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1 May 1944

ww2dbaseGUIDE TO CALCUTTA
FOR SERVICEMEN

Published by the AMERICAN RED CROSS
No. 8, Dalhousie Square, East, Calcutta India. May 1944.

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WELCOME.....

This guide is published by the American Red Cross with the hope that it will make your stay in Calcutta more enjoyable.

But first we want to welcome you to the club. This is your club; your uniform is your membership card. The Staff is always at your service to help you in any way possible.

The information desk in the lounge has detailed information on churches, canteens, shopping, theaters and recreation. Someone is at the desk from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. to assist you in locating such places or you may consult the map inside this folder.

The American Red Cross Field Director, located at room 17, Stephen House, No. 5, Dalhousie Square, East, can help you with any financial problems that may arise. He will also send E.F.M. messages for you, exchange American money or contact your family in time of emergency. He is in office from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on week days and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The facilities of the club are listed on the opposite page. They are for you, so feel free to use them. In addition, there are nightly programs planned for your enjoyment. These include bridge parties, bingo nights, shows and carnivals, birthday parties and a dance every Sunday evening from eight until eleven o'clock. Watch the bulletin board in the hall for the dates.

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CLUB FACILITIES

LOUNGE: Open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Information Desk, stationery, playing cards, magazines, piano, phonograph. Sign up for swimming and horseback riding.

LIBRARY: Writing tables, books and magazines, State registration books.

RESTAURANT: Open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 12 noon to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10-30 p.m.

GAME ROOM AND BILLIARD ROOM: Equipment may be obtained from staff members.

DORMITORY REGISTRATION DESK: Located in rear lobby. Theater tickets may also be procured of this desk.

TELEPHONE CALLS: Use phone in rear lobby. Long distance calls may be made by arrangement with Club Director.

MESSAGES: Telephone messages will be posted on blackboard in rear lobby. Written messages may be left at Message Center at the Dormitory Registration Desk.

CENSORING SERVICE: Packages censored. Materials available for wrapping packages in room beyond billiard room.

CHECK ROOM: Check all valuables, extra money, packages etc. in the safe with cashier. First-aid supplies may be obtained in check room. Please keep your possessions locked up.

LAUNDRY: May be left in upstairs check room. Price list posted.

BARBER: Adjoining upstairs shower room. On duty from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eight annas for hair cut. Four annas for shave.

PRESSING AND MENDING: Opposite dormitory check room. No charge.

SHOWERS: May be used by non-residents. Secure towel, soap, and sandals at check room at head of stairs. No charge.

POST-EXCHANGE is operated in the club by the Army.

[Inside you will find what to do and where to go in Calcutta. For more detailed information, ask at the Information Desk.]

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ABOUT CALCUTTA

Calcutta has a population of 2,108,891 according to the census of 1941. It is the second largest city in the British Empire.

The climate is tropical. The maximum temperature is about 106° and the minimum 48°.

The city is situated on the Hooghly river, a tributary of the famous Ganges river. Because of her excellent port, it is one of the largest shipping centres in the world.

Calcutta was founded in 1690, by Job Charnock, an Englishman, who obtained a grant of the tract of land on which the Northern part of Calcutta now stands.

Calcutta is the nerve center of the jute trade of Bengal. The banks of the Hooghly river are lined with jute mills, factories, rice and paper mills, iron foundries and printing presses.

Calcutta has been called by poets, "The city of palaces," because here some of the finest building in the world can be found. Victoria Memorial, the Marble Palaces, Jain Temple, the Nokhada Mosque and the Government House area examples of this.

[If you are interested in seeing Calcutta, bus tours leave each day from in front of the club. For full particulars ask at the Information Desk or consult the bulletin board in the hall.]

PRINTED BY "ESSCO" PRESS, CALCUTTA.

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GUIDE TO CALCUTTA

RESTAURANTS

Bristol Hotel - 2, Chowringhee Road. Across from tram depot. Steaks.

Peiping - Chinese - Park Street near Chowringhee.

Chungwah - Chinese - 8/1, Central Avenue.

Firpo's - Chowringhee Road, near Lindsay Street. also Services Restaurant on Old Court House Street (near Great Eastern Hotel).

Magnolia - Soda Fountain. 12K, Park Street. Light lunches, sandwiches. Also in Grand Hotel Arcade.

Christie's - Park Street, just off Chowringhee Road.

Arizona - 2, Lindsay Street. Confectioners.

Flury and Trinca - 18, Park Street. Sandwiches, cakes and tea.

Ferrazzini's Ltd. - Humayun Court, 21, Lindsay Street. Sandwiches, cakes and tea.

Jimmy's Kitchen - 14, Chowringhee Road.

"V" Cafe - 17, Park Street. All meals.

Holiday Inn - Grand Hotel Arcade. Open until 11 p.m.

THEATERS:

Metro - 2:30, 5:45, 9 p.m. 5, Chowringhee Road. Air-conditioned.

Elite - 2:30, 5:45, 9 p.m. Corporation Street.

Globe - 2:30, 5:45, 9 p.m. Lindsay Street opposite New Market.

Regal - 11 a.m., 2:45, 5:45, 9 p.m. Corporation Street.

Light House - 2:30, 5:45, 9 p.m. Humayan Place. Air-conditioned.

New Empire - 2:30, 5:45, 9 p.m. Humayan Place, behind Firpo's. Air-conditioned.

Tickets for the New Empire, Metro and Lighthouse theaters may be obtained at the cashier's window.

RECREATION:

Cycling - Bicycles may be hired from S. A. Rahman, 9, Kyd Street at 3 annas per hour and from Yakub, 7, British India Street.

Riding - Ballygunge Riding School. Near Ballygunge Maidan. 1, Bediadanga Road, off Bondel Road. Charges: Rs. 5/- per hour and Rs. 3/- for each subsequent hour or part of an hour. Phone, PK. 1162.

Roller Skating - Skating Club of Calcutta, 3-B, Outram Street. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Roller skates may be rented at As. 8 per hour. Refreshments available at all times.

Swimming - Calcutta Swimming Club, 1, Strand Road. This is a private club but special arrangements have been made for enlisted men to swim there Monday thru Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. You must sign up at the Information Desk in the lounge.

Golf - Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Tollygunge. This is a private club but enlisted men may play free of charge. Monday thru Friday, starting not later than 5 p.m. A few clubs and balls available. Do no tip caddy more than 12 or 13 annas.

DANCING:

Firpo's - Every night except Sunday. 9:30 to 10:45 p.m.

Princes - (Grand Hotel) Saturday: Dinner dance 9:30 to 12 mid-night. Out of bounds to ranks below Sergeant.

Casanova - (Grand Hotel) Every evening, 8 until 11:30 p.m. Open to all ranks except officers.

Winter Garden - (Grand Hotel) Every night except Sunday, 7 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday 8 to 11 p.m.

Y.M.C.A. - 42, Corporation Street. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Continental Services Club - Chowringhee Road. Dancing Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Club open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

CHURCHES NEAR THE CLUB:

Catholic - St. Thomas', 7, Middleton Row. Mass at 6, 7, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Congregational - Union Congregational Church, 137, Dharamtala Street. 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Episcopalian - St. Paul's Cathedral, Chowringhee Road. 6:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Methodist - Thoburn Methodist Church, 152, Dharamtala Street. 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Presbyterian - Church of Scotland, 15, Dalhousie Square. 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Synagogue - Maghen David Synagogue, 109, Canning Street. 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

LODGES:

Masonic Hall - 19, Park Street. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week days. Half day on Saturday and closed on Sunday. Meetings every evening. Begin about 6:30 p.m.

SHOPPING CENTERS:

Army and Navy Stores - 41, Chowringhee Road. Department store.

Hall and Anderson's - Chowringhee Road at Park Street. Department store.

Whiteaway and Laidlaw Co. - 7, Chowringhee Road. Department store.

The New Market - (Sir Stuart Hogg Market) Lindsay Street in back of Grand Hotel. An arcade of stores where nearly everything may be obtained.

Bengal Home Industries - 57, Chowringhee Road. Gift shop.

Good Companions - 3, Russell Street. Gift Shop. Closed from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Newman and Co. - 3, Old Court House Street. Book store.

Thacker Spink and Co. - 3, Esplanade, East. Book store.

Oxford Book Shop - 17, Park Street. Book store.

MISCELLANEOUS:

American Consulate - No. 3, Esplanade Mansion

[The map inside will help you locate the above places or ask at the Information Desk in the lounge.]

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[Map] ww2dbase

Source(s):
Harry H. Peters Collection

Added By:
C. Peter Chen

Photographs

See all 5 photographs of Guide to Calcutta

Maps

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