In Which We Serve
Date: 1942
Director: Noël Coward & David Lean
Production Company: Two Cities Films
Stars: Noël Coward, John Mills, Kay Walsh, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson, Joyce Carey, Derek Elphinstone, Michael Wilding, Robert Sansom, Philip Friend, Chimmo Branson, Ballard Berkeley, Hubert Gregg, James Donald, Michael Whittaker
Location(s): County Durham, Devon, London
Region(s): London H-L, North, South West
Storyline:
Noel Coward co-directed, wrote and starred in this patriotic World War II drama about a destroyer, told through flashbacks and the reminiscences of the surviving crew after their beloved ship is torpedoed.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Dave Wilson.
Jimmy Snow, special effects technician, for whom we have a fulsome summary of his career written by his granddaughter Brigitte, together with her memories of him, worked on this film. All that she has shared with us can be read here.
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Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 18 Jan 2026
This is a tale about a ship. Richard Sewell confirms the location as Hawthawn Leslies at Hebburn on the River Tyne in County Durham where HMS Kelly was built adding that the Mauretania Gantry can be seen top left across the river at the Swan Hunter shipyard in Wallsend.
Site visitor Tony Leighton has taken a couple of recent location photos. In this shot he shows the site of the former Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard in the foreground which has now been cleared for development. Tony also notes that this 'now' shot also shows the site of Segudunum Roman Fort and Museum on the opposite side of the river in Wallsend which includes the site of Davis Street as seen in Capture 6 from 'On The Night Of The Fire'.
- Capture 2
- 18 Jan 2026
The ship is launched. Hawthawn Leslies at Hebburn identified by Richard Sewell. The shipyard closed in 1982.
Tony Leighton shows another recent location image of the cleared ship building site. He also points out that the site of the Wallsend Ferry landing on the opposite side of the river is as featured in 'Get Carter', Captures 76 and 87.
- Capture 3
- 25 Sep 2022
Ordinary Seaman Shorty Blake (John Mills) and Freda Lewis (Kay Walsh) got to know each other on the train that now pulls into, presumably, Paddington in London. Station location needs clarification. Dave W has clarified this as Paddington Station with full supporting evidence and a lightened capture showing the supporting pillars between Platforms 7 and 8, at that time. (RL)
Paddington's platform 8 today. SJ
- Capture 4
- 25 Oct 2018
Whilst on their honeymoon, 'Shorty' Blake and Freda sit overlooking Plymouth Hoe. Smeaton's Tower is to the left. It can also be seen in the 1982 film 'Remembrance' and glimpsed in the 1965 film 'The Uncle'.
Bench has gone but there are pretty flags instead!
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Freda Lewis (Kay Walsh) & Mrs. Kath Hardy (Joyce Carey) have said the goodbyes to their chaps and walk away from the Naval gate. Some internet sources claim this was filmed in front of Devonport's original main entrance, the Keyham Dock Gate, in Plymouth. However I think it looks like a studio shot. As the camera moves at various points in the scene, the sky in the background through the gate doesn't seem to move. This would indicate it is probably a translight (a large illuminated film backing typically used as a backdrop), rather than a real location. Plus the ground layout seems to be totally flat, which as the real location is not quite as universally level.