Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends

William Craven-Ellis records the antics of family and friends in his garden, on the beach and in and around Southampton

William Craven-Ellis' joyful family film, made with his daughter Mrs D Campbell, shows jollity amongst the well-to-do of the 1930s. We see attempts to 'Loop-a-Roo', beach scenes at Branksome Chine followed by tea in the family beach hut. After a trip to the Isle of Wight family members enjoy their first trip by air on the ill-fated Cloud of Iona. More scenes of the family in the garden with their children and dogs follow after which we say bon voyage to Sir Enoch Hill and family.

William Craven-Ellis was the Conservative MP for Southampton from 1931 until the General Election of 1945. His home-movie, made with his daughter, Mrs D Campbell, captures some interesting scenes, machines and people. The amphibious aircraft in which his family took their first flight, was a Saro A19 Cloud, registered G-ABXW Cloud of Iona. This aircraft crashed in mysterious circumstances off Jersey on the night of 31 July 1936 killing all ten on board. The home-movie also features Sir Enoch Hill and members of his family as they prepare to set sail for the United States on board a liner, presumably at Southampton. Sir Enoch was at one time president and general manager of the Halifax Building Society.