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