Figure 1.--This 1924 Stereoview of the British Empire Exhibition shows the children's pool and lake. The children's pool was at the east end if the lake, opposite the Palace of Engineering/Industry which can be seen in the background. Notice the attendant in the middle of the boats to maintain good order. Noricevhoeb mist of the boys are wearing their caps.

The British Empire Exhibition was called a 'colonial exhibition'. This is not entirely correct. By this time the Doiminions (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa) were basically independnt and India has been given a degree of home rule. The rest of the Empire was, however, a huge colonial structure. The Exhibition was held at Wembley Park (April 1924 to October 1925) in northwest London. Before the Exhibition, Wembly was best known for the pleasure gardens created by Sir Edward Watkin (1890s). Of coure Wembley is best known today for Wembley Stadium, the home of England's national football team and the largest British stadium by capacity. The British Empire League had for some time been trying to organize a empire exhibition along the lines of a world's fair. The original Wembley Stadium was built in advance of the exhibition (1923) and would play an important role in the Empire Exhibition. A British Empire Exhibition had first been proposed at the turn of the 20th century. The Empire at the time was at its peak and the League wanted to show it off in all its glory. The Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) had interfered with the first plan. And World War I (1914-18) had redered the second impossible. A low key Festival of Empire had been held at the Crystal Palace. (1911). The British Government after Woirld War I embraced the idea and chose Wembley Park as the site. One of the reasons was that Governmennt figures includung Winston Churchill saw a nbeed ti show case Britain's many achievements, including the Empire. World War I had been a gastly, if necressary, undertaking and severely damaged the Vritish economy. London aas a financial center was being replaced by New York and the American Navy was beginning to challenge the Rpyal Navy's more than a century of naval suprmecy. Britain had been able to out build the German Navy, it could no longer outbuild the Americans. Britain had committed to eventually leaving India--the Jewel in the Crown (1917). Thus if an Exhibitioin was to be held, this was the time to do it. The idea was to strengthen the bonds of vpluntary association in a future Commonwealth. Trade of course was a vitally important issue. The men in Whitehall and the City yhas to ask how trade would be affected as colonial officials and businessmen began to gain increasing influence. Major Ernest Belcher organized a world tour to promote participation in the Exhibition None other than Agatha Christie and her husband among the participants.

Created: 5:08 AM 6/29/2020
Last updated: 5:08 AM 6/29/2020