This lantern slide, “Australian Soldiers (1917-1918),” shows a group of Australian soldiers, sitting, writing letters, and reading newspapers in what may be a Y.M.C.A. canteen. There is one woman in the hunt, possibly passing out mail or food, and she is likely a Y.M.C.A. war worker. Across the ceiling hangs a row of Allied flags, and on the left side of the room is the Star of David.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
During World War I, the Australian Y.M.C.A 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. In the leave areas, Y.M.C.A. secretaries provided educational, athletic, recreational, and entertainment programs. They operated canteens, writing rooms, libraries, organized excursions, dances, guided tours, hikes, and games. By the end of World War I, the Y.M.C.A. operated nineteen leave areas in France. This slide is part of a collection of lantern slides depicting scenes of Australian YMCA war work during World War I.
Slide shows mild foxing; Text on side reads, "Commercial Photographic Co.; Australian Y.M.C.A. Historical Record Section."
Part of the Australian Y.M.C.A. WWI Lantern Slide Series
