Empire Day (1914-1919)

Children celebrate Empire Day; 1919 with Peace Pageant; etc. (May Day). (1 of several 1919 Empire Day stories). Pan left over crowd of children. Then children do a hopping; skipping dance round in a circle in 3’s; with 2 at the back holding ends of a rope stretched round in front of the waist of the 1 in front - like reins almost. Children in costumes as nurses or soldiers (some girls are soldiers too); other children in background watch. Young children - about age 5 - 7 - dance round the maypole; all in white or light clothing. They march in 2’s round pole. Then they weave in & out; some bumping into each other. Then do a funny jogging step MS group of children in tableau pose; motionless - well; nearly. Girl in centre is Britannia. Boys in helmets etc.; 2 little girls in foreground in white; one with giant bow in hair like bunny ears. Standing on a ladder or something at the back; behind a black screen; is a girl in white gown with the word ’PEACE’ on the front; she holds up ends of big skirt