YMCA Recreation during World War I (1917)

Item Information

Title:
YMCA Recreation during World War I (1917)
Description:
This lantern slide, “YMCA Recreation during World War I (1917),” shows a group of soldiers playing a game on the front lawn of Sutton Veny. A large group of men watches the sport in a semicircle, facing away from the house.
Date:
1917
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Lantern Slide Collection
Subjects:
International Young Men's Christian Association
World War, 1914-1918
Lantern slides
Extent:
3.25x3.25 in
Link to Item:
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/2924
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
During World War I, the Australian Y.M.C.A. ran soldiers’ clubs in Cairo, Alexandria, and elsewhere. They also pooled their resources with the United States, Canada, England, and New Zealand to form the International Hospitality League, which provided social services to all Allied troops. Sutton Veny, formerly Greenhill House, is located in the Upper Wylye Valley, near Warminster and Salisbury Plain in England. The structure itself was built between 1804 and 1816 by William Hinton and remained in the Hinton family until 1856. During World War I, the Greenhill House was a YMCA for officers and soldiers in the area. After the British battalions left for France in 1915 and 1916, the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces stationed in the village and surrounding area took the home to their hearts. An excerpt from a YMCA brochure of the time states: “Situated in the midst of the largest AIF training and convalescent depots in Great Britain, this mansion, containing over 50 rooms, and with spacious lawns and grounds, offered ideal possibilities for rest and recuperation for war weary troops... There are no charges—with the exception of the buffets—for any of the attractions, to which the YMCA is constantly adding. A more charmingly arranged home than Greenhill House it would be impossible to find, and among the staff—the majority who are Australians—there is a spirit of unity that is so essential to the success of every undertaking, whether work or sport.” This slide is part of Springfield College’s collection of lantern slides depicting Australian Y.M.C.A. war work during World War I.
Text on border reads, "Greenhill House, Anzac sport; Australian Y.M.C.A. Historical Record Section."
Part of the Australian Y.M.C.A. WWI Lantern Slide Series
Identifier:
LS-05-29