Rest and Leisure
03	Life at the Front	Behind the Front Lines
Rest and Leisure Annual Leave Fraternization
Soldiers did not spend all of their time fighting in the trenches or preparing for battle. There was leisure time, especially when soldiers rotated to the rear areas.
Rotation in and out of the Trenches
Soldiers rotated into and out of the front lines to provide a break from the stress of combat. They spent four to six days in the front trenches before moving back and spending an equal number of days in the secondary and, finally, the reserve trenches. This system of rotation, along with occasional leave to England, prevented many soldiers from breaking down.
Relaxation in a YMCA Hut
There was more free time in the rear areas, even though soldiers were ordered to train and provide work parties for the front. When not engaged in these activities, soldiers could idle away hours in a YMCA hut, often the centre of a soldier's social life. The huts provided a quiet space in the daytime to catch up on reading and writing, and a gathering space for concerts or lectures in the evening.
Sports for Healthy Stress Relief
Sports also relieved the stress of war and the monotony of soldiering. The army saw sports as good for morale, fitness, and keeping soldiers out of trouble. The soldiers loved their games, baseball most of all.
Keep exploring with these topics:
Maintaining Morale
Civilian Reintegration
Objects & Photos
YMCA Captain Robert Pearson umpires behind the plate at a baseball game held in the Canadian lines. The crowd of Canadian soldiers speaks to baseball's appeal. The army, the YMCA, and the Salvation Army formally organized sports, which were thought to contribute to good health and keep soldiers out of trouble.
"Whiz Bang"
A YMCA Hut
Canadian Championship Athletic Meet
Canadian Troops Return from Trenches
Cyril Green's Sports Medal
Line-up at a YMCA Hut
New YMCA Canteen
Officers' Race
Out of the Line
Pull!
Reserve Trench
Rest and Repair