YANKS IN GRAND PARADE WELCOMED TO LONDON

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2401

LONDON GIVES U.S. TROOPS A MOST REMARKABLE WELCOME

London (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, August 15, 1917, troops of the United States of America were given "the most remarkable welcome ever witnessed" here in London.

They were welcomed by the King, Queen, cabinet officials as well as British soldiers and civilians.  The welcome marked the city's official welcome of the United States as an ally in the Great War.

Standing at the gate of Buckingham Palace were King George, Queen Mary and other members of the Royal Family and palace staff.  The King raised his hand in salute each time the American Flag passed.

The Americans, escorted by Guard bands, marched through the city in triumph.  At Whitehall*, a cabinet meeting was adjourned to allow the officers to greet the troops.  Millions of Londoners lined the streets waving American flags.

*The Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall in London was formed in December 1916.  Originally the site was part of the main residence of the British monarchy from 1530 to 1698.

SOURCE

"London Millions, Led By King, Give U.S. Troops Wild Welcome," The Chicago Daily Tribune, August 16, 1917.

Cabinet Office

70 Whitehall

London

Photo by Miguel Discart (2016)

A LANDMARK EVENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2318

KING GEORGE & QUEEN MARY WELCOME AMERICAN SURGEONS & NURSES

London, U.K.  (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, May 23, 1917, King George and Queen Mary of Great Britain, along with the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary, welcomed surgeons and nurses of the first detachment from the United States Army.

The medical detachment will work with our British allies on the Western Front in France.  The Chicago Daily Tribune described the event as "a landmark in American history as the first of its kind to occur within the walls of Buckingham Palace."

The detachment included 25 surgeons under Major Harry L. Gilchrist* and 75 nurses all from the Cleveland, Ohio area.  

King George said...

"We deeply appreciate this prompt and generous response to our needs.  It is characteristic of the humanity and chivalry which have ever been evidenced by the American nation."

*Harry L. Gilchrist (1870-1943) joined the Army Medical Corps in 1900 & rose to the rank of Major General.  HLG served in the Philippines, Central America & Cuba.  He worked in the Army's Chemical Warfare Service from 1917-1934.

SOURCES

"George Extends Real Welcome To Americans", The Chicago Daily Tribune, May 24, 1917.

"Gilchrist, H.L.," Social Networks and Archival Context, www.socialarchive.iuth.virginia.edu/

Buckingham Palace
Photo by David Iliff (2009)
License:  CC-BY-SA 3.0