Springfield College Boys Among the Canadian YMCA Workers in England, France and Flanders -- An English Appreciation
Description:
Newspaper clipping discussing a letter written by Reverend George Adam of the Romford Road Congregational church in Forest Gate, London, England to the Canadian national YMCA secretary, CW Bishop of Toronto, Ontario. This letter praises the work of 25 Springfield College alumni who are participating in both association work and direct trench warfare during World War I. 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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