The Lost Shakespeare Hut
The refuge for New Zealand troops returning from war.
Location: Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, WC1E 7HT
Description: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (informally the LSHTM) is a prestigious public research university, opened here in 1929.
The school was originally founded in 1899 by Sir Patrick Manson as the London School of Tropical Medicine, and was based at the Albert Dock Seamen's Hospital in the London Docklands.
However, this site is more famous as the home to the Shakespeare Hut, refuge for recuperating soldiers on their return from the horrors of the frontline in 1916.
It was close to the anniversary of Shakespeares death and plans for a theatre here were abandoned when the war started. The YMCA were tasked with erecting thousands of prefabricated buildings in the UK and abroad with troops. This was the largest structure they built, and they went to town on it. The Mock-tudor style building housed a billiard room, a mini theatre, barbers shop, and more.
It housed over 100,000 troops mostly from New Zealand, with Queen Mary visiting in 1917 to help serve tea!
It was demolished in 1924.
The refuge for New Zealand troops returning from war. |
Ranking This Month: 3011/3068
Pages Hit This Month: 13
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
WW2 bravery pilot crashed here», 5.7km
Nelson Arms», 7.6km
Christine Granville lived here», 3.1km
St. Ermins Hotel», 1.5km
Coalhouse Fort», 24.km
Secret Tunnels - 100 feet down», 0.8km
Rorkes Hero Hitch lived here», 5.6km
Druid's Arch Bombing», 2.6km
Wartime BBC Overseas Services», 0.5km
First Bomb of World War 1», 3.3km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»