3-062-962 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Portrait of Walter Bird in civilian clothing, at RAF Iver Heath, Pinewood Studios, Iver, Buckinghamshire, 1942-1943. Walter Bird (1903-1969) was a British photographer who, prior to WW2, was establishing a career in portrait photography. During the war, Bird worked for the Crown Film Unit, which was stationed at Pinewood Studios, where he worked in the Stills Department. Following on from the war, he re-established his photographic business at 46 Queen's Gate, and would later become the official photographer for the National Photographic Record, and an elected member of the Royal Photographic Society. Pinewood Studios - or RAF Iver Heath - was used as the base during WW2 for the Royal Air Force Film Production Unit, the Crown Film Unit, and the Army Film and Photographic Unit. The studios were used to produce both films advocating the role of the armed forces in the war, and documentary films, recording the progress of the war. Dorothy 'Knicky' Chapman was posted to Pinewood Studios to serve as a WAAF with the RAF's Film Production Unit, working in the Stills Department. This photograph is one of a set compiled by Chapman, which document her time at Pinewood Studios. It is not clear which ones in the set were taken by Chapman.