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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

YMCA huts/canteens in Salonika?


YMCAGreece

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Hi everyone,

 

We know that the BEF operated canteens on the Salonika Front. The French had their own Foyers du Soldat, and, late in the war (from April 1917), operated such Foyers in Salonika under the Union Franco-Américaine name.

 

I'm trying to find out if the British YMCA also operated canteens/huts in or around Salonika (how many, where, when). Anyone can help?

 

Thanks!

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  • 2 months later...

The YMCA were fairly active on the front and it is interesting to note that they recruited people in late 1918  to provide classes for soldiers who were awaiting demob in the period after the armistice, amongst them Gustav Holst, the composer who worked in Thessaloniki from late November  1918 onwards and later moved on to Constantinople in a similar role. That said, I cannot add much more about their activities.

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  • 2 months later...

You may be interested in this reference from the War Diary of the 78th Field Ambulance WO 95/4867 on 2nd July 1918: "KIREC -Sanitary inspection of YMCA Camp - many improvements required . Reported to Brigade HQ and obtained working party from 12th A&S Highlanders." 

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 12/10/2019 at 20:15, Ruth Bentley said:

My grandfather was with the YMCA in Salonika and met with Gustav Holst. I am just transcribing his diaries of the time. If you would like to see them please let me know.

Dear Ruth, apologies for the very late reply. Yes I would be very interested to see them. Please let me know how.

On 06/09/2019 at 02:10, MartinWills said:

The YMCA were fairly active on the front and it is interesting to note that they recruited people in late 1918  to provide classes for soldiers who were awaiting demob in the period after the armistice, amongst them Gustav Holst, the composer who worked in Thessaloniki from late November  1918 onwards and later moved on to Constantinople in a similar role. That said, I cannot add much more about their activities.

Thank you

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