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Free buffet for soldiers & sailor, Victoria station, WW1
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Free buffet for soldiers & sailor, Victoria station, WW1
The free buffet for soldiers and sailors at Victoria Station, staffed by volunteers during the First World War to provide free food and drink to soldiers and sailors returning from the Front. More buffets sprung up at other London rail stations during the war.
1915
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14142941
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Buffet Buffets Departing Free Jack Leave Meals Sailor Sailors Stations
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the scene at Victoria Station in London during the First World War, where a free buffet was set up to provide sustenance and comfort to weary soldiers and sailors as they returned from the Front. The buffet, staffed by volunteers, offered a much-needed respite from the harsh realities of the battlefield, providing hot meals and refreshments free of charge. The image shows a group of soldiers and sailors gathered around a long table, surrounded by Union Jack flags and bunting. Some are seated, while others stand, chatting and laughing with each other. In the background, railways and station platforms stretch out, a reminder of the journeys they had undertaken and the long distances they had travelled. The buffet movement, which began in 1914, quickly spread to other London rail stations, providing a vital service to the thousands of servicemen and women passing through. The initiative was a testament to the spirit of community and solidarity that prevailed during the war, with ordinary people coming together to support those who were risking their lives for their country. This poignant photograph offers a glimpse into a moment of respite and camaraderie during a time of great upheaval and hardship. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the First World War, and the enduring strength and compassion of the human spirit.
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