Fascinating footage of Hartlepool Bombardment unearthed from over 100 years ago
Fascinating film footage of the Bombardment of Hartlepool has been unearthed after a chance find by a historian at a market.
Unseen newsreel footage shows the aftermath of the fateful day on December 16, 1914, when German battleships fired over 1,100 shells on the town, killing 130 people and injuring over 500.
It was discovered by Mark Simmons, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Museums Curator, after he bought a box of broken cameras and lenses for £20 at Tynemouth Market in 2018.
He said: “On getting home, I just took out a few useful pieces and put the rest in storage. It was only later that I got around to sorting through the entire contents.
“In the bottom of the box, wrapped in sheets of old grease-proof paper, was an old film reel and the title card on the first frames – The Attack on the Hartlepools – was just visible.”
Made by the Gaumont Company, it is described as the best quality of any films of bombardment damage and shows areas not captured on film before.
They include Cleveland Street and damage to houses at Carlton Terrace including a close up of women and children in shorts.
Mark has been actively researching the bombardment since 2011, looking for new information for use in museum displays, at events and for memorial purposes.
The film also includes footage of attacks on Scarborough and Whitby.
Mark has donated the film to the North East Film Archive (NEFA), a registered charity that works to connect people and communities to their regional film heritage.
Working with the British Film Institute (BFI) and with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the archive arranged for the fragile nitrate film to be digitised.
Archive manager Graham Relton said: “The World War One Hartlepool film is special, from its chance survival and discovery to its unique historical significance.
“We are delighted to have been able to ensure that the film is preserved for future generations and, importantly, make it accessible to audiences now.”
The restored film can be watched online at: http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/attack-hartlepools