Bill Applebee Jean Applebee
I was a member of the PT team. It is great to see the photograph and I am second from the left in the back row. (See more….)
The film was shot, if I remember correctly, in the gymnasium of the London University and it was for the 'Keep Britain Fit Campaign'.
I recall that the Minister of Health was there with a gentleman who I thought was the Minister of Education who, according to Vic, is the President of the Board of Education.
I recall clearly that one was tall and the other short.
Mr. Williams took us to other a few other venues but these are not recalled. One thing that I remember clearly is that when changing into our kit prior to any demonstration we always were given a large jar of Brylcreem (about the size of a 7-lb sweet jar) which was slapped on by the handful! The kit, as can be seen in the photograph was minimal being just slippers and shorts. The shorts were also minimal coming in two sizes, having eight or ten inch outside legs.
They got commented on, as there were some big lads in the team.
The Group consisted of four teams of eight boys: a demonstration was timed to last thirty minutes. However, for the film Mr. Williams had to reduce this to eleven minutes. No doubt the filmmakers got their scissors out. I expect the time is remembered, as it was most important that everyone concentrated and made no mistakes in the one take.
I have just emailed Gaumont British today enquiring if they have by chance got a copy of film and will advise the outcome.
I am also in the Class photograph of 1934, being in the third row, fifth to the left of Mr. Protheroe, with open next shirt.
Kind regards,
Bill Applebee
Bill Applebee at Camp Walmer 1934
