metropolitanpolice

Getty Images have a different photo of a tricolour protest in Trafalgar Square, dated 1922 The protest was for the release of Irish prisoners www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/flag-bearers-hold-th...

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If Feb 1922 (though fashion may be more recent) . . . ."a monster demonstration for the purpose of demanding the release of all Irish political prisioners at present in English jails including the Connaught Rangers was held on Sunday under the auspices of the Irish Self-Determination League of Great Britain. speeches were delivered from three platforms and the Tricolour was displayed around the monument . . . . Art O'Brien . . . . Sean Wickham . . . ." (Weekly Freeman Sat. 18 Feb 1922 Pg. 5)

[Aside] I never knew this: "The column also had a symbolic importance to Adolf Hitler. If Hitler's plan to invade Britain, Operation Sea Lion, had been successful, he planned to move it to Berlin." - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson%27s_Column

From Trove: A large Irish demonstration in Trafalgar-square demanded the release of 180 Irish prisoners who ara still in gaol, on the ground that their retention was at variance with the spirit of the Irish agreement. Article from The Advocate, Melbourne, 16 Feb 1922, in a longer article about Irish News. Doesn't give the date of the protest.

Why so many uniformed men in that crowd? What kind of occasion was that?

@Aldis Putelis. That will be the crowd celebrating the Armistice at the end of WW1, almost all able bodied men were in the services, and therefore in uniform.

It doesn't appear to be Armistice celebrations. The crowd is standing quietly (and still) behind police lines and everyone's looking into Trafalgar Square. Waiting for someone or for something to happen? Interesting to see the press of people on the wall at Charing Cross Station in the background. They seem much keener to see whatever's going on than the people standing on the Strand.

Likely at the visit of President Wilson. ""President Wilson's journey was a triumphal procession from the moment he landed," says the Mail, "and it was real sincere affection and no mere curiosity that brought to his ears the acclamation of the people of London. There have been more excited crowds here, but never crowds that so impressively expressed their warmhearted hospitality."" The Barre daily times., December 27, 1918, Image 1, col. 2 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91066782/1918-12-27/ed-...

The police officers would be attached to Cannon Row Police Station (Alpha Delta). Search above for 'Cannon Row Police Station' for more information about this famous Central London police station. Or here: www.flickr.com/groups/884772@N20/

And yet no known recording of his voice!

This is so fantastic!

Thank you posting these photographs. The date 1940? Looks younger than in other photos of this period (after he had returned from Spain). Is 1940 the photo date or a date on the Metropolitan Police file? What do the stamps say - 'Government of ____ma' ? - India? Burma? Passport photographs? Any other information? Orwell 1922-27 Served with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. Thank you for your help.