2-941-388 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Trafalgar Square, St James, Westminster, City of Westminster, Greater London Authority, 1919. A view across a fountain in Trafalgar Square towards a large crowd of people gathered to buy Victory Loan bonds. After the First World War the British government was heavily in debt and one of the ways they raised money was by selling Victory Loan bonds and certificates to the public. At this event, tents were erected in Trafalgar Square with bunting and patriotic slogans attached to Nelson's Column to advertise the sale of the bonds. This photograph is one of a group the photographer took in Trafalgar Square on the same day showing people buying Victory Loan bonds at about midday and then later on celebrating peace at about 6pm.