Film of naval activities during the Coronation Day celebrations in various parts of the Far East and elsewhere, 2nd June 1953.

(Part 1) HMS Unicorn in Singapore; public tours ship. (Part 2) Military parade in Kowloon, Hong Kong, Commodore First Class Hong Kong Dickenson officiating. Arrival of Naval and Royal Marines detachments, and of Commodore Hong Kong. Marchpast (ratings of HMS Birmingham, Charity and Consort): Commodore Dickenson takes the salute. Church service at HMS Tamar shore base, address by Commodore Hong Kong. Splicing the mainbrace at Tamar - toasting the Queen. Start of Chinese dragon procession. (Part 3) Bermuda: general views including Fort Catherine and Devil's Hole. (Part 4) Warwick Academy and Purvis School - presentation of medals etc. Bernard Park Parade. Entrance to city. Mayor receives HE the Governor; cathedral service - Governor arrives in carriage and enters cathedral; seen (with Lady Hood) greeting guests. (Part 5) Jesselton, North Borneo. HMS Maenad. Water sports at wharf: fishermen of Brunei and Bajau contest in 4 and 8 paddle races; Duck Race (with live ducks/sand martins); canoe tug-of-war. Flypast of Sunderlands from Seletar, Singapore, watched by Borneo locals. Procession of floats and decorated vehicles. Land sports on the Padang Jesselton: high jump, flagpole competition with local boy scouts. Sailors in fancy dress from HMS Maenad attempt ladies' high jump. (Part 6) Malta. Archbishop Sir Michael Gonzi of Malta celebrates Mass at Floriana and administers Holy Communion to the 10,000 schoolchildren present, assisted by Monsignors Mifsud and Ghigo and priests. March of 5,000 schoolchildren down Kingsway, Valletta, to the Palace Square. (All schools, British and Maltese, represented.) Displays by Sliema and Msida Girl's Schools in Square are watched by the 5,000. General views. State Ball at the Palace, given by Mr Trafford Smith (Officer administering the Government). CU of Governor on throne. Guests dancing. Arrival of composite guard from Floriana Parade Ground through Kingsway to St John's Square; state entry of Mr Smith; arrivals of Greek and Turkish Admirals and Mr Smith; Governor inspects guard; shots of church and crowds; arrival of NATO staff (US, French and Italian) and march on of composite guard; shots of crowds and procession. Panning shots of Grand Harbour at night, showing illuminated buildings (Fort Ricasoli, RN Hospital, Bighi, Fort St Angelo) and ships in harbour. Firework display. Air views of Grand Harbour and coastline around Valletta. CUs of Palace Square, Kingsway and plaque commemorating the award of the George Cross to Malta by King George VI. (Parts 7 and 8) Malta continued (additional details in dockets CNI 456/53 [Part 4] and CNI 19/53).

Notes

Summary: cataloguing incomplete since film has not been viewed - information is taken from CNI series records.

Locations: Jesselton is now Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian province of Sabah.