British women, wearing thick coats and elaborate headdresses, are being welcomed by a gentleman and two rows of Boy Scouts as they exit a car during World War I. Streetcar behind is labeled "Aldgate Ilford " They enter an unidentified building with a large sign outside advertising "Scouts" Also on on the building is a poster advertising an April, 1917 meeting with "Nourishing Food" and "Come Early" with the partial title "The Lycell ". Two boys in the crowd drink porridge from pitcher and bowl.
Scene opens showing the statue of British Women's suffrage movement leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, located in Victoria Tower Gardens next to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster. (This was erected in her memory, in 1930, two years after her death.) A World War 1 parade of women in clothing of religious orders; nurses; some military; and academics. One group carries a banner reading "Demonstrate-Trained Nurses." It also depicts What appears to be an Angel of Mercy and an appeal to buy war bonds. They are followed by women carrying a large British Union Jack, and by others, in academic garb, carrying banners of academic institutions. (This march was probably organized by the "Women's Party," the 1917 group founded by the Panghursts' to replace their "Women's Social and Political Union." The new party emphasized support for the British war effort.) Scene shifts to suffragist Emmeline Pankhurst (sometimes called a suffragette) viewed from camera behind her right shoulder as she addresses a large crowd. She is standing on a roofed platform in a park-like setting. The audience is mostly civilian, but a soldier is seen here or there. Several London Bobbies are in the audience, close to the speaker's stand. The next scene shows pedestrians gathered near Buckingham Palace, in London. A number of Bobbies (London policemen) are present, some on foot and some on horseback. The Queen Victoria monument is visible in the background. A horse-drawn carriage passes in front of the camera. Next, a woman is seen being arrested by two Bobbies, as passersby watch. An automobile passes and then the woman and police are seen approaching the camera as more officers become involved, keeping spectators away. In the final scene, in the 1920s, a man standing in front of a large group of women, congratulates one (probably Christabel Pankhurst). Closeup shows, from left to right, the man; a somewhat tired-looking Emmeline Pankhurst; and her daughter, Christabel.
Brief glimpse of ceremonial carriage arriving at Guildhall (71 Basinghall St, London EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom), carrying Colonial Members of the Empire Council upon whom the Freedom of London is to be conferred. Elaborately uniformed attendants, carrying ceremonial maces, greet the carriage. An honoree, replete in powdered wig, steps from the carriage. An automobile is parked at curb in background. A London Bobbie and a gentleman and man in uniform stand on the sidewalk.
Trade Union conference at Caxton Hall in London, England (Caxton Hall10 Caxton St, London SW1H 0AQ, UK). Labour Delegates Mr. W J Davis, Mr. J.A Seddon, Mr. Joseph Havelock Wilson, and Mr. David Gilmour at the Trade Union conference. They had refused to work with the Pacifists. Dignitaries talk, shake hands, and walk away. A dignitary comes out of a building, meet others and they go.
Labor and union leader Samuel Gompers visits his boyhood home in London, England. Samuel Gompers seen amid a large crowd. People gather to see him.
A German Zeppelin airship during World War 1. It has the word "Schwaben" written on it. (Presumably from Schwaben, Germany). It is seen taking off from the ground in Germany, soaring above a German city and out over the sea. Narration indicates it is on a London bombing run, scheduled to arrive over London around midnight. Next scene shows the Zeppelin in flames and crashing into the North Sea the next day.