King George V visits the Eagle Hut, WW1
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King George V visits the Eagle Hut, WW1
King George V and Queen Mary inspect a guard of honour of American soldiers at the Eagle Hut in Aldwych in July 1918 in honour of Independence Day. The YMCA supplied British servicemen away from home in the UK and overseas with a place to eat, drink, relax, and write letters home. As American troops arrived in large numbers, the organisation committed to supplying a home from home for them in Englands capital. Operating from mid-August 1917, the YMCAs Eagle Hut was officially opened on 3 September by US ambassador W.H. Page.The Eagle Hut was established by four American businessmen based in London: E.C. Carter, Robert Grant, Grant Forbes and Francis E Powell. It stood at the point where the Indian High Commission and some of Bush House now stand, slightly west of the bottom of Kingsway on the north side of Aldwych. The Club could serve up to 5000 meals a day, provide a bed for overnight stays and was run by 800 volunteers, most of them women. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14147069
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Aldwych Eagle Guard Honour Huts Independence Inspection Organisation Overseas Servicemen Visiting Ymca
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, King George V and Queen Mary pay a visit to the Eagle Hut in Aldwych, London, in July 1918, in honor of American Independence Day. The Eagle Hut, a YMCA establishment, served as a home away from home for British and American servicemen during World War I. With the arrival of large numbers of American troops in England, the YMCA made a commitment to providing a welcoming and familiar environment for them in the heart of London. The Eagle Hut, which operated from mid-August 1917, was officially opened on 3 September by the US Ambassador, W.H. Page. The initiative was spearheaded by four American businessmen based in London: E.C. Carter, Robert Grant, Grant Forbes, and Francis E. Powell. The Club, which stood where the Indian High Commission and some of Bush House now stand, slightly west of the bottom of Kingsway on the north side of Aldwych, could serve up to 5,000 meals a day and provide beds for overnight stays. It was run by 800 volunteers, the majority of whom were women. In this image, the King and Queen inspect a guard of honor of American soldiers, acknowledging their dedication and sacrifice. The Eagle Hut provided these soldiers with a much-needed respite from the rigors of military life, offering them a place to eat, drink, relax, and write letters home. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the international camaraderie and unity that emerged during the darkest days of the First World War.
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