J. Edwards Barker

The Boatswain’s Mate, which appeared in WW Jacobs’ 1905 short story collection ‘Captains All’, tells of an ex-boatswain (Johnny Butt) who is eager to win the hand of the local pub landlady. He bribes an ex-soldier to stage a house-breaking, so that he can win her in a heroic last-minute rescue. The plan begins to unravel when the ‘burglar’ (Victor McLaglen) and his victim (Florence Turner) are instantly smitten. It’s the feisty shotgun-wielding landlady, who triumphantly puts the boatswain in his place. BFI

Lonely young Lord Billy, who misses his dear departed mother, has nothing to do but lounge about the castle all day while his father, the Earl, attends to important affairs of state – until the noble lad joins the Army Cadets. Rising through the ranks to become the Lance Corporal of his squad, patrolling undefended points along the English coast, he's soon on the trail of German marauders.