Tennis was recognized by the Allied Governments as one of the
most beneficial sports during the World War. Not only were the
men in service encouraged to play whenever possible, but the
Allied Governments lent official aid to the various service
tournaments held in France following the signing of the
Armistice. The importance of tennis in the eyes of the American
Government may be gleaned from the fact that great numbers of
hard courts were erected at the various big cantonments, and
organized play offered to the soldiers.

Many of the leading players who were in training in America at
the time of the National Championship, which was played solely to
raise money for the Red Cross, were granted leave from their
various stations to take part in the competition. Among the most
notable were Wallace F. Johnson, Conrad B. Doyle, Harold
Throckmorton, S. Howard Voshell, and myself, all of whom were
granted leave of two weeks or a month. Captain R. N. Williams and
Ensigns William M. Johnston and Maurice E. M'Loughlin, and many
other stars, were overseas. Official recognition at such a time
puts a stamp of approval on the game which goes far to justify
its world-wide popularity.

The tennis world lost many of its best in that titanic struggle.
The passing of so many from its ranks left gaps that will be hard
to fill.

The gallant death of Anthony F. Wilding in Flanders cost the game
one of its greatest players, and finest men. I had not the
pleasure of knowing Wilding personally yet I, like all the tennis