English: A black and white photograph of members of the 118th Battalion in Victoria Park, Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. The soldiers are gathered around the 1897 Peace Memorial, the top of which is visible under the vertical banner.

The banner bears the phrase "Berlin will be Berlin No Longer". The medallions showing the likenesses of Bismark and Von Moltke can be seen in the hands of two soldiers, who are standing below and to the left of the bottom of the banner.

The large house in the background, on the right, is on Roland Street. The large house in the background on the left, is 101 David Street, also known as the Quickfall House.

This is image is a January 2005 reprint of the original matted photograph, which is in a private collection.

The photograph appeared in the 16 March 1916 edition of the Toronto Star.

The image is believed to have been taken by Ernest Denton on 16 February 1916. Ernest Denton was a photographer in Berlin/Kitchener from approximately 1912 to 1955. He operated photography studios at various locations in the city.

It is believed that many of these soldiers had participated in the previous night's riot in Berlin, during which the Concordia Club was ransacked by soldiers and civilians, the bronze bust of Kaiser Whilhelm I stolen, and other vandalism occurred. The next day, as depicted in this image, the soldiers visited the Peace Memorial in Victoria Park and pried off the bronze medallions of Bismark and Von Moltke. On 1 March 1916, the Berlin Park Board ordered the Peace Memorial destroyed so that it would no longer be a target of vandalism.

The image may have been retouched and it is not known if the statement on the banner is original or if it has been altered in any way.

Date of Original: 16 Feb 1916 Dimensions:

   Width: 30.5 cm
   Height: 20.4 cm

Local identifier: P010396 Collection: Waterloo Historical Society Copyright Statement: Public domain: Copyright has expired according to Canadian law. No restrictions on use.

Location of Original: PB10