1919 Peace Celebrations in Hobart at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets

This whole roll of film consisting of eight 6x9 cm frames was shot from the same spot during Peace Celebrations in Hobart following the end of World War I. The location was identified as the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Liverpool Street. This photograph included a fragment of Bank of Van Diemen's Land Building that once adorned the corner of those streets. The photographer was across Liverpool Street from the building. The viewpoint was quite high, it is possible that the person taking the pictures had to climb a pole, a building or some other structure. Unfortunately, none of these buildings survived to present day and old photographs have to be consulted to further clarify the position of the camera. The car in front of the photographer might be the same vehicle, with the registration number 5570, that appeared on several other images.

There is no doubt that the event captured here is the Peace Celebrations on the 19th of July, 1919. Libraries Tasmania have a glass negative titled 1919 Peace Celebrations, Hobart - parade of nurses past the General Post Office, Elizabeth Street attributed to Cecil Percy Ray. The General Post Office was about 200 metres away from the Bank of Van Diemen's Land Building. The banners of Breamar Circle, Crescent Circle, Claremont Branch and St. David's Circle are clearly visible on both Cecil Ray's photograph and this image.

Another image made by James Chandler was taken at the end of Liverpool Street and shows the same procession. It appears the parade proceeded on Elizabeth Street and then turned into Liverpool Street as could be seen on this photograph showing a different part of the procession.

Unfortunately, the film was cut into individual frames which were mixed with other negatives in the box, thus the correct order of the images is unknown. Most likely, the first shot was the one with the mounted police and pipers. This might be followed by the military band. The standard bearer and officers could come next, with the rest of the army column and navy following.