Photographs of scenes capturing some of London's most iconic landmarks offer a valuable snapshot into life in the city during the First World War.

Explore a rich selection of photographs from IWM's collection, detailing scenes from the First World War in London including Buckingham Palace, Charing Cross Hospital, Hyde Park, Piccadilly, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.

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1. Buckingham Palace at the outbreak of war

Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace on the outbreak of War, 1914.

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2. Troops leaving Hyde Park on a route march

Men of the 9th Battalion, London Regiment leaving Hyde Park on a route march in December 1914.

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3. 'Quiet for the Wounded' sign outside Charing Cross Hospital

A large sign requesting 'Quiet for the Wounded' hangs outside Charing Cross Hospital at Agar Street, London, in September 1914. Heavy traffic has been diverted to minimise noise in the street.

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4. Mrs Albert Broom, 'Official Photographer to the Guards'

Mrs Albert Broom is photographed by her daughter with her hand raised and displays her camera and examples of her photographs at a stand at the Women's War Work Exhibition, Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May 1916.
© IWM HU 51891
Mrs Albert Broom photographed by her daughter as she displays her camera and examples of her photographs at a stand at the Women's War Work Exhibition, Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May 1916.

Christina Broom, self-proclaimed 'Official Photographer to the Guards', photographed by her daughter as she displays her camera and examples of her photographs at the Womens War Work Exhibition, Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May 1916. Find out more about Christina Bloom and her First World War photos in this excellent blog post from the Museum of London.

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5. Sailors outside the Royal Institute of Painters, Piccadilly

Sailors unloading pictures outside the Royal Institute of Painters, Piccadilly.

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6. Fire in Piccadilly

Fire in Piccadilly near Exhibition of Naval Photographs, the scene from Sackville Sheet.

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7. American troops parade down Piccadilly

The Forces at Home: American troops in England. A parade with the Stars and Stripes carried in front down Piccadilly in London.

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8. Air raid damage near St Paul's Cathedral

A view of the roof of the General Post Office, looking across to St Paul's Cathedral in the background, showing piles of salvaged materials and debris piled on the roof following a raid which occurred on 7 July 1917. This was the second daylight aeroplane raid on London and the damage was caused by a 15 kilogram bomb.

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9. Bomb damage outside the Bedford Hotel on Southampton Row

A group of people stand outside the Bedford Hotel on Southampton Row to watch at men at work beside a large crater. The damage was caused by a 50 kilogram bomb during a Gotha raid on the night of 24 - 25 September 1917.

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10. Tank in Trafalgar Square

A tank in Trafalgar Square during the war bonds appeal, November - December 1917.

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11. Captured German gun in the Mall

Captured German 135mm gun exhibited in the Mall.

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12. Captured German gun with a damaged muzzle in the Mall

Captured German gun with damaged muzzle exhibited in the Mall, London.

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13. Trafalgar Square during Joy Loan Campaign

Trafalgar Square during Joy Loan Campaign, a post-war funding scheme.

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14. President Wilson arriving at the Mansion House

President and Mrs Woodrow Wilson arriving in a horse drawn carriage at the Mansion House, London.

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15. Crowd in Pall Mall

Crowd in Pall Mall greeting Sir Douglas Haig on his arrival in England, 19 December 1918.

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