you if you know of anyone who features in the film. For example, who is the little girl in the blue bonnet? You said: I was 15 in 1944, and can remember the trolley buses, and the times the poles came off the wires , especially when it was frosty. This film brings back so many memories , I wish we had more to see. Looks like it was the Spring time , as the trees were in blossom, how peaceful it all looks, and how things have changed. !! Thank you for letting us see it.
Betty Flint I used to catch the No9 bus from Heanor to Derby,and then the Felix bus to Loco Park ,i was visiting a friend who lived in a house next to the entrance,his father was a gardener at Loco park ,the house had no electricity or gas ,just oil lamps and a coal range incidentley the fare was 9d in old money ,i was 9 or 10 at the time.
Ken Booth Nice to see old footage of where we live, as Derby clips seem to be a bit rare. I would agree with Phil on the date of early to mid April. The time on the church clock looks like five past eleven? The shadows cast are short and would indicate to me at that time that the sun is quite high, and at that time of the year would indicate around mid day,also the direction of the sun appears to come from the South - South West. The ladies walking by have open jackets and dont appear to be that cold. Captain Nation obviously new something about Photography as he kept the Sun appearing over his left or right shoulder as he filmed.The other clues are the lack of leaves on the trees but also off the floor as well as the new buds that are appearing. Finally if shopping was that easy to get around in Derby I would visit the centre more myself.!
Gary Broadhurst Fantastic to see the town just before my birth and particularly that last shot which I believe to be Chaddesden Park Road with the cherry blossom which I remember so well and which can still be seen each May.
sue I'd say you could narrow the filming date down even further. Just look at how bare the trees are. Before half-way through April anyone?
phil butt What a great clip! It’s strange to see colour images of local things from over 60 years ago. You forget that life was actually in colour and not black and white. I wish I could go back in time with my camera to take photos of these locations. Good to see St Alkmund's church with complete spire. The Dolphin Inn looks very drab compared with today. How lucky we are, to be able to live today thanks to those who fought for us in the war! Is there any more of this footage of Derby? Thanks
Andy Savage It's probably early to mid April as the absence of leaves on the trees and blossom indicates this period (pre-global warming!). The buses look familiar, and everything looks neat and tidy - no litter or graffiti! Perhaps our 'esteemed' councillors should look at it and see what we have lost....
Geoff Smith It's amazing that film like this keeps turning up. We should be so grateful that people have recorded a way of life that has gone, sadly in many ways, and never to be repeated.
Paul Miller The period that the 508th were in Nottingham also extends to when they returned from Normandy after D.Day and prior to the jump into Holland on Sept 17th 1944. Looking at the pictures shot in Derby, the people seem to be wearing coats etc that would indicate that this could have been early September.
Tony Rogers I am not old enough to remember 1944,but I was at school in Derby from 1964. The trolly buses were still in operation then and I remember one memorable occasion when a 'naughty 11 year old school-boy' pressed the bell of the bus, before the conductor had got on. She missed her bus, and was seen running up Kedleston road, shouting, "stop that bus". My friends and I found it really funny. Happy Days...
Peter Phillips Absolutly amazing stuff. Quite stark and apparent as Derby's charm, individuallity & decency (illustrated in these brilliant shots) is now being bulldozed away by CityScape and the Derby City Council.
Micky Sheehan What a fascinating look back at the past - how things have changed since the film was made!
Paul | 
