In July 1917, Ruth Darwin began volunteer work at an 'English Canteen' established in the Argonne region in eastern France. It was one of fifty or so Cantine des Dames Anglaises organised by the British Committee of the French Red Cross where English women served refreshments and organised entertainments for French soldiers. Ruth volunteered at a 'Foyer de Cantonnement', a particular class of canteen with recreation rooms where men could sit and read, smoke, play games and write letters. On arrival in France, Ruth assisted in the setting up of a Foyer de Soldat (Soldier's Home) in Avenay where she remained until it was abandoned in May 1918 following the German Spring offensive. Thereafter, Ruth worked in Sainte-Menehould and, after the Armistice, set up a refugee shelter in Reims where she remained until May 1919 before returning home to England. Contains photograph albums and loose photographs of the Foyer de Soldat in Avenay, postcards of Avenay, Ambonnay, Troyes, Vertus and Paris, French postcards depicting sketches of scenes from the war in France.