When the United States entered the First World War, U.S. Commander-in-Chief General John Pershing signed General Order 26-II-1 which established servicemen’s centers in Europe. The General Order, published on August 28, 1917, stated that the Y.M.C.A. would “provide for the amusement and recreation of the troops by means of its usual programme of social, physical, educational, and religious services”. The Eagle Hut in London opened on September 3, 1917 and was staffed by around 800 volunteers.
