WW1. N.Z. SOLDIERS LONDON REFUGE "SHAKESPEARE HUT". POSTCARD. - "WRITING ROOM"

Postcard published in Britain by an unmarked publisher.

Unused. In perfect condition.

This postcard shows the writing room with several NZ soldiers present.

BACKGROUND TO THE BUILDING. ....................................................... On 11 August 1916, the most high-minded and probably the largest hut in England, a refuge for soldiers on their way to or from the horrors of the western front, was declared open by Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Over the next two years, it welcomed in more than 100,000 soldiers far from their New Zealand homes. Queen Mary visited in 1917, took up her post behind the tea counter, and poured cups for all the men.

The building offered a wholesome mixture of tea, billiards, comfortable arm chairs, narrow beds, the daily newspapers and performances on its purpose built stage by some of the best known actors of the day – all in a valiant attempt to keep the men out of the bars and brothels of nearby Soho.

........................................................ Note. We are listing a lot of Military postcards today. if you purchase more than one, you only need to pay for one lot of postage.