Three newsreel stories shot by the Canadian Army Film Unit. The first, show by James Campbell and George A. Cooper in Ortona, Italy, shows Canadian soldiers of the Italian campaign, members of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, who gather to pay tribute to their comrades fallen in battle. The service is conducted by H. Major E.J. Bailey, formerly with the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Winnipeg. The sequence of scenes is as follows: men of the regiment march to the cemetery; men lining up at cemetery; three shots of band playing O Canada; graves; Lieutenant Colonel reading service; H. Major Bailey at altar; men at prayer; Bailey speaking; graves; men listening; graves; Bailey and Lieutenant Colonel at altar during one minute silence; close-up of grave of Lieutenant E.E. Allen, known in Edmonton sports circles as Buddy Allen; close-up of men in ranks; shadows on grave; and longshot of cemetery. ~The second newsreel story, shot by Sergeant Duke DeWest, entitled ART AMID WAR RUINS, is about war artist Captain C.F. Comfort of Toronto, attached to the Historical Section of the Canadian Army, who paints scenes of the devastation wrought by tanks, grenades and heavy artillery. Captain Comfort is pictured setting up his easel and at work on a canvas depicting one of the towns captured by Canadian troops on the Italian front.~The third newsreel story, filmed at San Vito, Italy, by Sergeant Ernest DeGuire, entitled CANADIANS WIN DECORATIONS FOR ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS, is about the 78 men of the First Canadian Division who are presented with various decorations for meritorious service on the Italian front, at ceremonies presided over by Lieutenant General Sir Oliver Leese, KCB, CBE, DSO, Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eighth Army. The town of San Vito was virtually given over in its entirety to the ceremony which was witnessed by hundreds of members of the Division. General Leese, accompanied by Lieutenant General H.D.G. Crerar and Major General Vokes, DSO, presents the decorations which included the award of the DSO to two members of the division. General Leese congratulates each man and asks numerous questions of the decorated men. Following the presentation he speaks with Canadians who served with the 8th Army on the Italian front. The sequence of scenes is as follows: Army Commander with General Vokes and Corps Commander on parade; spectators on balcony; Brigadiers B.J. Hoffmeister and A.B. Matthews, two DSO candidates, come on parade; longshot of square; close-up of General Vokes who reads out names of soldiers receiving awards; Lieutenant Colonel C.B. Ware, PPCLI, receiving DSO; close-up of gallery; Brigadier A.B. Matthews, CRA1, IMP, Div., receives DSO; group of officers at rear of army commander; longshot of square, with recipients of awards marching to and from platform; high shot of Medical Corps member receiving award (no name given); group of spectators on balcony, including two Canadian nurses stationed at St. Vito; Military Medal being awarded to Lance Corporal S.C. Butterick of the PPCLI; Military Medal awarded to A/Corporal F. Webster of the Seaforths; Military Medal awarded to Private N. Kowalchuk of the RCR; Military Cross award to Captain J. Dougan of the L. Edmonton Regiment; Award to CSM G.R. Keeler of the 48th Highlanders; award to Private J.W. Marshall of the W.S. N.R., M.M.; award to Sergeant E.W. Savage of the C.Y.R., M.M.; award to Lance Corporal D.H. Maxwell of the 48th Highlanders; and longshot of looking through ranks at presentations.
