THE END OF A WELL FOUGHT WAR : the Peace Procession 1919 [Main Title]

The British Peace Procession, marking the end of the First World War, through the streets of London, 19th July 1919.

The first third of the film is badly jumbled and shows repeated shots of the naval contingent (including the Royal Marines) led by Admiral Sir David Beatty, passing through Admiralty Arch and about to enter Whitehall. This is followed by the Australian contingent marching past a saluting pavilion specially constructed for the King outside Buckingham Palace. Soldiers of various nations march past the Cenotaph in Whitehall (in fact a specially constructed dummy, the stone pillar was not installed until two years later) including American, Belgian, Japanese and Italian contingents. Two Medium D tanks pass very close to the camera. The various women's contingents, including the WAAC, WRNS and FANY, pass under Admiralty Arch. They are followed by Sea Scouts, Canadians, Australians, British bands, colours, and 60-pounders of the Royal Garrison Artillery. The Portuguese contingent marches past the Cenotaph, followed by the French (?) Cavalry contingent, the Greek (?) contingent, the Italian contingent and the White Russian contingent, and by more Frenchmen. (At this point the film becomes extremely disjointed again.) A band of Royal Marines coming through Admiralty Arch. The Australian band marching past Buckingham Palace. Royal Marines passing through Admiralty Arch, followed by Field Marshal Haig with a mounted escort, and by various British contingents. In the saluting pavilion outside Buckingham Palace are King George V, the Queen, Lloyd George, Foch, Weygand and Pershing. There are more views of the procession, including WAACs marching past the saluting base. The film finally breaks up into the naval contingent again coming through Admiralty Arch.

35mm