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At the Eagle Hut by Helen McKie
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At the Eagle Hut by Helen McKie
Sketches of members of the American Army and Navy enjoying the comforts of the Eagle Hut in Aldwych, London. 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 14131977
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Aldwych Clubs Comfort Comforts Eagle Helen Mckie Organisation Relax Relaxation Servicemen Ymca
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At the Eagle Hut
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a poignant sketch by Helen McKie capturing the essence of the YMCA's Eagle Hut in Aldwych, London during World War I. The image portrays American soldiers and sailors enjoying the comforts of this unique establishment, which served as a home away from home for thousands of servicemen stationed in the UK. Established in 1917 by four American businessmen - E.C. Carter, Robert Grant, Grant Forbes, and Francis E. Powell - the Eagle Hut was a vital hub of activity in the heart of London. Situated where the Indian High Commission and parts of Bush House now stand, the Club was a stone's throw from the bottom of Kingsway on the north side of Aldwych. As the number of American troops in the UK grew, the YMCA recognized the need to cater specifically to their needs. The Eagle Hut was officially opened on September 3, 1918, by US Ambassador W.H. Page. This remarkable facility could serve up to 5,000 meals daily and accommodate overnight stays for weary soldiers. The Club was run by an impressive force of 800 volunteers, most of whom were women. The Eagle Hut provided a much-needed respite for soldiers and sailors, offering them a place to eat, drink, relax, and write letters home. The Club's walls bore testament to the camaraderie and spirit of the men who passed through its doors. This poignant scene by Helen McKie encapsulates the spirit of the Eagle Hut, a beacon of comfort and companionship amidst the turmoil of war. This evocative image is a testament to the enduring power of community and the importance of providing a sense of belonging, especially during times of hardship and uncertainty. The YMCA's Eagle Hut stands as a symbol of hope and resilience, a reminder of the indomitable human spirit that shines through even in the darkest of times.
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