Festival of Empire

Last updated

View from the Canadian replica Parliament Building of the Festival at the Crystal Palace Festival of Empire 1911 from Candian House.jpg
View from the Canadian replica Parliament Building of the Festival at the Crystal Palace
Map of the event Festival of Empire 1911 Map (cropped).jpg
Map of the event

The 1911 Festival of Empire was the biggest single event held at The Crystal Palace in London since its opening. It opened on 12 May and was one of the events to celebrate the coronation of King George V. The original intention had been that Edward VII would open it in 1910, however, this was postponed after his death shortly before the planned opening day. The Festival contained a display of landscapes and exhibits from the British Empire, mainly the dominion countries, to encourage emigration to those nations; and it contained a large scale pageant dramatising British history. [1] It was described at the time as 'a social gathering of the British family' encouraging the 'firmer welding of those invisible bonds which hold together the greatest empire the world has ever known'. [2] It has since been described as the 'ultimate imperialist propaganda showcase'. [3]

Contents

Context

Robert George Windsor-Clive, first Earl of Plymouth, Conservative government minister managed and promoted the Festival as a sub contracted event; it was nothing to do with the Crystal Palace company which was in receivership at the time. The 1911 Festival of Empire was one of many imperial events staged in the early twentieth century in Britain and around the Empire, following the 1909 Imperial International Exhibition at London's White City and running parallel to the 1911 Delhi Durbar in India and following the 1895 African Exhibition and 1905 Colonial and Indian Exhibition which also took place in Crystal Palace Park. [4] The 1911 Festival of Empire was staged at The Crystal Palace at Sydenham Hill and had similar characteristics to the Great Exhibition, for which the palace was initially built, in that it displayed an array of products and exhibits from countries around the world and promoted a western industrial culture and pro-Empire view of the world.

Festival Design

The 1911 Festival of Empire was a considerable logistical exercise and it exploited much of the latest technology of the time to create a simulation of the landscapes around the British Empire for the British public to experience on home ground. This involved masses of painted canvas and re-landscaped parts of the park.

Buildings

New Zealand replica Parliament Building (based on old New Zealand Parliament Buildings) Festival of Empire 1911 NZ Building.jpg
New Zealand replica Parliament Building (based on old New Zealand Parliament Buildings)
Canadian Building (replica of the original Centre Block in Ottawa) Festival of Empire 1911 Canadian Building.jpg
Canadian Building (replica of the original Centre Block in Ottawa)
South African Building (based on Houses of Parliament, Cape Town) Festival of Empire 1911 S.A Building.jpg
South African Building (based on Houses of Parliament, Cape Town)

At the 1911 Festival of Empire, exhibitions of products from the countries of the Empire were displayed in three-quarter size models of their Parliamentary buildings erected in the grounds, which were: [5]

The buildings were constructed of timber and plaster as they were meant to be temporary. [6] They were linked by an electric tramway called the 'All-Red Route' on which open-sided cars took the visitor on a circular tour of the dominions with typical scenery of each country around the buildings listed above. There were also many other exhibits within the Palace itself.

In all, there were 300 ornate buildings constructed by 7,000 workers, one and half miles of track line laid, a mix of stuffed wild animals and real ones (1,000 real wild Australian rabbits and many Newfoundland fish). Leolyn G Hart, theatre designer, oversaw the whole construction, engaging over 100 painters. [7] The panorama building was adapted into an Indian pavilion, which included displays about Indian history and daily life and an exhibition of new Bengal art works curated by the India Society. [8] It also included an Irish cottage village and an attraction named 'Empire Caves'. [9] [10]

Present day critics would say that exoticism played an integral role in simulating the colonies, especially in the way that colonised peoples were depicted. The colonial exhibits familiarised British men and women with Britain's "newly acquired and distant outpost". Metaphorically, it took British men and women to places they had never seen and, in all likelihood, would never see, as one observer enthused "the East Indian exhibits had the effect of impressing every visitor with the importance to such possessions of Great Britain". [11]

Exhibits on The All-Red Route Train Ride

The buildings of the 1911 Festival of Empire were linked by an electric tramway called the 'All-Red Route' on which open-sided cars took visitors on a circular tour of the 'dominions' with typical scenery of each country. There were displays of so-called "natives at work", including African tribesmen, Malay people constructing houses and Maori villagers. These were people invited to London to act out scenes from their life and work in mocked up environments. [12]  Most Festival visitors would know little or nothing of such people and would not have seen such demonstrations. Some scenes included mannequins to represent some of the people of those colonies, seen by critics today as reinforcing notions of primitivism. [13]

The route is shown in red on the map; the colour red and pink were used to denote the British Empire and its dominions on maps at that time. Bridges over small lakes represented sea voyages between the countries. Some of the cars may be seen in pictures included on this page. Scenes along the route included a South African Diamond Mine and an Indian Tea Plantation, photos of which are included below. There was also "a Jamaican sugar plantation, an Australian sheep farm" and "a jungle 'well stocked with wild beasts'". [14]

Pageant of London

A pageant, organised by 'Master of the Pageants' Frank Lascelles, dramatising the history of London, England and the Empire was held. [15] [16] The first performance of the pageant was on 8 June 1911; in four parts, performed on separate days, it celebrated the 'magnificence, glory and honour of the Empire and the Mother Country'. Music was provided for The Pageant of London by 20 composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge, [17] Cecil Forsyth, Henry Balfour Gardiner, Edward German and Haydn Wood. This was performed by a military band of 50 players and a chorus of 500 voices, [18] directed by W.H. Bell. [19]

The best architects and designers of the day were also engaged in the orchestration of the Pageant, such as Edward Poynter and Aston Webb. [20] [21] The Pageant was so successful that performances were extended from July, when they were due to end, to 2 September, and a number of days were lost or spoilt due to bad weather. [22]

The King's Day with the Children

"The King's Day with the Children" was arranged as part of the Festival for 100,000 children to come to enjoy the Palace and Festival events on one day and meet the King and other members of the royal family. It was also considered a great organisational challenge. The children were chosen by ballot from London schools of all backgrounds. [23]

Inter-Empire Championships

As part of the festival, an Inter-Empire sports championship was held in which teams from Australasia (a combined team from Australia and New Zealand), Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom competed in five athletics events (100 yards, 220 yards, 880 yards, 1 mile and 120 yards hurdles), two swimming events (100 yards and 1 mile), heavyweight boxing and middleweight wrestling. [24] This is regarded as a forerunner of the British Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games), held from 1930. Famous competitors included Stanley Vivian Bacon (from Great Britain), Harold Hardwick (from Australia), Malcolm Champion (from New Zealand), George Hodgson and John Lindsay Tait (both from Canada).

The limited event schedule and four-nation format came in for criticism by the correspondent in the Auckland Star , who described it as not worthy of the title of Empire. [25]

EventGoldSilverBronze
Heavyweight boxing [26] [25] Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Harold Hardwick  (AUS)UndefeatedFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  William Hazell  (GBR)(lost to Hardwick in 2+12 minutes) [27] Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Julius Thompson  (CAN)(lost to Hardwick in first round after 2 minutes, 35 seconds)
100-yard swim [26] [28] Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Harold Hardwick  (AUS)60.6Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  John Derbyshire  (GBR)Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg Johnson (CAN)
One-mile swim [26] [28] [29] Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  George Hodgson  (CAN)25:27.6Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Sydney Battersby  (GBR)(30 yards behind)Flag of New Zealand.svg  Malcolm Champion  (NZL)(retired due to fatigue)
Middleweight Wrestling [26] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Stanley Vivian Bacon  (GBR)UndefeatedCanadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  George Walker  (CAN)(defeated Smythe, lost to Bacon)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  William Smythe  (AUS)(retired after first round defeat to Bacon)

Athletics

Results source. [30] [31]

The team championship in athletics was decided on a points basis, with the countries' finishing position in each race totalling up a combined score. Canada won with the lowest score with eight points, having topped the podium in three of the five events, and was awarded the Inter-Empire trophy by Lord Lonsdale. The United Kingdom ended with nine points and Australasia were third with 13 points. The Australasia team combined New Zealand and Victoria athletes. Three scratch competitions were held alongside the championships proper: a 3/4-mile race, a 300-yard race and a two-mile team race. [32]

Ron Opie ran in both sprints as his teammate, William A. Woodger, took ill before the event and could not compete. [33]

EventGoldSilverBronze
100-yard dash Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Frank Halbhaus  (CAN)10.4 [34] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Duncan Macmillan  (GBR)(one foot behind winner)Flag of New Zealand.svg  Ron Opie  (NZL)(one yard behind runner-up)
220-yard dash Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Frank Halbhaus  (CAN)23.0 [34] Flag of New Zealand.svg  Ron Opie  (NZL)(inches behind winner)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Ernest Haley  (GBR)
880-yard dashFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  Jim Hill  (GBR)1:58.6 [34] Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg  Dad Wheatley  (VIC)(two yards behind winner)Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Mel Brock  (CAN)(two yards behind winner)
Mile run Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  John Tait  (CAN)4:46.2 [34] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Eddie Owen  (GBR)(one yard behind winner)Flag of New Zealand.svg  Guy Haskins  (NZL)(six yards behind winner)
120-yard hurdlesFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  Kenneth Powell  (GBR)16.0 [34] Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg  Frank Lukeman  (CAN)(half a yard behind winner)Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg  Frank Brown  (VIC)(six yards behind runner-up)
1320 yards (scratch) Richard Yorke
London Athletic Club
3:21.2 minutes Arnold Knox
Canada
(eight yards behind winner) Albert Hare
Herne Hill Harriers
300 yards (scratch) Algernon Wells
Herne Hill Harriers
23.4W. T. Wettenhall
Cambridge Athletic Club
(two yards behind winner)F. J. Hoskin
Herne Hill Harriers
(one yard behind runner-up)
Two-mile team race (scratch) Herne Hill Harriers 7 pts South London Harriers 19 pts Essex Beagles 20 pts

The End of the Festival

By the time it closed in October 1911, four to five million people had visited the Festival of Empire, including one million to see the Pageant. However, it clocked up a massive loss of £250,000 – a debt borne by the Festival's private backers not the Crystal Palace Company. Meanwhile, that Company had been in receivership and a date for the auction of the site had been set for 28 November. The Festival might well have been the last dramatic event at the site, before the land was parcelled up and sold off for housing. Fortunately, Lord Plymouth arranged a share offer, including £240,000 from him, to save the site. [35]

Reception

An advertising promotion for the Festival of Empire at the Crystal Palace, running from May to October 1911. The Festival features the Imperial exhibition, the Pageant of London, and many more spectacles, displays and entertainments. 10502806p Fesival of emire flyer.jpg
An advertising promotion for the Festival of Empire at the Crystal Palace, running from May to October 1911. The Festival features the Imperial exhibition, the Pageant of London, and many more spectacles, displays and entertainments.

The event was greatly praised by the newspapers of the day, impressed by its sheer scale and ambition. The Globe newspaper reported in May, 1911, "Nothing like this Festival has been attempted by any nation". The Pall Mall Gazette opined that the grounds were transformed, "Aladin-like into a glittering group of white pavilions, like a cluster of snowy peaks recast in molds of beauty and geographical significance". The Daily Telegraph reported, "never before... has the home-keeping Londoner been afforded the opportunity of realising... the varied aspect of different parts of the Empire".

Present day critics question the 1911 Festival of Empire, and other such colonial events, regarding their depiction of the colonies and colonised people. This has been critically examined in relation to the 1851 Great Exhibition and the way in which it 'othered' colonised ethnic groups to strengthen British national identity. [36]

Although the 1911 Festival of Empire claimed to be an opportunity to admire and seek amusement in "the charms, the wealth and the wonders of the Empire that girdles the globe [37] " – as written in the official flyer – in recent years questions around the mode of ethics in which it showcased the "dominions" have been questioned. It was an event promoting “Firmer welding of invisible bonds which hold together the greatest empire in the world” [ citation needed ], yet other accounts recognise that there were underlying tensions and antipathies and that the festival did little to bridge the gap between the classes.

The 1911 Festival of Empire, and other such events at the Crystal Palace, served to both integrate and segregate as it reflected and reinforced hierarchies [38] not only within British society, but also served as a facilitator to the upholding of primitivism and the inaccurate representation of people from the "Orient", the continent of Africa and Oceania.

The use of exhibitions where "human models were arranged into visual narratives that Latham deemed representative of their ethnic traits", promoted and reinforced ideas of what it looked like to be from Africa or India, and these people were commonly described as primitives and cannibals being "saved" by the act of colonisation. As written in 'Exhibiting the Empire: Cultures of Display', [39] the visitors "were encouraged to compare themselves with the peoples on display and note their progress from the relatively lowly states of the human race".

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commonwealth Games</span> Multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, which mostly consists of territories of the former British Empire. The event was first held in 1930 and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, has successively run every four years since. The event was called the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams since 2002, making the Commonwealth Games the first fully inclusive international multi-sport event. In 2018, the Games became the first global multi-sport event to feature an equal number of men's and women's medal events, and four years later they became the first global multi-sport event to have more events for women than men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Crystal Palace</span> Former building originally in Hyde Park, London, 1854 relocated to Sydenham, South London

The Crystal Palace was a cast iron and plate glass structure, originally built in Hyde Park, London, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. The exhibition took place from 1 May to 15 October 1851, and more than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in its 990,000 square feet (92,000 m2) exhibition space to display examples of technology developed in the Industrial Revolution. Designed by Joseph Paxton, the Great Exhibition building was 1,851 feet (564 m) long, with an interior height of 128 feet (39 m), and was three times the size of St Paul's Cathedral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Exhibition</span> 1st Worlds Fair in 1851 in London, England

The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition or the Crystal Palace Exhibition, was an international exhibition that took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was the first in a series of World's Fairs, exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century. The event was organised by Henry Cole and Prince Albert, husband of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Palace National Sports Centre</span> Sports centre in London, England

The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and outdoor athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace Exhibition building which had been destroyed by fire in 1936, and is on the same site as the former FA Cup Final venue which was used here between 1895 and 1914.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominion of New Zealand</span> Period of New Zealands history from 1907 to 1947

The Dominion of New Zealand was the historical successor to the Colony of New Zealand. It was a constitutional monarchy with a high level of self-government within the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franco-British Exhibition</span> Exhibition (Worlds Fair) held in London

The Franco-British Exhibition was a large public fair held in London between 14 May and 31 October 1908. It was the first in the series of the White City Exhibitions. The exhibition attracted 8 million visitors and celebrated the Entente Cordiale signed in 1904 by the United Kingdom and France. The chief architect of the buildings was John Belcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1873 Vienna World's Fair</span> International exhibition of the 19th century

The 1873 Vienna World's Fair was the large world exposition that was held from 1 May to 31 October 1873 in the Austria-Hungarian capital Vienna. Its motto was "Culture and Education".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Empire Exhibition</span> Colonial exhibition held in 1924 and 1925

The British Empire Exhibition was a colonial exhibition held at Wembley Park, London England from 23 April to 1 November 1924 and from 9 May to 31 October 1925.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II</span> 50th anniversary of the monarchs accession

The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration held in 2002 marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50 years as monarch and an opportunity for her to officially and personally thank her people for their loyalty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire Exhibition, Scotland</span> 1938 international exhibition in Glasgow, Scotland

The Empire Exhibition was an international Exhibition held at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Scotland, from May to December 1938.

The Pageant of Empire was the name given to various historical pageants celebrating the British Empire which were held in Britain during the early twentieth century. For example, there was a small Pageant of Empire at the town of Builth Wells in 1909. In 1911 a giant Pageant of Empire took place at the Festival of Empire at the Crystal Palace in Sydenham, where thousands of amateur performers acted out historical scenes. The most notable was the Pageant of Empire which took place in London in 1924.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athletics at the 1930 British Empire Games</span> International athletics championship event

At the 1930 British Empire Games, the athletics events were held at the Civic Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The programme featured 21 men's events, with all measurements being done in imperial units.

A dominion was any of several largely self-governing countries of the British Empire. Progressing from colonies, their degrees of colonial self-governance increased unevenly over the late 19th century through the 1930s, and some vestiges of empire lasted in some areas into the late 20th century. With the evolution of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations, finalised in 1949, the dominions became independent states, either as commonwealth republics or commonwealth realms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry</span>

The International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry was the first of 4 international exhibitions held in Glasgow, Scotland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It took place at Kelvingrove Park between May and November 1888. The main aim of the exhibition was to draw international attention to the city's achievements in applied sciences, industry and the arts during the Industrial Revolution. However, it was also hoped the Exhibition would raise enough money for a much-needed museum, art gallery and school of art in the city. The exhibition was opened by the Prince of Wales, as honorary president of the exhibition, on 8 May 1888. It was the greatest exhibition held outside London and the largest ever in Scotland during the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Donne</span>

Thomas Edward Donne (1860–1945) was a New Zealand civil servant, author, recreational hunter and collector of Māori antiquities and New Zealand fine art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry</span>

The Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry was held in Glasgow in 1911. It was the third of 4 international exhibitions held in Glasgow, Scotland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Bristol International Exhibition was held on Ashton Meadows in the Bower Ashton area of Bristol, England in 1914. The exhibition which had been planned since 1912 was a commercial venture and not fully supported by the civic dignitaries of the city which caused difficulties raising the funds needed. Most of the construction of the venues was from wooden frames covered by plasterboard and occurred in just 2 months prior to opening. It opened on 28 May 1914 was closed on 6 June. Further funding was raised and the exhibition reopened, but continued to struggle with lower than expected attendance and, following several court hearings, finally closed on 15 August just after the outbreak of World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Sharpley</span> New Zealand track and field athlete

Philip Francis Sharpley was a New Zealand track and field athlete who represented his country at the 1938 British Empire Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1895 African Exhibition</span> Event at The Crystal Palace in London

The 1895 African Exhibition at The Crystal Palace was an instance of a human zoo in London. The colonial exhibition presented around eighty people brought from Somalia along with two-hundred African animals.

The 1905 Colonial and Indian Exhibition took place at the Crystal Palace in London and is reported to have been larger and more popular than the 1895 African Exhibition and the most direct forerunner of the 1911 Festival of Empire, two other colonial events that took place at the same site.

References

  1. Piggott, J.R. (1988). Palace of the People: The Crystal Palace at Sydenham 1854 – 1936. London: Hurst & Company. pp. 174–8.
  2. "Festival of Empire, 1911 | Making Britain". open.ac.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. mark (29 July 2016). ""Let's go to the Colonies!": The Festival of Empire at the Crystal Palace, 1911". In the Jungle of Cities. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. Auerbach, Jeffrey (2015). Empire Under Glass: The British Empire and the Crystal Palace, 1851-1911. Manchester University Press. pp. 129–130.
  5. "Victorian Station". Victorianstation.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  6. "1911 Crystal". Studygroup.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  7. Green, Alin (1911). "The Festival of Empire: Britannia's Universal Pageant". The Windsor Magazine: 98–108.
  8. The Open University. "Festival of Empire, 1911".
  9. The Official Guide to the All Red Route: The Festival of Empire, Crystal Palace, 1911. Bemrose and Sons Ltd. 1911.
  10. Finding, Susan (1 December 2011). "London 1911 : celebrating the imperial". Observatoire de la société britannique (11): 21–37. doi:10.4000/osb.1178. ISSN   1775-4135.
  11. McAleer & MacKenzie, John & John (2015). "Cultures of Display the British Empire" (PDF). Cultures of Display the British Empire: 1–18.
  12. The Official Guide to the All Red Route: The Festival of Empire, Crystal Palace, 1911. Bemrose and Sons Ltd. 1911.
  13. McAleer & MacKenzie, John & John. "Exhibiting the Empire – Cultures of Display and The Empire" (PDF). Exhibiting the Empire – Cultures of Display and the Empire.
  14. McAleer & MacKenzie, John & John (2015). "Exhibiting the Empire: Cultures of Display and the British Empire" (PDF).
  15. "Crystal Palace Park". Cocgb.dircon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  16. D.S. Ryan 'Staging the imperial city: the Pageant of London, 1911' in Imperial Cities: Landscape, Display and Identity, eds. F. Driver & D. Gilbert, Manchester University Press, 1999, pp. 117-135
  17. Hindmarsh, Paul (1982). Frank Bridge: A Thematic Catalogue, 1900–1941. London: Faber Music. pp. 69–70.
  18. Mitchell, Jon C. (2001). A Comprehensive Biography of Composer Gustav Holst with Correspondence and Diary Excerpts, Including His American Years. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press. p. 93. ISBN   0-7734-7522-2.3
  19. Richards, Jeffrey (2001). Imperialism and music: Britain 1976-1953. Manchester University Press: p. 190
  20. Piggott, J.R. (1988). Palace of the People: The Crystal Palace at Sydenham 1854 – 1936. London: Hurst & Company. p. 177.
  21. Festival of Empire, The Pageant of London Guide, Imperial Exhibition and Pageant of London, Crystal Palace, 1911, official daily programme. London: Bemrose and Sons Ltd. 1911.
  22. Richards, p. 193
  23. Hussey, Sir Edward (1911). The King's Day with the Children.
  24. Commonwealth Games Medallists. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014-05-31.
  25. 1 2 EMPIRE SPORTS. Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 198, 21 August 1911. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  26. 1 2 3 4 New Zealanders in – The Empire Games – Specially written for the “N.Z. Railways Magazine”. The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 12 (1 March 1938.). Retrieved on 2014-05-31.
  27. Commemorative Medals. Baldwin Auctions. Retrieved on 2018-03-24.
  28. 1 2 FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE. The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954). Mon 3 July 1911. Page 5. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  29. EMPIRE SPORTS. Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1533, 3 July 1911. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  30. Inter-Empire Championships at the Festival of Empire, Crystal Palace, London, On June 24. Otago Witness (16 August 1911), pg. 45. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  31. THE EMPIRE SPORTS. Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  32. Inter-Empire Championships. The Nicola Valley News (1911-07-14), pg. 4. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  33. ATHLETICS–TRACK AND FIELD OLYMPIADS AND EMPIRE GAMES. Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 Commonwealth Games Medallists – Athletics (men). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014-05-31.
  35. The London Daily News. 20 November 1911.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. Grasme, Tamina (2018). "How the display of 'otherness' at the Great Exhibition in 1851 created a national identity in Britain". How the Display of 'otherness' at the Great Exhibition in 1851 Created a National Identity in Britain.
  37. "Mary Evans Picture Gallery". Mary Evans Picture Gallery.
  38. Auerbach, Jeffrey. "The Great Exhibition and Historical Memory" (PDF). The Great Exhibition and Historical Memory.
  39. McAleer & MacKenzie, John & John. "Exhibiting the Empire – Cultures of Display" (PDF). Exhibiting the Empire – Cultures of Display.

51°25′16″N0°04′19″W / 51.421°N 0.072°W / 51.421; -0.072