As part of his tour of Bombay (Mumbai, India) Lord Wavell, Viceroy of India, inspects the docks and harbour.

Wavell and entourage, which includes Governor of Bombay Sir John Colville, on Ballard Pier. A Royal Indian Navy gunboat reversing. Wavell goes aboard. A bluff-bowed launch, flying a White Ensign and Union Flag approaches a quay. Wavell steps ashore. Various shots Wavell on dockside. Wavell’s limousine passes through a gate (from the dockyard?) marked ‘Here in Bombay mind what you say!’. More shots of Wavell’s inspection. Wavell gets into his car; a signboard behind advertises canteen services at Ballard Pier for HM Forces and Merchant Navy seamen. Car passing. More shots from the dockyard. Tilt from a large crane to Wavell and party. Wavell’s car arrives and he greeted by Commodore Rattray. Another shot boarding a gunboat. Wavell at the Gateway to India with Rattray and Colville. Departing. Alternative angle Wavell at Gateway and departing. Close-up of the viceregal car, showing a King’s crown, an AA badge and the Rolls-Royce insignia. Wavell inspects a drydock (a vessel, HMM 1286 (?) (HDML 1286?) is seen) A unit of Indian Auxiliary Fire Service on parade; they come up to attention and the commander salutes Wavell. Wavell on the deck of the gunboat. More of Wavell’s inspection. A shot from a moving vehicle showing a motorcycle outrider following (towards the end of this shot the gateway with sign can be seen). Viceregal car arriving at Ballard Pier Hall; Colville and Wavell step out. Meeting people inside the hall; a Great Indian Peninsula Railway ticket office can be seen behind. Further shots Wavell on dockside.

Notes

The dopesheet for this film does not give a shooting date, but passed the Bombay censor on 28 January 1944. A contemporary newspaper report ('Lord Wavell's Bombay Tour', The Times, 25 January 1944, pg 3) gives the date as 24 January. This footage appeared in a February 1944 edition of the Indian News Parade.

Series note: The MWY series of films is believed to be part of a ‘pool’ of film received by the Government of India from various sources, including South East Asia Command, the Indian Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate, the Ministry of Information, and from Allied governments. This footage would have been considered for editing and release through the Indian Newsreel Parade; see INR series.