Newspaper clipping about the chapel services conducted in memory of Harry Whiteman, who died from exhaustion while serving with the YMCA in France. Whiteman was an alum of the YMCA college, graduating in 1913, and held the rank of captain in the 10th Canadian battalion, British expeditionary force, France. During these chapel exercises, Dr. Laurence L. Doggett read former letters from Whiteman, and H.M. Burr offered prayers. Due to the multinational composition of Springfield’s student body, many alumni enlisted in 1914 at the outbreak of World War One. These young men fought in northern France, particularly in the Battle of the Somme which lasted between July 1 and November 18, 1916.Aside from those in the trenches, the College’s ties with the YMCA resulted in many alumni, students and faculty going overseas to work as YMCA camp secretaries. The United States entered the World War One on April 6, 1917 and in response Springfield College offered war work courses for YMCA secretaries beginning on June 5, 1917.The training of war work secretaries and physical education directors were important contributions to the war effort by the college.
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