The Canadian Lounge – an oasis of games and relaxation at Talbot House
A view that stirred the soul
During World War I, Talbot House in Poperinge served as an oasis of rest for thousands of soldiers. It was a unique “Every Man's Club”, where men could escape the horror of the war for a while. In this place of comfort, care was taken of the body (Realm of the Body), the mind (Realm of the Heart and Mind) and the soul (Realm of the Soul).
In June 1917, a group of Newfoundlanders added a special extension that enhanced the Realm of the Heart and Mind: a lively games room on the flat roof of of the Old House.
The flat roof of the first-floor extension offered a beautiful view of the garden. Perhaps it was this view that inspired Donald Cox to write this poignant poem The Balcony:
THE BALCONY
This is no balcony above the blue
Soft lapping waters of a still lagoon;
Where maidens wonder if their lads be true,
And will come soon.
Nor from the ground does Romeo’s loving song
Thrill the night air to tell his Juliet
That though true lovers’ paths be hard and long,
He’ll not forget.
More beautiful is this. Those few green trees,
Among whose branches vagrant breezes roam,
Tell of grey towns, green fields and sparkling seas,
That men call Home.
Eerste Halte, p. 214
The birth of the Canadian Lounge
That same roof was transformed into a fully-fledged relaxation area by a group of Newfoundlanders in the summer of 1917. Within a single day, they managed to turn this into a “games room”. An ingenious but also crazy construction. The whole thing was supported by a telephone pole that had been rammed - not without damage - right through the lead and tile floor below. The damaged tile between kitchen and dining room is a reminder of this today.
For the walls and the roof, they used rabbit wire, lined with cardboard on the inside and felt on the outside and with linen windows. A staircase, which remained even years after the war, provided access to the “Canadian Lounge”.
Relaxation and connection
Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Canadian Lounge quickly became a lively hub for chess, draughts, table tennis or conversation. It could accommodate about 70 men and became a cosy games room, with comfortable chairs and even hammocks.
At the time, Tubby - the founder of Talbot House - also moved his room into the adjoining space, so that he could always keep an eye on things.
Veni, Vidi, Vici
The Lounge soon became known for its spirited tournaments. One story from the autumn of 1917 stands out, as told by Tubby himself:
My memory goes back to one wet night, late in the Autumn of 1917, when all our 14 Chess Boards were set out in the Canadian Lounge. The semi-finalists played at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m. the finalists were bloodily engaged, when I was summoned to the old front door by Pettifer to see an unknown gunner who was a middle-aged man, muddy and tired.
He said to me, “I hear you’ve got some Chessmen.” And I said, “Yes, no less than fourteen boards, though all of them are in use for the time being, but if you come and wait you will get a game.”
He paused to have a single cup of tea while I explained to him what was occurring. All neighbouring Units had sent in their Champions and fourteen final rounds were now proceeding. He said to me “Can you arrange this for me?” I should be glad to play the winners.” I said, “What do you mean? It is half-past seven and the House closes at nine. Even supposing that they are all winning it would take you all night to play the lot!” Then he replied, “I don’t mean that at all. I want to play the fourteen games at once.”
I told the Champions, and they were amused, but once more set the boards. Then he came in, and as an unknown gunner in the Salient walked up and down the lines, played fourteen games, and within half an hour won twelve and drew with two. He then said “Goodnight.” and vanished in the darkness of the Salient. I never knew his name!
(P.B. Clayton)
The draughts champion
Not all battles in the Lounge were on the chessboard. In August 1917, S. Bradbury of the Seaforth Regiment recalled a day when his friend Jim "Middy" went up against an Australian sergeant renowned for defeating every opponent at draughts.
The following day (= 13 August 1917), my pal Middy, who is a first class draughts player took on a big burly Australian Sergeant who was greatly impressing a large crowd in the Talbot House grounds by his skill at the game, beating all who tackled him until Jim (Middy) calmly took his seat as the Australian’s opponent.
The crowd looked on with keen interest and so did I, but we had not to wait long for a decision in the first game. The Australian was wiped off the board in a very few moves, much to his disgust and aggravation. The following two or three games, though a little stiffer, ended with the same result and the crowd looked on Jim as a hero and were delighted to see the Australian beaten. The latter then turned very nasty and followed us into the garden, requesting Jim to play one or two fancy trick games on the board for five francs but as we only had half a franc between us this was out of the question. The Australian made the most of this and alleged to the men standing round that Jim was afraid to play him at his own game. However, we cleared out and left him to it, but on several occasions when we entered the Club and saw him playing novices before a crowd of fellows it was he who immediately cleared out on seeing us, being afraid to again play Jim at the proper game.
(S. Bradbury, Seaforth Regiment, war diary – written in 1923)
Until the very end of the war, the Canadian Lounge remained a lively, welcoming space in the Realm of the Heart and Mind. More than just a games room, it was a place of connection and humanity – where soldiers could forget the war, if only for a moment and immerse themselves in competition, friendship and laughter.
Sources:
Nolf, K., & Louagie, J. (1998). De eerste halte na de hel: Talbot House, Poperinge. Lannoo.
Louagie, J. (2015). A Touch of Paradise in Hell. Helion & Company Limited.
