Photograph details

© Transport for London
Collection of London Transport Museum
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Armistice Day parade, with 'Ole Bill', registration number: LN4743 (B43), one of the B-type buses that were used to transport troops in France in the First World War, driving past a crowd of spectators. A man in LGOC (London General Omnibus Company) uniform, and wearing medals, stands to attention on the top deck, whilst the driver and two other men occupy the front seats. The bus has been decorated with poppy wreaths. It is flanked by standard bearers; more marchers can be seen, background left. The names on the side of the bus commemorate some of the battles in which the LGOC buses were used.

Photographed by Topical Press, circa 1920

Image no: M8914

Inventory no: 1998/75682

20th Century London caption: The first Armistice Day in 1918 was a celebration of the end of years of bitter hardship. The following year, more sombre crowds lined the streets of central London to watch the Armistice Day parade. From 1919 to 1950, the parade for the war dead was held on 11 November each year. This one took place around 1920. Central to the photo is the B-type bus popularly known as 'Ole Bill'. It was one of nearly 1,000 London buses used to transport troops in France and Belgium during the First World War. A man in a London General Omnibus Company uniform is riding in the open top deck. Around the bus, veteran soldiers in bowler hats are carrying flags and marching. They are wearing their medals on their coats. One man has only one arm and it is likely he was wounded during the war.

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