Official caption by Upper Arlington History
This image of King George V and Queen Mary appeared in the January 1919 Norwester magazine with an article describing each of the London Y.M.C.A. "huts" belonging to the English-speaking countries fighting in the war: United States, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Australia. John Wesley Pontius described the services these huts provided for both officers and enlisted men. The Eagle Hut provided soldiers with social rooms, fireplaces, theatres, game rooms, music corners, and a "sobering room" as well as a canteen complete with a soda fountain and American food. During one visit to the Eagle Hut's American canteen, His Majesty King George V and Queen Mary sampled a "flapjack" at the flapjack stand. John W. Pontius, who authored several articles about his tour overseas, worked for the Columbus Y.M.C.A. and as the Associate Chief Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. of the American Expeditionary Forces in the United Kingdom. This job took him to Scotland, England, France, and Italy. While overseas he faithfully sent back letters and articles with his observations regarding the war and, in particular, the Y.M.C.A. facilities that he visited. These letters and articles were printed in the community magazine, the Norwester. Mr. Pontius lived at 1776 Upper Chelsea Road with his wife, Hazel (Dolin), and their daughter, Jean.

Identifier: hinw15p014i01
Date (yyyy-mm-dd): c. 1919-01
Original Dimensions: 11 cm x 7.2 cm
Format: Black and White Halftone Photograph
Source: Norwester, January 1919, page 14
Original Publisher: Upper Arlington Community (Ohio)
Repository: Upper Arlington Historical Society
Digital Publisher: Upper Arlington Public Library, UA Archives