Photograph
1921 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This press photograph taken in 1921 shows boys in training for the Duke of York Military School's annual appearance at the Royal Tournament at Olympia.
The boys are dressed as toy soldiers, with tall hats, large buttons, and red circles on their cheeks. This photograph of serious young soldiers pretending to be at play, is an arresting image of childishness and militarism.
The boys are dressed as toy soldiers, with tall hats, large buttons, and red circles on their cheeks. This photograph of serious young soldiers pretending to be at play, is an arresting image of childishness and militarism.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gelatine print on paper |
| Brief description | Black and white press photograph, pupils of the Duke of York Military School on parade, dressed as toy soldiers, England, 1921 |
| Physical description | Black and white photograph, depicting two long rows of cadets, stepping forward with their left legs. They are dressed in tall hats, dark jackets with exaggerated buttons, and white trousers. They have circles painted on their faces to resemble toy soldiers. There is a large schoolhouse-type building in the background, and a flag pole. Two boys stand separately, holding drums. A typewritten caption has been affixed to the reverse of the print, alongside the photographers' stamp. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | DUKE OF YORK'S MILITARY SCHOOL PREPARES FOR THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT
Most of the English Military Training Schools, are now in strenuous training
preparing their displays for the forthcoming annual Royal Tournament, which
is shortly to be opened at the Olympia. Wonderful feats of drill are
displayed by these youthful soldiers at the Tournament. The Duke of York's
Military Training School at Dover, held a full dress rehearsal of their
display yesterday.
O.P.S. A scene during the dress rehearsal of the Toy soldiers, by the boys of the Duke of York's Military Training College. FGR. (Typewritten caption pasted onto reverse of photograph.) |
| Object history | The Duke of York Military School was founded in 1801 by HRH Frederick, Duke of York. The school was originally based in Chelsea, London, but at tthe turn of the 20th century moved to Dover, Kent. The first pupils, both boys and girls, joined teh school in 1803. The school was originally established as an orphanage for children of soldiers who had died in battle. It was Britain's first co-educational, state funded school. |
| Place depicted | |
| Associations | |
| Summary | This press photograph taken in 1921 shows boys in training for the Duke of York Military School's annual appearance at the Royal Tournament at Olympia. The boys are dressed as toy soldiers, with tall hats, large buttons, and red circles on their cheeks. This photograph of serious young soldiers pretending to be at play, is an arresting image of childishness and militarism. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.452-2012 |
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| Record created | May 7, 2013 |
| Record URL |
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