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YMCA Reading Room, Wakefield during WW1
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YMCA Reading Room, Wakefield during WW1
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 32382812
© The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive / Mary Evans
Association Huts Mens Wakefield Ymca
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the YMCA Reading Room in Wakefield during World War I, a sanctuary of knowledge and comfort for soldiers and troops passing through the area. The YMCA, or Young Men's Christian Association, played a vital role in providing support and amenities for servicemen during the war, with reading rooms like this one being particularly popular. The scene is set in a Victorian or Edwardian era room, with high ceilings, large windows, and ornate decorative details. Soldiers in uniforms are seen seated at long tables, engrossed in books or maps, while others chat with one another. In the foreground, a soldier holds up a lantern, adding a sense of warmth and intimacy to the image. The room is filled with a sense of camaraderie and community, a welcome respite from the harsh realities of life on the front line. The presence of the lantern also serves as a reminder of the early days of photography and the use of lantern slides for projecting images. This photograph, from The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive Collection at Mary Evans Prints Online, offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring power of knowledge and community. The YMCA Reading Room in Wakefield was just one of many such facilities established across the country during the war, providing essential services and support to soldiers and troops. Today, this photograph stands as a testament to the importance of these institutions and the impact they had on the lives of those who passed through their doors.
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