This lantern slide, “Traveling Y.M.C.A. (1917-1918),” shows an illustration of a Y.M.C.A. vehicle. The driver stands proudly in front of the truck, while a soldier inspects the cargo.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
During World War I, the Y.M.C.A. used trucks as means of setting up temporary canteens for soldiers, such as those near the rear of trench lines, without access to Y.M.C.A. conveniences. Similar in design to food trucks today, soldiers could purchase goods such as cigarettes, donuts, and chocolate. These were primarily operated by Y.W.C.A. workers. The illustrator, William Cecil Dunford (1885-1969), spent 1916 through 1918 with the YMCA and with the Australian Forces’ Historical Record Department. In 1920 he illustrated a book written by Henry Arthur Foley titled “Three Years on Active Service and Eight Months as a Prisoner-of-War.” This slide is part of Springfield College's collection of lantern slides depicting scenes of World War I.
Slight foxing; Text on border reads, "Australian Y.M.C.A. Historical Record Section; British Traveling Y.M.C.A."
Part of the Australian Y.M.C.A. WWI Lantern Slide Series
