The American Red Cross Clubmobile was conceived by Harvey D. Gibson, Red Cross Commissioner to Great Britain, who wanted to create a mobile service club. Early Clubmobiles were remodeled London Green Line buses driven by an English driver and operated by three American women. Each Clubmobile contained a kitchen with a built-in doughnut machine and a primus stove for heating water for coffee. The rear of the Clubmobile contained a lounge with built-in benches that could be converted into bunks. Each Clubmobile carried a Victrola with loud speakers, current phonograph albums, paperback books, cigarettes, candy, and gum. These Clubmobiles were stationed in a town near American Army installations and followed a routine of going to different bases each day where the Clubmobilers would talk to servicemen while they served coffee and doughnuts and played music.
In 1944, in preparation for the invasion of Normandy, two-and-a-half-ton GMC trucks were converted into Clubmobiles containing kitchens with doughnut machines and coffee urns. Like the larger Clubmobiles, the GMC trucks contained Victrolas and a supply of albums, cigarettes, books, candy, and gum. These Clubmobiles were staffed by three American women, one of whom would drive the truck in addition to serving soldiers. They traveled with the rear echelon of the Army Corps and received their orders from the Army.
The Red Cross required Clubmobilers to be between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five, to have at least some college education, and some work experience. In addition, they had to be healthy, "physically hardy," sociable, and attractive. Clubmobiles were arranged into ten groups identified by a letter of the alphabet and were managed by the group leader who was responsible for personnel issues, supplies, and housing for Clubmobilers in her group. Each group was comprised of several clubmobiles, which were staffed by three women, one of whom was the crew captain and was responsible for reports, personnel issues, and coordination with the group captain and Army concerning assignments.
Clubmobiles were given names of states and cities in the United States, although many clubmobiles were unofficially renamed by their crews. They served troops in England, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, until May 7, 1945. A limited number of Clubmobiles continued service in Great Britain and Germany through 1946.
From the guide to the Collection, (inclusive), (bulk), 1940-1998, 1943-1946, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)
